Illinois Football: Illini looking to bolster defense with offer to 2023 edge

Over the past week, the Illinois football team threw their hat into the ring and is now involved in the recruitment of a solid Midwest talent.

Since Bret Bielema became the head coach of the Illini, the team looks different in many ways. One of the noticeable changes was to the scheme the program runs. Defensively, we now run mostly a 3-4 defense with an emphasis on versatile linebackers.

Bielema is wanting to continue building out the front seven for the Illinois football team, and adding recruits who can rush the edge is important. That is why we are now recruiting Jordan Allen.

Allen is a 6-foot-4, 240-pound edge rusher from Olathe South High School and resides in Olathe, Kansas. He is rated as a three-star recruit and ranked as the No. 64 edge in the class of 2023. He is also the No. 11 player coming out of the state of Kansas.

On Friday, Allen took to Twitter to announce that Illinois had entered his recruitment. The Illini came in with a scholarship offer and joined a myriad of other teams wanting this kid to play for them in the future.

Illinois football is trying to bolster the middle of their defense with the class of 2023.

As of right now, the Illini only have two players committed for 2023. Kaden Feagin, a talented running back out of Arthur, Illinois, pledged in mid-March, and Antwon Hayden followed soon after with a commitment in late March.

While Feagin will hold down the offensive side of things, Hayden will be able to come in and play linebacker for the Illini. He is the type of versatile player Bielema is looking for. I think that is what they see in Allen as well.

Allen would be a great addition to the Illinois roster. He plays football with impressive ferocity. He can get to the ball carrier quickly, and his fundamental tackling is what I like to see. I believe Allen could play with his hand in the dirt or drop back in coverage at any time. That is how versatile I think he could be at the next level.

Give me these types of players all day every day. It is not a shock to see Allen getting a ton of scholarship offers. He is an impressive player. I am surprised that he isn’t ranked nationally, though. 247Sports needs to get on that.