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Illinois football one step closer to landing in-state tight end

In need of some tight end help, the Illinois football program has multiple lines in the water for this key position.
ByRees Woodcock|
Oct 14, 2023; College Park, Maryland, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema loos onto the field during the first half against the Maryland Terrapins at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
Oct 14, 2023; College Park, Maryland, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema loos onto the field during the first half against the Maryland Terrapins at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images | Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

The Illinois football team has a great class of 2026 so far, but the momentum needs to continue

It is official visit season, as recruits from all over the country check out their top schools. A part of the official visit season is commitments. That is why the Illini have dropped in their national recruiting ranking.

As of right now, Illinois has the No. 14 class in the country, down from the No. 10 class just days ago. That is okay, though. There are still plenty of big-time recruits left on the board. One of the talented players Illinois is hopefully going to pull in is Will Vala.

On Tuesday, Vala took to social media to announce that he was going to be taking one of his official visits to Illinois. This official visit will start this weekend. The following weekend, June 12, he makes a trip to Wisconsin. Vala then finishes with Indiana on June 20.

Vala would be a nice addition for any of these programs. He is a 6-foot-3, 225-pound tight end from Downers Grove North High School in Illinois. He is rated as a three-star recruit and ranked as the No. 68 tight end in the country. He is also the No. 37 player coming out of Illinois.

Bret Bielema is trying to load Illinois up at the tight end position

I love the potential of Illinois landing a nice big tight end like Vala. The size he brings to the table is exciting, and I think he would be a great option on the end of the line blocking and rolling out for receptions.

Illinois’ focus for the class of 2026 has been tight end-heavy, too. Bret Bielema clearly wants to land a couple of tight ends to help bolster the future of the program.

Vala is just the latest of the big-time tight ends coming out of the state of Illinois. Mack Sutter is the No. 7 tight end in the country, and Illinois is still in the running for him. We are also after JC Anderson, the No. 10 tight end in the nation.

I believe Illinois is going to land multiple solid tight ends for the class of 2026. It is a matter of who and not if.

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