The class of 2018 isn’t getting talked about enough. While only ranked as the No. 52 class in the nation, the Illini were able to snag some really talented players from areas of the map that were previously unfamiliar. Players like Calvin Avery and Verdis Brown – to name a few – will do great things in the Orange and Blue.
Lovie Smith and the Illinois coaching staff then parlayed the recruiting momentum from the class of 2018 into the class of 2019. This class is only seven strong right now, but there will be more players to come.