Illinois Football: Zylon Crisler picks Illini because “It felt like home!”

The Illinois football team continued to add to the family on Thursday afternoon.

A big worry for many is the offensive line. The Illini lost, essentially, all five starters from the offensive line in 2021. We will need to plug those holes up with big bodies who can block. On Thursday, Illinois was able to add one of those big bodies in the form of Zylon Crisler.

Crisler is a 6-foot-7, 350-pound offensive lineman from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. He isn’t rated or ranked by 247Sports, but Crisler did just visit Illinois and a commitment came shortly after.

Illinois football needed more size like Crisler on the offensive line.

Someone might see Crisler and think that isn’t a high-caliber get for the Illini. He doesn’t have stars, so how can he be good? I don’t believe that will be the case. A player who is 6-foot-7, 350-pounds paired with a talented coach like Bret Bielema should see success on the football field.

This was a much-needed addition for the Illini. We are losing Blake Jeresaty, Alex Palczewski, Doug Kramer, Jack Badovinac, and Vederian Lowe from the offensive line. That is a lot of production to make up.

Thankfully, Illinois was able to add six players to the offensive line from the class of 2022. One of those players is from the junior college ranks as well. Crisler is joining Isaiah Adams, who also has college playing experience at Garden City Community College. Look for these two to be staples in the offensive line this season.

But what made Crisler pick Illinois? He had another offer in Southern Mississippi, which is much closer to where he is now. So, why the Illini?

“It felt like home!”

Those are the words of Crisler. He picked Illinois because of the home feel to the program. That doesn’t come as a surprise considering the tagline for the Orange and Blue is “famILLy”.

Illinois is going to get the chance to insert Crisler into the mix quickly as well. He confirmed that he is enrolling for the spring semester and will be on campus either Friday or Saturday. That means Bielema and his coaching staff will get the talented JUCO transfer for spring football.

Crisler is another great addition to the Illinois football program. Building the offensive line is important, and they have done a great job in achieving this goal.