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Illinois Football: 2022’s Malachi Hood receives first offer from Illini

By Zain Bando

Oct 5, 2019; Minneapolis, MN, USA; A general view of an Illinois Fighting Illini helmet before a game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 5, 2019; Minneapolis, MN, USA; A general view of an Illinois Fighting Illini helmet before a game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Illinois football program is hard at work after the dead period, as they recently offered Joliet Catholic product, Malachi Hood.

As spring turns to summer, the Illinois football program is going through an offseason of change. With this change comes fresh faces in Champaign, and now that the recruiting “dead period” has passed, the Orange and Blue can focus on finding the next crop of talent who will lead the team back to relevance in the Big Ten once again.

One of the biggest areas of concern that Bret Bielema is looking to fix is in-state recruiting. In doing so, Bielema is on a state-wide search to land the best talent possible. One of those potential players is a 6-foot-2, 210-pound two-way recruit named Malachi Hood, who attends Joliet Catholic High School.

Hood plays linebacker, running back, and was offered by Illinois June 1, which was the first day that the dead period was not in effect. Hood took to Twitter to make the news official, as it was his first-ever college football offer.

“Wow! After a visit and workout, I am blessed to have received my first offer from the University of Illinois,” Hood wrote.

New Illinois football target Malachi Hood is a projected three-star recruit.

Although he still has more room to grow entering his senior season, Hood is already ranked as the No. 85 linebacker, the No. 25 player in Illinois, and a potential three-star recruit. Hood was part of a Hilltoppers team that finished a perfect 6-0, which included a 49-21 drubbing against Marmion Academy in the season’s final game.

Check out Hood’s junior highlight tape above, as the film primarily shows his nose for the football, quick speed, and help-side defensive effort at the linebacker position. With Illinois moving back into a normal season this upcoming fall, it’s safe to say that Hood will have more reps and interest from other coaches around the country.

Next. In-state guard Jalen Quinn has Illini in visit plans. dark

Hood’s recruitment will be one to watch as the summer visits have officially begun in Champaign.

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