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Monster 4-star recruit has eyes on Illinois football as top list narrows

Illinois football is in the running for quite a few big-time players, and adding this four-star wide receiver would be huge for the Orange and Blue.
ByRees Woodcock|
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Oct 14, 2023; College Park, Maryland, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini linebacker Gabe Jacas (17) huddles along the sidelines with teammates before the game against the Maryland Terrapins at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
Oct 14, 2023; College Park, Maryland, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini linebacker Gabe Jacas (17) huddles along the sidelines with teammates before the game against the Maryland Terrapins at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images | Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

The Illinois football program is looking to get back on track after a little hit the class of 2027.

Bret Bielema was cruising right along with the 2027 class. The Illini had two commitments, one being a quarterback of the future. Well, that quarterback is now with Michigan, leaving just Justin Johnson, a cornerback, as the lone commit.

Illinois needs to bolster the class of 2027, especially on offense. A great way to do that is with someone like Cade Cooper. On Monday, Hayes Fawcett of On3.com reported that Cooper has cut his top list down to just six teams. The six programs to make the list include Notre Dame, Georgia Tech, Georgia, Ole Miss, Nebraska, and Illinois.

This would be a massive get for any of the six programs. Cooper is a 6-foot-3, 192-pound wide receiver from Malvern Prep in Pennsylvania. He is rated as a four-star recruit and ranked as the No. 295 player in the class of 2027. He is also the No. 36 wide receiver in the country and the No. 9 player coming out of Pennsylvania.

According to 247Sports, three official visits have been scheduled so far. Cooper will head to Ole Miss on May 29, Georgia Tech on June 5, and Notre Dame on June 24.

The size of Cade Cooper is what sticks out the most, and Illinois football could use that size on the outside

Usually, when you get a taller wide receiver, they tend to be lankier. That isn’t the case with Cooper. This kid is built well. Size-wise, I think he will only mature and continue to get bigger and stronger. I could see him being like a DK Metcalf-type player.

Illinois hasn’t had that type of player out wide often. Pat Bryant had a little bit of that physical size to him, and he ended up being an NFL Draft pick.

Cooper could be next in line to be one of the great Illini wide receivers. One thing Bielema has shown me since taking over in December 2020 is that Illinois won’t be without a quarterback in the future. We bring in passers. All Cooper has to do is trust the process.

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