Illinois Football Recruiting Update: July 3

Illinois picked up two more commits yesterday to the Class of 2019 with Washington transfer linebacker Camilo Eifler and in-state wide receiver Fabian McCray bringing the class to 10 players.

Let’s take a quick look at the newest Illini and some updates on other prospects in the class.

Camilo Eifler

Camilo Eifler is a former four-star recruit who is transfering to Illinois from Washington. He will sit out 2018 and have two years left to play, starting in 2019.

Illinois desperately needed a linebacker, and still needs to add more to this class. Eifler should slot right into Del’Shawn Phillips’ spot after he graduates this year and should be a solid starter.

A lot of focus will be on the “former four-star recruit’ with Eifler, but let’s be honest with what Illinois is really getting. He was third-string as Washington. Washington has an elite defense and Eifler is a huge get for Illinois, but if he were a JUCO recruit rather than a transfer, he wouldn’t be a four-star.

Eifler is more mobile than Phillips is, and will at the very least give Illinois a decent starter for two seasons as they look to rebuild linebacker depth.

Fabian McCray

The second recruit Illinois picked up yesterday was Phillips Academy wideout Fabian McCray.

McCray is a top-15 prospect in the state of Illinois for 2019, and these are the types of guys the Illini need to keep in state as they look to rebuild recruiting relationships that were damaged under Tim Beckman.

Kyron Cumby

Cumby committed to the Illini on June 21.

He is a very fast — but small — all-purpose back listed at 5-foot-7 and 160 pounds. I could see him being a very versatile player for Illinois in the future, working both from the slot and in the backfield. Rod Smith will love to throw some screen passes to this guy and get the ball in the hands of someone with speed.

Nick Fedanzo

The day after Cumby committed, Illinois picked up another running back in Lombard, Illinois’ Nick Fedanzo.

He is a bigger back at 6-foot and 200 pounds, and is more of a traditional running back. Fedanzo has good speed for his size and could be a nice player for Illinois to develop.

Shammond Cooper & Ira Henry

There isn’t much of an update for either of the two remaining Trinity Catholic prospects that Illinois is hot on the trail of. Illinois is going up against some of the blue bloods of college football to try and get both, and it hopes that its relationship with their former head coach Cory Patterson can help put the Illini over the edge.

Shammon Cooper would be a huge get in particular. He is a top-ten ranked linebacker and could be a starter from day one for Illinois, who still have a big need at linebacker (even with Eifler). Oklahoma and Clemson are also strong contenders for Cooper.

Ira Henry put Illinois in his top ten among a impressive list of schools, despite the three-star not being especially highly ranked.

It’s more likely that Illinois will get Henry than Cooper in my eyes, but when schools like Alabama are interested, it’s always going to be tough.

Jacob Bandes

The four-star defensive tackle prospect out of California announced on June 22 that he will go on an official visit to Illinois on October 12.

Illinois will have its homecoming game against Purdue the following day. Some of the big boys in the Pac-12 are all after Bandes, along with Alabama, but Illinois is at least in the running at this point.

A friendly reminder that defensive line is a position you always want to stockpile talent in.

Deven Brantley

Illinois extended an offer to the pass rusher out of Georgia on July 2.

Brantley plays both standing up as an edge rushing linebacker and down in a stance as a defensive end. He could potential play either linebacker or defensive end for Illinois, but would likely need to add weight to play on the line (6-foot-3, 220 pounds). Brantley also holds offers from Missouri and Tennessee, among others.

Illinois needs pass rushers in this class, and Brantley’s highlights show a player with some good burst and a nose for the ball.

Maurice Massey

Illinois made the top five for the 6-foot-4 wide receiver out of St. Charles, Missouri.

With Cory Patterson now on staff, Illinois is looking to make an even bigger push in the St. Louis area — even if it’s not at Trinity Catholic.

He was going head to head with current Illini commit Marquez Beason in the Opening.

William Pritchard

Illinois made the top five for the Virginia offensive lineman, but Prichard decided to stay in-state and commit to Virginia Tech.

This is another offensive line miss in this class for Illinois. Illinois does have an abundance of sophomores on the roster and six freshman, but to maintain a healthy balance you also want to take a few lineman each year.

Illinois is still in the running for Trinity Catholic prospect Ira Henry and Algonquin’s Joacheim Price.

Denver Warren

Illinois made the top five for four-star DT Denver Warren. The class of 2020 prospect just announced his commitment to Michigan on July 3.

Warren is an in-state prospect, and it’s always disappointing to lose out Illinois recruits to other Big Ten programs.

Illinois will still keep tabs with Warren however given that he is a class of 2020 prospect, and a lot can happen in the next two seasons — like a bowl game.

Which recruits are on your wish list?

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