Illinios is off to a nice 2-1 start on the gridiron this season, but the picture is not quite as rosy for the Fighting Illini in the recruiting race. Tim Beckman’s team is falling behind most of the Big Ten.
Illinois recruiting 2013: Illini fighting to keep up with B1G competition
Illinois is struggling to keep up in the Big Ten recruiting arms race.
Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Illinois currently has 12 prospects verbally committed for the Class of 2013, besting only Indiana, Purdue and Minnesota. All 12 are rated as three-star players, according to the 247Sports composite rankings, leaving the Illini in ninth place among Big Ten programs in the 247 team rankings. Illinois ranks 63rd nationally.
The Illini had a nice run of success over the summer, adding eight commitments in June and July, but since the beginning of preseason camp at the beginning of August, things have slowed down. Cornerback Tyree Stone-Davis and wide receiver Geronimo Allison are the most recent players to pledge, and they made their moves on July 25.
Illinois’ recruiting efforts have been focused mostly on offense so far, and its top commitments fall on that side of the ball. Out of Woodland Hills, Calif., Pierce CC, wide receiver Tyrin Stone-Davis, Tyree’s brother, is the seventh-best JUCO wideout in the class and No. 12 player in the state of California, per 247Composite. Chayce Crouch of Newark (Ohio) Catholic is rated as the No. 31 pro-style quarterback and No. 40 player from Ohio for this recruiting cycle. Center Nick Allegretti plays his high school ball at Frankfort, Ill., Lincon-Way East and is 13th-best center and 30th-best player from Illinois.
