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Big target 2027 wide receiver sets official visit with Illinois football

The Illinois football team needs to continue building the roster for 2027, and this talented pass-catcher would be a perfect addition.
ByRees Woodcock|
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Dec 31, 2024; Orlando, FL, USA; A Illinois Fighting Illini helmet sitting on confetti after the game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Reper-Imagn Images
Dec 31, 2024; Orlando, FL, USA; A Illinois Fighting Illini helmet sitting on confetti after the game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Reper-Imagn Images | Jeremy Reper-Imagn Images

Illinois football is coming off one of the best recruiting classes this program has ever seen.

Bret Bielema managed to sign the No. 24-ranked class of 2026. If you are counting in transfer portal players, that number dips to No. 36 overall, but the freshman class is No. 24 in the country for the Illini.

That class consists of a ton of quality talent that will help the team now and in the future. Matching those numbers for the class of 2027 is going to be tough. Adding players like Brody Knowles would help, though.

On Friday, Knowles took to social media to announce that he is going to be taking an official visit to Illinois. He scheduled that official visit for the weekend of April 10-12.

Knowles is a 6-foot-4.5, 190-pound wide receiver from Southlake Carroll High School in Texas. He is rated as a three-star recruit and ranked as the No. 709 player in the class of 2027. Knowles is also the No. 93 wide receiver in the country and the No. 89 player coming out of Texas.

Illinois’ lone 2027 commit right now, quarterback Kamden Lopati, needs a big target for the future. That is what Knowles brings to the table. You have to be intrigued by his height.

Southlake Carroll was one of the best teams in the country last season, going 14-1 overall and finishing ranked No. 5 in the state of Texas and No. 28 in the nation. Knowles was a big part of their success, finishing his junior year with 36 receptions for 816 yards and seven touchdowns.

A player like Brody Knowles is needed in the Illinois football offense

Over the past few seasons, you have seen what the Illinois offense has turned into. With Bielema, you would think we would be a running program. That isn’t the case. Illinois is a passing team.

The Illini are always in need of wide receivers. While we will have talent like Brayden Trimble and Collin Dixon still on the roster in 2027, we won’t have someone with the size of Knowles. That is going to be crucial for Illinois.

I love that Bielema was able to get an official visit from this big-time wide receiver. I would imagine his stock is only going to rise in the next year, too.

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