The offers just keep on rolling in for the Illinois football program, as they offered four-star 2022 running back, Dallan Hayden.
The Illini football coaching staff, while brand new, has been hard at work with their recruiting efforts ever since Bret Bielema was hired in mid-December. Their activity has allowed them to dive into the potential of landing some big-time prospects. Look no further than Illinois’ most recent offer, as they expressed interest in Dallan Hayden from the 2022 class.
Hayden, a running back and a four-star recruit, attends Christian Brothers High School in Memphis, Tennessee, and has gotten a plethora of looks from other programs across the nation. Including Illinois, Hayden has been put on notice by Notre Dame, Tennessee, Ohio State, Oregon, Auburn, Florida, and Florida State, to name a few.
After a great conversation @BretBielema blessed to receive an offer from the University of Ilinois🔸🔹🔹🔸🔹🔹🟦🟠🟠🟧🟠 pic.twitter.com/8e79FtxhUt
— Dallan Hayden5️⃣ (@dallanhayden5) January 20, 2021
At press time, Hayden is leaning toward Tennessee as his Crystal Ball projection, although things could rapidly change in his final two high school seasons.
As for the team itself, the Purple Wave enjoyed a successful year that saw them finish as the state’s No. 16 team, putting together a 7-4 campaign and a second-place divisional finish in 2020. Their season would be cut short in the first round of the playoffs, losing to McCallie 42-28. A one-game improvement could mean a sign of things to come in 2021.
What would Dallan Hayden’s arrival mean to the Illini?
The Illini pride themselves on running the ball, and with Hayden’s speedy rushing attack, the offense would get an instant offensive upgrade. In 2020, Illinois struggled to finish drives, and under Bret Bielema’s regime, that hopes to be resolved. Landing Hayden would remedy the situation and give the Orange and Blue an instant boost.
His highlight tape, which can be seen above, showcases a glimpse of what Hayden could bring to any collegiate offense.
Only time will tell if Hayden changes his mind, but if he does, Bielema would land a major priority recruit in the years to come.