It is never too early to get in on a recruitment, and the Illinois football team is taking that to heart.
Bret Bielema and his evolving coaching staff continue to impress Illini fans with the ability to win games on the field and win recruitments off the field. They are pulling in talented players, and these recruits will pay dividends down the road.
Illinois isn’t just offering scholarships to players from the class of 2024 and 2025, though. This coaching staff sees potential in recruits who could help the team years down the road. That is why we are now targeting Myson Johnson-Cook.
On Tuesday, Johnson-Cook took to social media to announce that he had received a scholarship offer from the Illini. This was, obviously, his first scholarship offer.
After a great visit and conversation with Coach @BretBielema. I am grateful to announce that I have been offered a scholarship to play football @ THE University Of Illinois @IlliniFootball @AaronHenry7 @coachPatRyan @UofIllinoisABuh @EDGYTIM @MacAthletics_61 pic.twitter.com/MPcKETwbO4
— Myson Johnson-Cook (@mysonn2x) July 25, 2023
Illinois football is playing the long game by offering a scholarship to Myson Johnson-Cook
Johnson-Cook is a 6-foot-3, 203-pound athlete from Decatur MacArthur High School in Illinois. He doesn’t have a profile on recruiting sites such as 247Sports, but that is due to the fact that Johnson-Cook is in the class of 2027.
That isn’t a typo. Johnson-Cook hasn’t quite started his freshman year in high school, and Illinois is already seeing the potential he has on the football field. In fact, Johnson-Cook mentioned to Tim O’Halloran of Rivals that this is the first time that Bielema has offered a kid who hasn’t played a single high school game yet.
2027 Decatur MacArthur ATH @mysonn2x on adding his first Power 5 offer from @IlliniFootball “I’m still stunned. Coach B said he’s never offered a kid who hasnt yet played in a high school game yet and that I’m the first one.” More details coming shortly @Rivals_Clint
— Timothy “EDGYTIM” OHalloran (@EDGYTIM) July 25, 2023
Opinion
You know what, why not? Clearly, Bielema was blown away by Johnson-Cook’s athletic ability and sees the potential in him. Why not offer him a scholarship and start building that relationship?
Johnson-Cook is from Decatur, which is a hop, skip, and jump away from Champaign. This connection makes perfect sense. He also camped at Illinois this summer, which strengthened that blossoming relationship as well.
In addition to that, if Johnson-Cook’s social media is correct, he runs a 4.53 40-yard dash as an eighth grader. Just imagine what that will turn into as a high schooler. Getting proper training and whatnot will help this kid tremendously.
People will probably forget about this offer in the coming years, but just remember the name Johnson-Cook. When he is ready to enter the college ranks, Illinois will be there waiting. I love this offer by Bielema.