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Superstar tight end recruit predicted to find home with the Illinois football

Illinois needs to continue this great recruiting energy, and landing this big-time tight end would help bolster the class of 2026 greatly.
ByRees Woodcock|
Oct 19, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini players wear the throwback helmets and uniforms in honor of legendary Red Grange and the 100th anniversary of Memorial Stadium before the game against the Michigan Wolverines. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images
Oct 19, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini players wear the throwback helmets and uniforms in honor of legendary Red Grange and the 100th anniversary of Memorial Stadium before the game against the Michigan Wolverines. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images | Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

The recruiting road has been pretty smooth thus far for the Illinois football program.

What we have seen Bret Bielema put together has been nothing short of impressive. The Illini sit with 16 commitments and a national recruiting ranking of No. 10 in the country. The crazy part is, Illinois has lost a four-star recruit in the middle of this process, and we are still holding our own nationally.

There are still plenty of big-time options looking for a home. Illinois has been in the mix for numerous talented recruits, and one is now predicted to land in Champaign.

On Thursday, Adam Gorney of Rivals put together a list of the top five uncommitted tight ends and where he thinks each player will land.

There are two tight ends coming out of the state of Illinois who the Illini have been hot and heavy for in the last year or so. Mack Sutter and JC Anderson are those two rare talents.

Gorney has Sutter, the No. 71 player in the class of 2026 according to Rivals, heading not to Illinois but to Alabama. He has the Crimson Tide swooping in and snagging the top 100 recruit. Gorney does mention that Illinois is still pushing hard for Sutter.

While Sutter might be a lost dream, Gorney does have Anderson landing with the Illini. Gorney mentions that Ole Miss, North Carolina, and Auburn, all of whom have an official visit lined up with Anderson, are trailing Illinois for Anderson’s commitment.

Illinois landing JC Anderson would still make massive waves throughout the recruiting landscape

I would love if Illinois could land both Sutter and Anderson. Could you imagine both tight ends lining up in the Illini offense? That would be an unstoppable duo.

Landing just Anderson would still be massive. 247Sports has Anderson as the No. 148 player in the class of 2026 and the No. 8 tight end in the country. His commitment would help launch Illinois from the No. 10 recruiting class in the nation to somewhere inside the top eight for sure.

I believe Anderson would be the highest rated tight end commit for the Illini since we snagged Jeff Cumberland back in 2006. He was a top 150 recruit and a part of some special Illinois recruiting classes under Ron Zook.

Give me Anderson, and then let’s pray for Sutter. Illinois is in a good position right now, and with the way this program has been recruiting, who knows how high the ceiling can be?

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