Illinois Football: Austin Barber keeps Illini in his top 13

The Illinois football team was able to stay in 2021 offensive lineman Austin Barber’s top 13 list.

With the Illini losing four offensive linemen after next season, they will need to add more depth. They are trying to accomplish that goal in the class of 2021. Landing on Austin Barber’s top list is a good way to start.

Barber is a 6-foot-7, 315-pound offensive tackle who plays Trinity Christian Academy in Jacksonville, Florida. He is rated as a three-star recruit and is ranked as the No. 898 player in the class of 2021 and the No. 87 offensive tackle in the nation. He is also the No. 122 ranked player in the state of Florida.

On Wednesday, Barber cut his list to 13 teams. The teams that made the cut included Georgia Tech, North Carolina, UCF, USF, Pittsburg, Louisville, Ole Miss, Duke, Vanderbilt, Minnesota, Syracuse, Coastal Carolina, and Illinois.

I don’t think there is a program that has the lead in Barber’s recruitment, but I do think Illinois can be in his next list if he makes one. This is a big recruitment for the Illini because of the attrition at offensive line moving forward. After next season, Illinois will lose multiple starters on the offensive line. Even with Kevin Tyler, Blaise Sparks, Brevyn Jones, and Phifer Griffin coming in next season, Illinois could still use depth.

It is exciting that the Illini were able to stay in Barber’s top 13. He is a player who brings lots of skills to the table. Hopefully, the Illini can land him and continue building that offensive line.