Illinois Football: Illini target Antwon Hayden wants to put his city on the map

Illinois football is starting to pick up a lot of momentum for the class of 2023.

Kaden Feagin led the Illini off with a commitment back on March 23. This pledge is the first for the Orange and Blue, but it surely won’t be the last.

As of this moment, Illinois also has two Crystal Ball Predictions for recruits in 2023. One of those predictions is for edge rusher, Pat Farrell. The other prediction is for the Illini to land linebacker, Antwon Hayden.

Hayden is a 6-foot-2, 215-pound linebacker from East St. Louis High School and resides in East St. Louis, Illinois. He is rated as a three-star recruit and ranked as the No. 695 player in the class of 2023. Hayden is also the No. 57 linebacker in the nation and the No. 14 player coming out of Illinois.

With multiple 247Sports writers predicting Hayden will land with the Illini, it seems that this is Bret Bielema’s race to lose at this point.

Antwon Hayden says the 2023 class can make a run for Illinois football.

Even though it seems that Illinois is in the lead for Hayden, the Illini still have to close the deal. He is taking his official visit to Champaign on June 3, so that is a big date to keep in mind. Hayden is looking forward to the visit as well.

“I look forward to seeing the brotherhood of the team and the campus.”

Recently, the Illinois football program has struggled to snag East St. Louis recruits. The current regime seems to be trying to change that trend, though. There was once a bad stigma to the Orange and Blue, but Hayden sees this program as on the rise.

“Illinois is on a come-up. This 2023 class can make a run for Illinois.”

Despite the recent lack of East St. Louis players on the Illinois roster, there is a history of this high school sending players to Champaign.

One of the greats linebackers of all time, Dana Howard, came out of East St. Louis. He was a First-Team All-American with the Illini and has since been inducted into the St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame, the University of Illinois Hall of Fame, and the College Football Hall of Fame.

Hayden could be the next great East St. Louis player to join the Illini and have a legendary career. It also looks like he would be playing linebacker.

“What drives me is where I come from. I want to motivate others…”

“I’m coming to college to play inside linebacker/outside linebacker. Illinois told me they like me at inside linebacker, but I will work multiple positions on defense.”

There is a chance Hayden becomes a legendary linebacker like Howard, but there is one thing that is a guarantee. Hayden wants to make a difference. He is driven by being a role model.

“What drives me is where I come from. I want to motivate others and show that there is something better than St. Louis/East St. Louis. The opportunity to put my city on the map and have my family in even a better position.”

Hayden wants to motivate people in his city through his play on the field. But he is more than just a football player.

“I’m a decent cook, I can hoop, and I am that man on UFC, so don’t bet me.”

The favorite food for Hayden to cook? Tacos. If he chooses to, Chef Hayden could play close to home and inspire others all at the same time. He would have a chance to cook up some Big Ten competition.