Writing Illini
Fansided

Illinois Football: Top 5 priorities for the Illini class of 2022

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS - NOVEMBER 02: The Illinois Fighting Illini helmet on the field after a win over the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Memorial Stadium on November 02, 2019 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS - NOVEMBER 02: The Illinois Fighting Illini helmet on the field after a win over the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Memorial Stadium on November 02, 2019 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
Illinois football
Dec 30, 2019; Santa Clara, California, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini run out of the tunnel before the game against the California Golden Bears at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Danny McGuire – 3-Star – Offensive Tackle

In the previous slide, I mentioned the Illinois coaching staff won’t let the program go without a solid starting quarterback. That same mentality has spilled over into the offensive line as well.

Illinois needs to continue building the offensive line, and landing someone like Danny McGuire would go a long way in accomplishing that goal. The 6-foot-5, 270-pound Chicago, Illinois native needs to be a player the Illini put all of their resources into the next couple of years.

McGuire is one of the best offensive linemen in the country. He checks in as a three-star recruit who is the No. 402 player in the class of 2022 and the No. 36 offensive tackle in the nation. He is also the No. 5 player coming out of the state of Illinois in 2022.

The departures from the Illinois offensive line in the next year or two is going to hurt. But the Illini coaching staff has tried to prepare for a mass talent exodus with recruiting for the front lines. Illinois brought in three freshmen offensive linemen from the class of 2020 and had two offensive linemen transfer into the program.

2021 is set to bring in a good haul of blockers as well. Brody Wisecarver is leading the pack as he is a top 400 player nationally and should be a stalwart in the Illinois offensive line. The Illini will also bring in three other offensive linemen from this class, and we aren’t even done recruiting for 2021.

Illinois has clearly focused on stockpiling players on the offensive line. The Orange and Blue will need to continue doing that. This is why McGuire should be a focus for the Illinois coaching staff. This kid is talented and a top recruit nationally. Building the offensive line is a key and McGuire is a player who could do that.

Home/Illinois Basketball Recruiting