A lot of big names and talented recruits will be visiting the Illinois football program this weekend.
The annual cookout called Grill on the Grove takes place on July 26 and will feature some great players who could help the Illini. Most of the recruits who will be up for this cookout are currently 2020 targets. A big-time defensive lineman who is coming up is Sawyer Goram-Welch.
Goram-Welch is a 6-foot-4, 278-pound defensive tackle from Longview High School in Longview, Texas. He is rated as a three-star recruit who is the No. 894 player in the class of 2020 and the No. 68 defensive tackle in the nation. He is also the No. 126 player in the state of Texas.
There are a lot of teams after Goram-Welch but there are only a few who seem to be making the kid a priority. He mentioned to the Writing Illini that Illinois has been recruiting him very well. He also mentioned that he has been talking with SMU a lot and has an unofficial visit scheduled with Oklahoma State.
Back on June 6, Goram-Welch took his first official visit to SMU. He also took an unofficial visit up to Champaign on June 18. With an unofficial visit scheduled with Oklahoma State in the near future, it seems like these three teams are the front-runners right now. But what does this talented defensive tackle think about each of these programs?
Illinois – “I love the Illinois coaching staff and the vision they have for the future and how they plan to use me in games. I like the thought of maybe playing in the Big Ten with Illinois”
Oklahoma State – “I haven’t been to OK State yet, so I am not sure. I am intrigued by them since they have produced multiple winning seasons in years past.”
SMU – “I like SMU’s enthusiasm and how the coaching staff is like a family, and how much they are bought into the program.”
With only one official visit in the books, there are only four more on the table for Goram-Welch. He mentioned to the Writing Illini that he doesn’t have anything planned right now. He is coming up to Illinois on the 26th – Grill on the Grove – and then he might take an official during the season to Champaign. But he isn’t sure about the others yet.
A decision isn’t likely coming soon, but Goram- Welch is more of a feel guy. He has an idea of a commitment deadline but it all could change with a good visit.
“Possibly after the regular season but before the playoffs, but it will vary because if I am 100-percent sure that I want to go to that school, I’ll commit immediately. It just depends on how the visits go,” said Goram-Welch.
This weekend is huge for the Orange and Blue. Illinois has a chance to make another great impression on Goram-Welch and if the impression is good enough, the Illini could end up adding to their class of 2020.