Illinois Football Offers Top Recruit in Big Ten Backyard

Illinois Football Offers Top Recruit in Big Ten Backyard

Illinois Football went to work on the recruiting trail on Tuesday, and the day’s focus seemed to be Bart Miller’s offensive line room. Both offers came out of Wolverines and Spartans territory, of course out of the great state of Michigan.

Darrin Strey

The first offer goes out to Darrin Strey, a top-500 recruit out of Paw Paw, Michigan. Strey hosts a massive frame standing in at 6’7 and 285 lbs. Darrin is currently ranked as a top 10 offensive tackle in the state of Michigan in the 2025 class, and a top 50 offensive tackle by several outlets. His film speaks for itself. He has a large frame and quick mobility. As a result, Darrin mauls defenders like chew toys. Bart Miller’s offensive line unit can always benefit from such a player at the tackle position. Bret Bielema and Bart Miller have always prioritized a run-heavy offense.

With such lengthy measurements, it is no wonder Strey is also a beast in the passing game and can create problems for a defensive end looking to find a confident way to set the edge, and get pressure. Look for Miller to stay on top of this guy, as the Illini will hope to get Strey on campus.

Reg SZN Highlights 1-9
6’7 285
2025
4.04 GPA
Uncommitted
T/DE/DT/LS
Paw Paw High School
8-1 | 3000+ Team Rushing
96 Pins 🥞 | 64 Tackles | 12 tfls
247 3 ⭐️ | @LemmingReport 4 ⭐️
Uncommitted
Here’s some of my best plays! @AllenTrieu https://t.co/k2W2KSkdpz pic.twitter.com/3R60PUMxGY

— Darrin Strey⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@darrin_strey) October 29, 2023

Gregory Patrick

Gregory Patrick is a 6’5 and 265-pound 15-year-old out of Portage, Michigan. Patrick is the second player out of the Great Lakes State to receive some impressive offers. The 2026 OT is already heavily sought after in Big Ten territory. He has reeled in early offers from the Big Ten programs in his home state. Standing in not quite as tall as Strey, but still quite the Big Ten frame for a high school sophomore. This also provides a great opportunity to put him into the interior as a guard or center if the opportunity is presented.

We have seen Miller utilize multiple guys in a “Swiss army knife” fashion. He has used players like Hunter Whitenack and Brandon Henderson early to plug and play to their needs on the OL. As a result, Patrick could earn some opportunity for some early snaps if needed. The young man has impressive film and will be a major recruit in the Midwest as he begins the second half of his career.

School record 43.9 points per game, 8-2 overall. No sacks or pressures allowed the whole season. Big off-season ahead for our team. https://t.co/tfpZtbiNY5

— Gregory Patrick (@gregpatrick75) November 3, 2023

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