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Illinois football commit has the framework to be a monster at the next level

Bret Bielema is doing a great job with recruiting right now, and the most recent commitment has potential through the roof.
ByRees Woodcock|
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Nov 24, 2018; Evanston, IL, USA; A detailed view of a Illinois Fighting Illini helmet before a game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-Imagn Images
Nov 24, 2018; Evanston, IL, USA; A detailed view of a Illinois Fighting Illini helmet before a game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-Imagn Images | Mike DiNovo-Imagn Images

The Illinois football program had a sleepy recruiting class just a couple of weeks ago, but that class has now awoken.

Justin Johnson was carrying the torch for the Illini entering May. He is a four-star recruit who was the lone commit. Then the dominoes started to fall.

Mason Halliman and Soren Fifer both committed. The two offensive linemen will help whoever is behind center in the future. Illinois needs a mean linebacker to help guide the middle of the defense in the future, too. Bret Bielema had an answer for that.

On Friday afternoon, Sean Rice took to social media to announce that he was committing to Illinois.

Rice is a great addition to the program. He is a monster of a player, at 6-foot-2, 210 pounds. Rice is a three-star recruit who is the No. 848 player in the class of 2027. He is also the No. 72 linebacker in the country and the No. 30 player coming out of Illinois.

The first thing that jumps off the page about Rice is his size. Illinois hasn’t traditionally had big linebackers. You are looking at players like Dylan Rosiek and Jake Hansen, both measuring under 6-foot-2. Rice already checks in at 6-foot-2, and he still has another year of high school. There is a solid chance we have a 6-foot-3, 230-pound linebacker coming in for the 2027 campaign.

I also love Rice’s ability to read and react. He processes things and then pounces on the offensive player, which is impressive. He is extremely quick to the ball. Rice can also drop back in coverage and has the ability to cover tight ends and quick running backs out of the backfield.

The Illinois football blitz on in-state recruits continues with the addition of Sean Rice

I have been watching the Illinois football program for quite some time. I have never seen a recruiting class look like this from the start.

Illinois has four commitments right now, and all four players are in-state recruits. Bielema is building the Illinois roster with players who are from the area. That is fun to watch because it also helps as a draw for fans who have watched these players grow in the high school ranks.

Moreover, why not focus on recruiting in-state talent? It is not like these recruits who are committing have a sub-1500 national ranking. All commitments have been inside the top 1000, and the most recent, Sean Rice, is out of St. Laurence High School in Illinois. He is a top 900 recruit.

I love the recruiting strategy right now by Bielema. Secure talented recruits who are in your backyard. Let’s build this thing with local kids. This is a great move by our coaching staff.

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