Can Illinois Football Land This Prospect over Penn State?

Can Illinois Football Land This Prospect over Penn State?

I do not have many words for Illinois Football at this moment. Yesterday’s home loss in front of a waning home crowd was exhausting, deflating, however, not a new experience. I want to commend Robert Rosenthal (@alioneye and publisher of Illiniboard.com) for putting so many of our thoughts into words. Also, Mike Carpenter of the 200 Level does a great job of encapsulating my thoughts and macro-feelings very eloquently and in entertaining fashion.

Despite this, Illinois has to move on. Though this season was a failure in many ways, Bret Bielema is still the head man. He will be the head man for a number of years. If Bielema does not work out with this staff, I am not sure what can work at Illinois.

Some positive news

Illinois hosted a slew of visitors this past weekend. They are trying to tap into the JUCO market as much as possible. They are in need of difference makers and need to win now, however, their sell for true difference makers falls short to the numerous bells and whistles other SEC or Big 12 problems have. JUCO players can provide experience, however finding day one difference makers can be difficult. However, Bret Bielema will not give up on prep recruiting. That was evident as they hosted an interior offensive lineman, Andrew Dennis. Dennis is a top 175 prospect from Michigan who recently decommitted from MSU.

Following three official visits including #illini, four-star Composite OL Andrew Dennis (@andrewdennis_08) is getting into decision-making mode.

"It's been hectic," he said.

Dennis discusses Illinois, his other two suitors and what's next ⤵️

READ: https://t.co/xBNO7inlYN pic.twitter.com/uI0czYUt7x

— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) November 26, 2023

He is nearing his decision, and Illinois is at the top of his list with Penn State and Clemson.

Not so much of a longshot.

Plenty of individuals would say that Illinois has no chance, however, think otherwise. On 247, Dennis has racked up 2 crystal balls to… The University of Illinois. That would be massive. Dennis would be a crown jewel of a recruit to a decent 2024 class and would prove to other recruits that Illinois football is not dead in the water just yet.

As recruiting goes, nothing is official. However, like landing Kofi Cockburn after losing at home to FAU, Illinois has some signs of life.

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