Writing Illini
Fansided

Illinois Football: Illini extend offer to WR John Paul Richardson

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - OCTOBER 13: An Illinois Fighting Illini helmet sits on top of a dryer on the sidelines during the Big Ten Conference 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)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - OCTOBER 13: An Illinois Fighting Illini helmet sits on top of a dryer on the sidelines during the Big Ten Conference 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) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The variety of scholarship offers continued for the Illinois football team this past weekend with someone who could help on the offensive side of the ball.

Illinois is going to need to build on their wide receiver depth. We have three starters this upcoming season who are all seniors. Entering the 2021 campaign, these players will have departed the program. That is a lot of talent to replace. Bringing in someone like John Paul Richardson would help fill those voids.

Richardson is a 6-foot, 180-pound wide receiver from Ridge Point High School and resides in Missouri City, Texas. He is rated as a three-star recruit who is the No. 1199 player in the class of 2021 and the No. 173 wide receiver in the nation. He is also the No. 182 player in the state of Texas.


On Saturday, Richardson announced on Twitter that he had received a scholarship offer from the University of Illinois. On paper, this looks like a great offer by the Illini, but I highly doubt we can do much with this recruitment.

Just a day before Richardson announced the offer from the Illini, he cut his list down to just three teams who will be vying for his commitment. The three teams to make his top list included Arkansas, Oklahoma State and TCU.

With that being said, if Richardson decided to let Illinois get involved, he could come in and compete from day one. The Illini are losing their top three pass catchers after this season. Heading into the 2021 campaign, I have Brian Hightower, Danny Navarro and Casey Washington as the three starting wide receivers.

Behind those three pass catchers, there are a bunch of unproven players who are looking to get snaps. I think Richardson could come in and compete for snaps. By year two, he could see starts and be a big-time impactful player.

Next. Illini come in with offer to DT Aden Kelley. dark

I highly doubt Illinois will get in on this recruitment, but it is a good offer regardless. Let’s see how strong Andrew Hayes-Stoker’s pull is in the Lone Star State. It would be impressive if he could make waves here.

Home/Illinois Basketball Recruiting