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Three-star defensive tackle Juan Harris commits to Indiana over Illinois, Minnesota

This is tough recruiting loss for Lovie Smith and Illinois.

By Jim Vainisi
Photo via Student Sports

Three-star defensive tackle Juan Harris has committed to the Indiana Hoosiers over Illinois and Minnesota. Harris, a former Iowa commit, is the No. 803 overall player in 247Sports' class-of-2017 composite rankings. The 6-foot-4, 370-pound prospect also had offers from Michigan State and Penn State.

I mean, on the surface this seems like a really bad recruiting loss for Lovie Smith and the Fighting Illini. The defensive line is a huge area of weakness going forward, and Harris would've given them a quality piece heading into the Fall. However, this race may not be completely over for Illinois. Harris decommitted from Iowa three times prior to this latest verbal, so it's not out of the question that he may reconsider again in the coming months.

Illinois also lost out on three-star running back Chase Hayden this weekend. So is it time to start worrying? I don't think so, but the Illini have to start landing some pieces soon.

Illinois' recruiting class currently ranks dead last in the Big Ten, and No. 84 in the country. I don't think it's quite time to start worrying, but if Lovie Smith isn't able to land a few commitments during the team's upcoming recruiting event, it might be time to start questioning the staff's short-term progress.