Illinois fighting to great early start
When one thinks of recruiting dominance in the Big 10, perhaps one would think of Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State or perhaps Michigan State or Wisconsin.
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Seeing one or more of those schools bring in a recruiting class among the country’s Top 20 classes would not be surprising in say the past five years or so. Last year for instance most felt Ohio State landed a national top five class, and most felt Michigan was pushing the top 10.
But this year in the early going Ron Turner and his Fighting Illini are off to a great start, with Barry Alvarez and the Wisconsin Badgers doing quite well also.
But for now let’s focus on Illinois.
Turner is off to a great start in his home state securing commitments from five prospects already. That group of five is headed by two fine offensive linemen, Kevin Gage and James Ryan.
Perhaps running behind those two linemen someday will be two outstanding in-state backs in Pierre Thomas and A.J. Johnson.
From out-of-state the Fighting Illini have secured a commitment from one of the top quarterbacks in the state of Michigan, Dajuan Warren.
The list of seven Illinois’ commitments is rounded out with athlete Steve Octavien from Florida and another in-state player, wide receiver Kelvin Hayden.
At this early point it’s impossible to say where the Illini will finish in the recruiting wars come February. But all signs point to this good start continuing throughout the recruiting process.
Turner has his program coming off a Big Ten championship and now he intends to cash in on the recruiting front.