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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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Dec 30, 2018; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) celebrates with offensive lineman Jeff Allen (73) in the second half against the Oakland Raiders at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2018; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) celebrates with offensive lineman Jeff Allen (73) in the second half against the Oakland Raiders at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 4 Jeff Allen – Not Ranked

  • Freshman All-American Second Team
  • All-Big Ten Second Team (JR)
  • All-Big Ten Second Team (SR)
  • 2nd round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft (Kansas City Chiefs)
  • 1-Time Super Bowl Champion
  • 66 starts with 2 teams over 8 seasons

I am not just going to reference recent players and their ability to break through recruiting rankings. Allen is someone who has had a great football career, and he wasn’t even ranked.

Allen joined the Illinois program from the class of 2008, and he was instantly one of the best offensive linemen on the team. He would earn Freshman All-American second-team honors in year one. Allen would then go on to make the All-Big Ten second team as both a junior and senior.

The Kansas City Chiefs saw a big-time professional player in Allen, so they drafted him in the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft. After getting picked by the Chiefs, Allen would go on to have 66 starts in the NFL with two different teams over eight seasons. He also has a Super Bowl title under his belt. Going from unranked to Super Bowl champ is a pretty impressive achievement.

No. 3 Kerby Joseph – #1602

  • Second Team All-American (SR)
  • All-Big Ten First Team (SR)
  • 116 tackles, 6 pass deflections, 5 interceptions (College)
  • 3rd round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft (Detroit Lions)
  • 92 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, 4 interceptions, 8 pass deflections (NFL)
  • NFL All-Rookie Team

I thought about putting Joseph in the top two, but I think landing him at No. 3 is the right move. The fact that Joseph was ranked as the No. 1602 player in the class of 2018 is a travesty.

Joseph picked Illinois and was incredible for the program from day one. He would finish his time in Champaign with 116 tackles, six pass deflections, and five interceptions. Joseph would earn All-Big Ten first-team honors and second-team All-American honors as a senior.

The talent Joseph displayed at Illinois made the Detroit Lions want him. He was selected by the Lions in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft.

Joseph would compile 92 tackles, eight pass deflections, four interceptions, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery during his rookie season in 2022. His great play also earned him NFL All-Rookie team honors. Joseph went from little recruiting attention and being ranked No. 1602 to being one of the best defensive backs in the NFL.

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