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Illinois Football: 3 NFL teams who need Oluwole Betiku Jr. the most

By Rees Woodcock

IOWA CITY, IOWA- NOVEMBER 23: Running back Toren Young #28 of the Iowa Hawkeyes is tackled during the second half by defensive back Stanley Green #7, linebacker Khalan Tolson #45, linebacker Dele Harding #9 and defensive lineman Oluwole Betiku #47 of the Illinois Fighting Illini on November 23, 2019 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
IOWA CITY, IOWA- NOVEMBER 23: Running back Toren Young #28 of the Iowa Hawkeyes is tackled during the second half by defensive back Stanley Green #7, linebacker Khalan Tolson #45, linebacker Dele Harding #9 and defensive lineman Oluwole Betiku #47 of the Illinois Fighting Illini on November 23, 2019 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /
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CHAMPAIGN, IL – OCTOBER 13: The Big Ten logo is displayed on a scoring pylon during the college football game between the Purdue Boilermakers and the Illinois Fighting Illini on October 13, 2018, at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

I think all of the Illinois football players who are coming into the 2020 NFL Draft have the potential to stick with teams for the long-term.

But there is one player who I could see being a starter for five or more years in the NFL. That one player is Oluwole Betiku Jr.

Betiku was a five-star recruit coming out of high school, and USC was able to snag the talented lineman. After an unsuccessful stint with the Trojans, he decided to find a new home with two years of eligibility remaining. Illinois was able to land Betiku, and he thrived in their system.

In the lone season with the Illini, Betiku finished with 36 tackles and 9 sacks. He also had two fumble recoveries. This kid was extremely tough to stop and was one of the reasons Illinois was able to get back to a bowl game for the first time in quite a while.

I think Betiku is a raw player who has the potential of a Pro Bowl defensive end. He needs to land somewhere where he can be a backup for the first few years he is in the NFL. This will enable him to develop his game even more. But where is the best place for him to land?

Here are three NFL teams who need Oluwole Betiku Jr. the most.

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