Illinois Football: 2021 JUCO product Isaiah Iton receives Illini offer

The Illinois football program continues its 2021 recruiting surge, offering junior college standout Isaiah Iton out of Hutchinson Community College in Kansas.

Iton has not enjoyed a smooth ride to the next level. In fact, he has created his own path to eventually begin his college football career at a DI level.

Originally a 2019 graduate of Pearland High School in Pearland, Texas, Iton committed to Northern Colorado as a defensive end and looked to become a valuable piece of the defense. The 6-foot-3, 295-pound pass rusher did all he could in his new environment.

Unfortunately for Iton, he would only start in three games during the 2019 season, though he appeared in all 12 contests. While on the field, he registered 20 tackles, one sack, and one TFL. He picked Northern Colorado to give himself time to develop, and while his grades were holding him back from seeing more action, he always had one goal in mind.

“I knew I should be playing big-time football,” Iton said in an interview with 247 Sports. “I wanted to go against the best so I could become the best. I didn’t turn 18 until the middle of my freshman season. I was young. I still had time to grow as a person and a player. I just wanted a chance to play up in a better league.”

In order to make that goal a reality, Iton made the decision to transfer to Hutchinson Community College with the hopes that more offers would come his way. Sure enough, that would be the case.

Since the transition to Hutchinson Community College over the summer, Iton has received a plethora of offers. Including

Illinois,

Iton has interest from Arkansas, Maryland, Indiana, Washington State, Ole Miss, and Houston, to name a few.

What would Isaiah Iton bring to Champaign?

Iton’s offer from the Illini comes as no surprise, as the program continues to build its classes from St. Louis, Texas, and Florida every offseason. With Lovie Smith’s defensive approach, Iton’s physical presence and athletic ability would fit that mold.

If Iton’s spring season goes well, more schools will take notice of the JUCO product. Hopefully, the Illini can win out and continue building the defensive line.