Sometimes big news gets lost in the Twittersphere, but the Illinois football team made another big top list a little over a week ago.
A position that will be solid this upcoming season but is going to need more depth sooner than later is at defensive tackle. The Illini have a nice group right now but there will be a lot of playing time available in the next year or so. That is why getting someone like Willis Singleton Jr. would be big for the program.
Singleton is a 6-foot-1, 301-pound defensive tackle from Warren Township High School in Gurnee, Illinois. He is rated as a three-star recruit who is the No. 1031 player in the class of 2020 and the No. 73 defensive tackle in the nation. He is also the No. 19 player in the state of Illinois as well.
There are so many teams who are vying for Singleton’s commitment. But he has decided that only four programs are standing out to him right now. Back on May 13, Singleton decided to cut his list down to four teams and included the likes of Iowa State, Cincinnati, Louisville and Illinois. This is a list that I believe Illinois has a strong shot at beating.
Top 4... It’s a blessing to be in this position, thank you all!!! pic.twitter.com/5c3D0WbI8O
— J.R. Singleton (@willissingjr) May 13, 2019
The middle of the defensive line for the Illini looks great entering the upcoming season. There will be a rotation of Jamal Milan, Kenyon Jackson, Tymir Oliver and Calvin Avery. Those are four solid defensive tackles. But Milan, Jackson and Oliver will be gone after this season. That leaves a massive gap in the Illinois defense. I am not sure who will be able to step up and fill that big need for the program.
Singleton could come in year one and, potentially, see starts for the Illini. There will be enough playing time to go around, so that is one huge reason why getting him to come to Champaign would be big for the team. The playing time in there, and he is needed. I also think snagging an in-state kid is always a huge plus in the recruiting game. Getting him and Kevo Wesley would be a big step in the right direction with in-state recruiting.
Illinois needs more interior defensive linemen. Singleton would be a good option to help fill the void that will be left by departing players after this season. He is an important player for this program.