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Huge Illinois football recruiting targets sets commitment date

Time is ticking down, as the Illinois football team has a commitment date for one of its biggest recruiting targets.
ByRees Woodcock|
Sep 14, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema on the sidelines during the second half against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images
Sep 14, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema on the sidelines during the second half against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images | Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Big names are going off the board at a rapid rate, and Illinois football is trying to secure some of the last few top players.

The start has been amazing for the Illini. The class of 2026 has 18 commitments and a national ranking of No. 12 in the country. While there are plenty of recruits still left to snag, one big name looms large.

On Wednesday, Mack Sutter cut his list down to just four programs. He will be choosing between Ohio State, Alabama, Ole Miss, and Illinois. Well, more details about his commitment have come out.

According to Hayes Fawcett of On3.com, Sutter has a date for his commitment. He will make the decision on June 26.

Sutter would be a huge addition to any of these four teams. He is a 6-foot-5, 230-pound tight end from Dunlap High School in Illinois. Sutter is rated as a four-star recruit and ranked as the No. 80 player in the class of 2026. He is also the No. 6 tight end in the country and the top player coming out of Illinois.

The race for Mack Sutter might be down to just two programs

I know that Sutter has a top four, but the upcoming week might be the make-or-break for this talented tight end.

Sutter isn’t done on the official visit trail just yet. He has one final official visit, and that is to Alabama the weekend before his commitment. In my opinion, that usually ends up being the landing spot for recruits, as it is freshest in their minds.

Greg Smith of Rivals reports that Sutter, just two days before his official visit to Alabama, will be at Illinois with his brother for a camp. At the end of the day, I honestly believe it is probably down to Illinois and Alabama for Sutter’s commitment.

Illinois, with every legal measure, needs to take Sutter being in Champaign as somewhat of an official visit. We need to put out all of the stops to make sure he remembers the program. Don’t count out the Illini. I know we are playing with some traditional powers, but I don’t think this recruitment is over.

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