CHAMPAIGN — Illinois football’s junior day last month brought some of the top talent in the Midwest to Memorial Stadium for a snapshot view of Lovie Smith’s program.
St. Louis powerhouse and growing Illinois pipeline Trinity Catholic had a sizable contingent on campus. A big group from East St. Louis — shepherded by longtime coach Darren Sunkett and former Illini and Flyers’ graduate-turned-assistant coach Terry Hawthorne — represented the powerhouse program on the other side of the Mississippi River.
Most of the prospective recruits present that day at Memorial Stadium split off to watch various position groups.