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Illinois Football: Top 10 most overlooked Illini recruits

By Rees Woodcock

Dec 30, 2019; Santa Clara, California, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini defensive back Sydney Brown (30) reacts to a penalty call during the third quarter against the California Golden Bears at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2019; Santa Clara, California, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini defensive back Sydney Brown (30) reacts to a penalty call during the third quarter against the California Golden Bears at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 30, 2022; London, United Kingdom, Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Dawuane Smoot (91) reacts affecter sacking Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) (not pictured) in the third quarter during an NFL International Series game at Wembley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2022; London, United Kingdom, Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Dawuane Smoot (91) reacts affecter sacking Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) (not pictured) in the third quarter during an NFL International Series game at Wembley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 6 Dawuane Smoot – #1515

  • All-Big Ten Honorable Mention (JR)
  • All-Big Ten Second Team (SR)
  • 137 tackles, 16.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble (College)
  • 3rd round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft (Jacksonville Jaguars)
  • 123 tackles, 22.5 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, 5 pass deflections (NFL)

Smoot had a pretty impressive career with the Illini, and he has parlayed that great play into the NFL. His ranking of No. 1515 in the class of 2013 was way off.

The Illinois class of 2013 was solid, but Smoot was toward the bottom of the group they brought in. Despite that fact, Smoot came out and was one of the best defensive players on the team. He would finish his Illinois career with 137 tackles, 16.5 sacks, and one forced fumble. These numbers earned him All-Big Ten honorable mention as a junior and All-Big Ten second team as a senior.

Smoot would get picked in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Over six seasons with the Jaguars, Smoot has complied 123 tackles, 22.5 sacks, five pass deflections, four forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. He has had a great football playing career despite being ranked No. 1515 in his recruiting class.

No. 5 Nate Hobbs – #1757

  • Big Ten All-Freshman Team
  • All-Big Ten Honorable Mention (JR)
  • All-Big Ten Third Team (SR)
  • 168 tackles, 14 pass deflections, 3 interceptions (College)
  • 5th round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft (Las Vegas Raiders)
  • 146 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 interception, 7 pass deflections (NFL)
  • NFL All-Rookie Team

I was impressed with Nate Hobbs from the start of his career. The fact that he was ranked as the No. 1757 player in the class of 2017 blows my mind.

While at Illinois, Hobbs had 168 tackles, 14 pass deflections, and three interceptions. He would make the Big Ten All-Freshman team in year one. Hobbs would then earn All-Big Ten honorable mention as a junior and All-Big Ten third team as a senior.

Hobbs would get picked in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Las Vegas Raiders. Through two seasons, he has complied 146 tackles, seven pass deflections, two sacks, and one interception. He also made the NFL All-Rookie team in 2021. Hobbs has busted through the No. 1757 expectations.

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