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Recruiting roundup: Coaches hit the trail during bye week

bucshon

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Sep 16, 2006
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The Illinois staff will be out in full force on the recruiting trail, including head coach Lovie Smith. It's Lovie's first recruiting trip because of NCAA rules, so he's looking forward to the opportunity to visit some high schools.

All of the top in-state kids in 2017 and 2018 will likely get a visit, as well as the top kids in St. Louis and Indianapolis. An Illini coach will watch Jeff Thomas and East. Louis St. Louis take on Belleville (Ill.) West on Friday.

Illinois is in great shape early for 2018 in-state prospects QB Quincy Patterson and DL Verdis Brown. Both will get a visit this week.

Expect stops in Chicago, California, Florida, Texas, Ohio, Arizona, Alabama and elsewhere checking out high school kids.

Also some JUCOs in Kansas, Arizona, and Oklahoma could get visits from Illini coaches. Illinois is looking at JUCO defensive linemen, offensive linemen, and cornerbacks.

Illinois will likely visit most of their 2017 commits this week. When they stop by Miami Central to check on Carmoni Green, they will also visit his teammate 4-star defensive end Owen Carney.

Two 2017's that could be nearing a decision are Cincinnati prospects RB Ra'Von Bonner and OL Howard Watkins. Bonner loves Illinois and is having a great senior season. It's just a matter of continuing to build that relationship. Watkins is mulling over a decision between Illinois, Louisville, and Cincinnati.

A couple of in-state kids may be close to picking up offers; 2017 wide receiver JalinTolbert from Warren Township and 2018 athlete TJ Ivy from Chicago Marist.

Other prospects to watch:

Alec Jackson, 2017 DE, Montgomery (Ala.) Jefferson Davis
Preston Mixon, 2017 OL, Montgomery Jefferson Davis
Tony Fields, 2017 LB, Las Vegas (NV) Desert Pines (Arizona commit)
Elijah Blades, 2017 CB, Pasadena (Calif.) Muir
Ezekiel Noah, 2017 LB, La Mesa (Calif.) Helix
Trajon Cotton, 2017 ATH, Sacramento (Calif.) Inderkum
Hunter Echols, 2017 RB, Los Angeles Cathedral (USC commit)
Rahyme Johnson, 2017 LB, Los Angeles Salesian
Odua Isabor, 2017 DE, Phoenix (AZ) St Mary's
Jalen Harris, 2017 DE, Mesa (AZ) Desert Ridge
Keisean Nixon, 2017 CB, Arizona Western C.C.
Reggie Robertson, 2017 WR, Mesquite (Texas)
Nelson Mbanasor, 2017 DE, Pflugerville (Texas) Hendrickson
Isaiah Johnson, 2017 DT, NE Oklahoma A&M
 
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