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Illinois Football: Illini land in top 2 for WR Pat Bryant

ByRees Woodcock|
CHAMPAIGN, IL. - NOVEMBER 30: The Fighting Illini take the field before a Big Ten Conference college football game between the Northwestern Wildcats and the IIllinois Fighting Illini on November 30, 2019, at Memorial Stadium, Champaign, IL. Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL. - NOVEMBER 30: The Fighting Illini take the field before a Big Ten Conference college football game between the Northwestern Wildcats and the IIllinois Fighting Illini on November 30, 2019, at Memorial Stadium, Champaign, IL. Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Illinois football team made another top list on Wednesday afternoon, but this one is closer to the finish line.

Pat Bryant took to Twitter to announce that he is down to his final two schools. The two programs that will be vying for his commitment include West Virginia and Illinois. This is a big recruitment for both programs, as they hope to land a solid wide receiver.

Bryant is a 6-foot-3, 187-pound wide receiver from Atlantic Coast High School and resides in Jacksonville, Florida. He is rated as a three-star recruit who is the No. 1063 player in the class of 2021 and the No. 153 wide receiver in the nation. He is also the No. 145 player in the state of Florida.

The fact Illinois is in the top two is a big deal. Bryant’s commitment is scheduled for June 14, so there will be a decision soon. The Illini need another big-time playmaker with size like Bryant.

The current Illinois roster is looking good at wide receiver. Ricky Smalling, Josh Imatorbhebhe and Trevon Sidney are all talented pass catchers, but all three wide receivers will be departing the program after this season. That leaves a massive void on offense.

Bryant might have a chance to come into the program and contribute right away. Illinois should still be fine with the wide receiver corps for 2021 considering incoming transfer Brian Hightower will be eligible to play. I also like the emergence last season from Casey Washington and Donny Navarro. Both players should leave their mark at wide receiver in 2021.

But depth is my biggest concern right now for the future at wide receiver. Behind those three, there are a lot of unproven players. Getting someone like Bryant into the mix will only help elevate the play of everyone else.

Illinois is one step closer to landing another player for the class of 2021. Bryant is someone who could make an impact on this program. Let’s continue building that pipeline to the state of Florida.

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