Illinois Football: 3 reasons the Illini need to land Willie Shaw III

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CHAMPAIGN, IL. – SEPTEMBER 14: Illinois Head Football Coach Lovie Smith watches his team play during a non-conference college football game between the Eastern Michigan Eagles and the Illinois Fighting Illini on September 14, 2019, at Memorial Stadium, Champaign, IL. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

The Illinois football team has a tough task of putting together a great class of 2021, but this group of coaches has done some amazing things.

Illinois already has two players signed up for 2021. Samari Collier was first on the board when he committed back in December 2019. He is a three-star quarterback from DeSoto, Texas.

The next player to follow Collier to Champaign was Prince Green. Prince committed just six days ago and is a great addition to the program. He is listed as a wide receiver, but the Illini are bringing him in as a defensive back.

Who is the next talented player to commit to Illinois?

One big target is Willie Shaw III. He is slated to make his commitment on Sunday, May 10. According to Luke Lowry of the IlliniPulse, Shaw will be choosing from Nebraska, Toledo and Illinois. This is a tough decision and one that will benefit a team greatly.

Shaw is a talented player. He is a 5-foot-11, 180-pound running back from Brother Rice High School and resides in Oak Lawn, Illinois. He is rated as a three-star recruit who is the No. 616 player in the class of 2021 and the No. 47 running back in the nation. He is also the No. 19 player in the state of Illinois.

Landing Shaw is extremely important for the Orange and Blue for many different reasons. This kid is talented, and I want him on the team.

Here are three reasons the Illini need to land Willie Shaw III.

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