Skip to main content
Writing Illini
Fansided

Decision time locked in for massive Illinois football recruiting target

Illinois football has been targeting numerous recruits, and on Monday, we will know a key decision for the future.
ByRees Woodcock|
Share on FacebookShare on XShare on Reddit
Google Discover
Aug 29, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema leads his team during the Illini Walk before an NCAA football game against the Western Illinois Leathernecks at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images
Aug 29, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema leads his team during the Illini Walk before an NCAA football game against the Western Illinois Leathernecks at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images | Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

The Illinois football team is trying to land another big-time recruit to help bolster the class of 2027.

Bret Bielema is doing a good job building the class of 2027, as the Illini have 12 commitments and a national ranking of No. 60. This includes the top recruit, wide receiver Bennett Konkey.

Konkey was a great get for the Orange and Blue, and now we are trying to land another big-time pass catcher who can help the offense.

On Sunday, 247Sports announced that wide receiver Brody Knowles will announce his decision on Monday. That isn’t any new news, but he has set an official time. He will be going live on 247Sports and announcing at 12:00 p.m. ET/11:00 a.m. CT.

Illinois’ offense would get a jolt if we could land Knowles. He is a 6-foot-5, 190-pound wide receiver out of Southlake Carroll High School in Texas. He is rated as a three-star recruit and ranked as the No. 1054 player in the class of 2027. Knowles is also the No. 132 wide receiver in the country and the No. 137 player in the state of Texas.

The decision for Knowles is coming down to either TCU, Arkansas, or Illinois. The TCU factor scares me a bit, as that is his home state program. They also have a lot of money because that is the program they focus on the most.

I believe Illinois can compete and beat out Arkansas. If I had to guess, this decision will come down to either the Illini or the Horned Frogs.

Illinois football has been targeting some massive wide receivers over the last couple of years

The thing that stands out about Knowles is his tremendous size. At 6-foot-5, he is going to have an advantage over a ton of defensive backs.

Illinois has been stockpiling tall wide receivers lately, too. In the transfer portal, we secured Alex Perry and Ty Robinson, who stand at 6-foot-5 and 6-foot-4, respectively. Those two are going to be prime targets for Katin Houser this season.

Bielema also secured the commitment of Davon Grant from the class of 2026. He is a monster at 6-foot-4, 220 pounds. That kid is going to be a big-time target for the Illini for years to come.

Another big decision is just hours away. Illinois could always use more big targets on the outside for our future quarterbacks. Knowles would be a perfect option.

Add us as a preferred source on Google
Home/Illinois Football Recruiting