Welp, it had been a pipe dream ever since the Fighting Illini reached out almost two weeks ago, but one of the country’s top junior college prospects will no longer be considering the Orange and Blue. Four-star defensive end Isaiah Buggs (LA) narrowed his college list to four SEC schools on Monday morning, including Auburn, Alabama, LSU, and Ole Miss.
— Isaiah Buggs (@BigPooh_91) August 29, 2016
"Wanna thank all the schools that offered me and gave me a chance to play ball at the highest college level possible, but as of now these are the schools that I will be looking hard into to continue my college football career! Thank you!"
I naively thought that Illinois had a decent pitch for the Louisiana native, especially considering that former JUCO prospect Jihad Ward just developed into a second round NFL Draft pick. But Lovie Smith and the Illini realistically aren’t anywhere near being able to compete against this top tier of schools on the recruiting trail. Ideally, that gap will shrink after a 6-7 win season this Fall.
Isaiah Buggs Highlights