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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) /
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COLLEGE PARK, MD – OCTOBER 27: Illinois Fighting Illini on the field before a college football game against the Maryland Terrapins at Capitol One Field at Maryland Stadium on October 27, 2018 at College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /

4. Valen Erickson – 3-Star – Offensive Tackle

Offensive line coach Bob McClain has been doing some great work recruiting for the Illini the last few years. His presence has been amazing, and he should continue being a valuable asset to this program.

Coach McClain is focusing his efforts on a handful of offensive linemen for 2022, one being Valen Erickson. The 6-foot-6, 280-pound Chicago native will have his recruitment explode over the next year or so.

Coming out of St. Rita High School, Erickson has national attention by 247Sports. He checks in as a three-star recruit who is the No. 561 player in the class of 2022 and the No. 53 offensive tackle in the nation. He is also the No. 9 player coming out of the state of Illinois in 2022.

As I mentioned with Danny McGuire a couple of slides ago, Illinois is looking to stockpile talented offensive linemen for the future. We are losing a ton of talent either after this season or next and having replacements is extremely important.

I love the depth we are building right now with the blockers we have coming in from the class of 2020 and 2021. But there hasn’t been a commitment for 2022 yet. Coach McClain is on the recruitment of Erickson, among others, so hopefully, we can snag four or five offensive linemen in every recruiting class.

Erickson would be a great addition to the Illinois football program. A top 600 player and a great offensive tackle, Erickson would be a natural fit in the Illini offensive line. Having talented hogs up front is extremely important, and that is why Erickson should be prioritized.

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