Illinois Football recruiting: How JUCO LB Ismael Kante impacts the Illini

Illinois Football Picks Up No. 1 Rated 2025 JUCO Linebacker

Illinois Football has added to a major position of need, as 3-star JUCO Linebacker Ismael Kante pledged his commitment to the Illini on Sunday Afternoon.

Wouldn’t want it any other way…ILLINI NATION WHAT UP⁉️#famILLY #Illini @BretBielema @AaronHenry7 @coacharchiemac @GrantMorgan31 @IlliniFootball pic.twitter.com/0k4wkWcICh

— Ismael Kante 🇬🇳 (@IsmaelKante5) December 1, 2024

The Brooklyn Park, Minnesota native totaled 71 tackles, 9.5 TFLs, 4.0 sacks, and 5 PBUs for Iowa Central last season, on his way to becoming to No. 1 ranked JUCO LB in the class of 2025 according to 247 Sports.

Kante held offers from Cal, Kansas State, Temple, Utah State, UMass, Louisiana-Monroe, LA Tech, Northern Iowa, and Eastern Michigan. However, it appears the recent resurgence of Illinois Football was an enticing sell for Bret Bielema and company

Impact?

I would expect Kante to make a run for an immediate impact in Champaign.

When healthy, Dylan Rosiek and James Kreutz give the Illinois Football some productive between-the-tackles playmakers. However, it was obvious at times throughout the 2024 regular season that injuries and inconsistent play derived a need for added depth in the form of an athletic field-stretching presence.

Kante fits the bill, using his ability to make great pre-snap reads and notable quickness to close the distance and make plays on the ball. At times, the Illini have really struggled with athletic quarterbacks and stretch offenses in general. Adding more athleticism to the room was an obvious need and a really nice pickup for Archie McDaniel.

Could adding Ismael into the rotation with Malachi Hood (who had a breakout game vs Northwestern) Rosiek and Kreutz be your answer at Linebacker in 2025?  Transitioning to a Big Ten defense will undoubtedly present challenges for the Sophomore (Junior in 2025), but if he gets to work with Tank Wright early and often, expect him to have a presence on Aaron Henry’s defense in 2025.

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