Writing Illini
Fansided

Illinois football is battling some big Texas programs for elite wide receiver

It is going to be a tough fight, but the Illinois football program is at least getting an official visit from a big-time Texas wide receiver
ByRees Woodcock|
Share on FacebookShare on XShare on Reddit
Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema motions during the first half of the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Gies Memorial Stadium in Champaign on Oct. 11, 2025.
Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema motions during the first half of the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Gies Memorial Stadium in Champaign on Oct. 11, 2025. | Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Illinois football needs wide receiver talent, and we are tapping into one of the deepest recruiting states in the country.

For the class of 2027, the Illini need to pair current quarterback commit Kamden Lopati with some solid pass-catchers. He is going to need weapons on the outside, and that weapon could be Briceson Thrower.

It has been confirmed by multiple outlets that Thrower is taking an official visit to Illinois on the weekend of June 12. This is a recruitment that would be huge for the Illini to win.

Thrower is a 6-foot-3, 175-pound wide receiver from North Forney High School in Texas. He is rated as a three-star recruit and ranked as the No. 419 player in the class of 2027. He is also the No. 54 wide receiver in the country and the No. 55 player coming out of Texas.

With roughly 45 scholarship offers, Illinois was lucky enough to land an official visit. We are going up against some impressive Texas programs for Thrower’s commitment as well. In addition to the visit to Champaign, Thrower will also stop by Texas A&M on May 28, Texas Tech on June 5, and Texas on June 15.

Briceson Thrower will have a quality quarterback under center if he picks the Illinois football program

Honestly, it is going to be so tough to compete with the other programs that are getting official visits. We know that all three programs Illinois is fighting against have deeper pockets than the Orange and Blue.

Illinois can at least say that we have a quality quarterback in Lopati coming in with Thrower. Lopati just finished up his junior campaign, where he threw for 2,671 yards and 34 touchdowns. He also had 730 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground.

Bret Bielema wants to build a quality offense each season at Illinois. Lopati was a big first piece. Now, let’s pull in a big-time wide receiver like Thrower and give the Orange and Blue faithful a hope at winning the Big Ten.

Home/Illinois Football Recruiting