Momentum seems to be steamrolling in favor of the Illinois football team landing another top recruit for 2025.
I have been impressed with what the Illini have done on the recruiting front this offseason. Bret Bielema has really gotten us off to a solid start for the class of 2025, and things are bound to get even better in the coming weeks.
As of right now, Illinois has the No. 44 ranked class in the country with nine commitments. The highest-rated recruit to pledge is wide receiver Brayden Trimble. Eight out of the nine recruits are currently ranked inside the top 1000 as well.
Illinois is looking to add another top 1000 recruit to the mix soon too. On Saturday, Illinois offered a scholarship to Desmond Straughton. Since then, things have really started to move quickly in his recruitment.
On the same day, not one, not two, not three, but four different people for 247Sports submitted a Crystal Ball Prediction. They all predict that Staughton will land with the Illini.
Straughton then took to social media on Monday to announce that he has plans to take an official visit to Champaign this weekend.
Super excited and blessed to be taking an official this upcoming weekend 🔥 @CoachSnowden @CoachCParker @DreBrownILL @AaronHenry7 #FamiLLy#ILL pic.twitter.com/oHhDlGQNkM
— Desmond Straughton 3 Star ⭐️ (@DesStraughton) June 17, 2024
This recruitment is in a whirlwind right now. Illinois has made so much progress in a short amount of time, and it feels like all momentum is in favor of the Orange and Blue. This would be a big commitment if we can pull it off as well.
Straughton is a 5-foot-11, 180-pound safety from Roseville High School in Michigan. He is rated as a three-star recruit and ranked as the No. 692 player in the class of 2025. He is also the No. 54 safety in the country and the No. 12 player coming out of Michigan.
Illinois football wants to give defensive coordinator Aaron Henry some weapons in the secondary
The Illini had some issues in the secondary last season. This was the area of weakness for the defense, as multiple key contributors departed for the NFL.
Illinois should be much improved in 2024, though. We added some great pieces, and those additions aren’t stopping anytime soon.
So far for the class of 2025, the Illini have added two players who are both projected as safeties. Andre Lovett is a huge addition, as he is a top 700 recruit nationally and is from the state of Illinois. I expect his impact to be felt early and often. I also like Xanai Scott. He is an underrated recruit from the state of Florida.
With two out of the nine commitments from the secondary, I think it would be great to add another in Straughton. He would help continue to stockpile talented defensive backs. The more depth the merrier.
Look for Illinois to hopefully add to the family in the coming week. Straughton would be a great addition and one that would pay big dividends down the road.