Illinois Football: Illini get visit from 2021 WR Cole Kirkpatrick

Lovie Smith and the Illinois football coaching staff see a need at wide receiver and they are trying to fill that need in 2021.

Back on September 29, the Illini came in with a scholarship offer to Cole Kirkpatrick. A 6-foot, 180-pound wide receiver, Kirkpatrick’s offer total is now around 13 after Illinois came in with their offer. But the thing that was puzzling me is why Kirkpatrick was only a two-star recruit.

Well, a few things have happened since that offer by the Illini. The 247Sports Composite ratings now have Kirkpatrick as a three-star recruit who is ranked as the No. 2112 player in the class of 2021 and the No. 267 wide receiver in the nation. He is also the No. 308 player in the state of Texas.

While this is a nice little boost in ratings and rankings, it is still far below where I believe Kirkpatrick should be for 2021. This kid is a dynamic playmaker with solid hands. His size isn’t great, but he is someone who I want on the Illinois football team. The Illini seem to feel the same.

This past weekend, Kirkpatrick made the trip up to Champaign for an unofficial visit. The Argyle, Texas native tweeted out on Wednesday that he had a “Great time in Illinois this weekend!”

The fact Kirkpatrick would make the trip up to Champaign is great news for the Orange and Blue. This is following the fact that Jeremy Werner of 247Sports put in a Crystal Ball Prediction for Kirkpatrick to end up at Illinois less than two weeks prior. His confidence that the Illini will land the talented pass-catcher is seven out of 10, which is pretty high.

So, if you add up that Illinois is Kirkpatrick’s first big offer, 247Sports has a Crystal Ball in for him to pick the Illini and he took an unofficial visit to Champaign, it seems like it would equal a commitment in the near future. I would welcome this kid to the Illini program with open arms. He has so much talent.