There is plenty of talent in Illinois. I refuse to accept the thought otherwise.
The Illini DID NOT GET ONE TOP 30 PLAYER IN THE STATE from this 2021 class -
Rivals IL top 2021
Not one is 2020 class -
Rivals IL top 2020
(2) for the 2019 class -
Rivals IL top 2019
(2) for the 2018 class -
IL Rivals top 2018
they didn't even offer the #1 in the state a scholarship!!!
MAC UIHLEIN & he's going to NW. He's not going to OSU, Alabama, USC, etc. He's going to NW and not even an offer from U of I???
Their highest rated recruit, QB
Samair Collier...chose U of I over Toledo and New Mexico St.
Their recruit that got the most pub in the newspapers yesterday was Olin Kreutz boy OL
Josh Kreutz. I hope he is a heck of a player but he didn't have one other power 5 offer.
J.J. McCarthy never even took a visit there. But did visit NW (2x) & WI.
Indiana, Minnesota, Purude, Wisconsin, Toledo, NIU, NW, Iowa, Western Freakin Michigan all come in and out recruit U of I in their own state each year.
There is loads of talent here in Illinois. They would be a heck of a program if they would spend some time recruiting it. No reason they couldn't have 50% of their class each year be Illinois kids and have a top 25 program.