Illinois Football: Illini offers a gem in 2021 WR Cole Kirkpatrick

A new scholarship offer hit the table on Tuesday afternoon as the Illinois football team looks to add to their class of 2021.

Lovie Smith and the Illini lost a talented wide receiver earlier this week when Ed Carter decided to transfer out of the program. The third-year wide receiver dealt with a myriad of injuries and needed to find a new start somewhere else. Leaving a hole in his wake, Illinois now has some options at the wide receiver position.

One option is Cole Kirkpatrick.

A 6-foot, 180-pound wide receiver from Argyle, Texas, Kirkpatrick isn’t on the radar for a lot of powerhouse programs around the nation. 247Sports doesn’t have a composite rating for the talented pass catcher, but they do have him in their regular ratings as a two-star who is the No. 324 wide receiver in the class of 2021 and the No. 349 player in the state of Texas.

Despite Illinois being the only power-five conference program in the mix right now, don’t look past Kirkpatrick as a player. He has the attention of roughly 15 programs around the country, most of the offers coming from the Ivy League and other second-tier teams. But the fact Kirkpatrick has a variety of Ivy League teams pursuing him means that brains are coming with his athletic ability.

After a 10-0 regular season and a trip to the Elite 8 in 2019, Kirkpatrick’s Argyle Eagles have started hot once again. They are currently 4-0 in 2020 and want to continue their great momentum. Kirkpatrick seems to be eyeing on improving his numbers this year as well.

1,695 yards and 29 touchdowns were the contributions the Eagles received from Kirkpatrick as a junior. He has started his senior season off well with the biggest game so far coming against Pleasant Grove when he went for 185 yards and 3 touchdowns.

It shouldn’t surprise anyone that Kirkpatrick can put up those massive numbers. The kid has amazing speed on the outside and the ability to take the top off a defense. He can move around the field well and isn’t limited to just being a burner. Kirkpatrick would be used in multiple ways in the Rod Smith offense.

The only thing people should be scratching their heads about is why Kirkpatrick is only a two-star by 247Sports’ standards? The kid is putting up insane numbers at the 4A level of Texas high school football. That is like being the best wide receiver at the highest level in the majority of other states.

I love this offer by Illinois. I really want Kirkpatrick to suit up for the Orange and Blue. Hopefully, other programs don’t catch on to the gem the Illini just found.