Writing Illini
Fansided

Illinois Football: Top 5 in-state recruits Illini should target for 2022

By Rees Woodcock

Nov 18, 2017; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks head coach Bret Bielema talks with quarterback Austin Allen (8) during a timeout in the fourth quarter of the game at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mississippi State Bulldogs won the game 28-21. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 18, 2017; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks head coach Bret Bielema talks with quarterback Austin Allen (8) during a timeout in the fourth quarter of the game at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mississippi State Bulldogs won the game 28-21. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
Illinois football
Oct 12, 2019; Champaign, IL, USA; An Illinois Fighting Illini helmet sits on the field as players stretch before the start of the game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Michigan Wolverines at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Allio-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Eian Pugh

The class of 2022 is full of playmakers in the state of Illinois. While getting someone like Kaleb Brown would be amazing, there are also players further down on the rankings who would help the Illini as well. Eian Pugh is one of those talented recruits.

Pugh is a 6-foot-4, 170-pound wide receiver from Fenwick High School and resides in Oak Park, Illinois. He is rated as a three-star recruit, ranked as the No. 502 player in the class of 2022 and is the No. 68 wide receiver in the nation. He is also the No. 8 player in the state of Illinois.

The wide receiver corps is going to take a beating heading into next year. Josh Imatorbhebhe already declared for the NFL Draft. Trevon Sidney is likely gone. Ricky Smalling transferred out of the program. I do like what we have in Casey Washington and Brian Hightower, though. Illinois needs more pieces to complete the puzzle.

Another mind-blowing fact is that the Illini haven’t even offered Pugh a scholarship yet. The kid is one of the best players in the country and from the state of Illinois, and yet the previous staff ignored him completely. Pugh’s recruitment isn’t too far along yet. That means Bret Bielema can come in and offer him fairly soon and still make up the ground that was lost.

Snagging someone like Pugh would be great for the Illini offense. We need players who can contribute early on in their careers. That is what I see Pugh doing for the Orange and Blue.

Home/Illinois Basketball Recruiting