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Texas wide receiver Cartrell Thomas is planning an official visit to Illinois

Good morning. Welcome to the Orange Minute for Sunday, July 10.

Photo via Student Sports

During an interview with Scout's Josh Harvey, three-star wide receiver Cartrell Thomas mentioned that he'll be taking an official visit to Illinois near the end of July. The Texas native is the No. 853 overall player in 247Sports' class-of-2017 composite rankings. Thomas has other Power 5 offers from Colorado and Texas Tech.

When asked if any schools in particular were recruiting him hard, Thomas mentioned that he's been in contact with new Illinois wideout coach Andrew Hayes-Stoker quite a bit. Additionally, he currently plans to announce his commitment sometime before high school season starts later this Fall.

The Illini already have verbal commitments from in-state wideouts Ricky Smalling and Kendall Smith, but the position is an area of need so the coaching staff will be looking to add a few more bodies to the mix. Rankings-wise, Thomas would be Illinois' second-best addition -- so he'd obviously be a nice boost to Lovie Smith's efforts.

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