Since Lovie Smith took over the Illinois football program, Texas has been a priority state when it comes to recruiting.
Lovie has put a coaching staff around him that can help him recruit the Lone Star State and, so far, it has worked out nicely. The first class Lovie had success with Texas recruits was in 2018. He was able to snag both Kievan Myers, a three-star, and Calvin Avery, a four-star, to help bolster the offensive and defensive line.
The class of 2019 added to the momentum that 2018 built. This class was highlighted by Marquez Beason, a four-star recruit. He will be able to help shut down opposing offenses who try to throw against us.
The offense will be improved because of the talent coming in from Texas as well. Running back Kyron Cumby, a three-star, should help in the backfield, and wide receiver Casey Washington, a three-star, is another solid option for whoever the quarterback is going to be. Let’s also not forget Dalevon Campbell who is transferring in from the junior college ranks. He is another option at wide receiver.
Illinois’ connection with the state of Texas has helped bring in another level of talent for the program. The class of 2020 has a chance to be another solid pull from Texas as well. There are a handful of talented players who are eyeing the Illini. One top talent who has a strong interest in the Orange and Blue is Jay Wilkerson.
Wilkerson is a 6-foot-0.5, 157-pound wide receiver from Heritage High School in Midlothian, Texas. He is rated as a three-star recruit who is the No. 609 player in the class of 2020 and the No. 110 wide receiver in the nation. He is also the No. 84 player in the state of Texas as well.
The first official visit is off the board for Wilkerson. He took an official visit to SMU on June 19. He now only has four more official visits left, but who will get one of those coveted spots? The Writing Illini had a chance to chat with Wilkerson about what his plans were moving forward.
“I will be taking an official visit to Illinois during the season,” said Wilkerson, “but I haven’t set any other ones yet.”
Illinois has already received an unofficial visit from Wilkerson just a few weeks ago. This came a few months after the scholarship offer was extended to him. We tried to lock down around when he was thinking about taking that visit during the season.
“Probably the first home game,” said Wilkerson.
The first home game is a great idea for an official visit. Illinois goes up against Akron, which should be an easy win for the Orange and Blue. We have a chance to play some solid football. Winning this season will help with recruiting players in the future. While winning is going to happen, Wilkerson also sees what is going on with the program as a whole. He let the Writing Illini know what attracts him to Illinois.
“The coaching,” said Wilkerson, “Coach Stoker is a great coach, and I feel like him and the rest of the coaching staff can put me in the right position to make plays.”
The coaching staff is great and having wide receivers coach Andrew Hayes-Stoker on the staff has been amazing for recruiting the state of Texas. Illinois also has been developing their facilities and Wilkerson is taking notice.
“And I’m also blown away by the new facility they are building,” said Wilkerson.
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It looks like Illinois is getting an official visit from Wilkerson. But we just have to wait until the season starts. Illinois is doing everything right to land this kid. They have the coaching, the facilities and the available playing time. Wilkerson would be a great addition to an up-and-coming program.