Illinois Football: Illini first in on 2025 in-state linebacker

The Illinois football program has its eyes set on an in-state linebacker for 2025.

Over the last few months, the Illini have really started to crank up the recruiting for the future. The class of 2023 is coming to a close, and we are in the heart of the 2024 class. So the 2025 group is not too far down the road.

Bret Bielema has done great recruiting since taking over as head coach. Illinois has had back-to-back top 50 class, and one of the focuses for the coaching staff has been recruiting the state of Illinois. The Illini want to continue that focus, as we have now offered Carson Cooney.

Cooney is a 6-foot-4, 208-pound linebacker from Oswego High School in Illinois. He isn’t rated or ranked just yet by 247Sports, but that will surely come down the road. The class of 2025 linebacker has just one scholarship offer on the table right now, and that is from Illinois.

Linebacker depth is a point of interest for the Illinois football program in 2025

It is good that Illinois is the first to the Cooney sweepstakes. From what I have seen, he brings a ton of talent to the football field.

I love Cooney’s speed. He can get to the ball carrier quickly going north to south, but I am also impressed with Cooney’s quickness from east to west. He also has solid vision. Cooney doesn’t just rely on his athletic ability. He can see the play developing and hits the hole or drops back in coverage where the ball will be thrown.

Illinois could use Cooney at either linebacker spot. His speed enables him to succeed at outside linebacker, and his vision makes him suited for the inside linebacker role.

Based on need, Illinois would probably have Cooney at inside linebacker. There isn’t a ton of depth at this position.

Coming into the 2023 campaign, I think Tarique Barnes is going to be the starter. He started in every game for the Illini last season, so there is no doubt he will do that again in 2023.

Barnes is a senior, though. This will be his last season in Champaign. There isn’t a lot of proven depth behind him either. That worries me moving forward.

Snagging a player like Cooney down the road is going to be important for the depth chart. Who knows, maybe if he picks Illinois, he could start early on in his career. One thing I know for sure, this kid has a lot of potential.