Our college football writer is counting down the days until the 2019 season. Here are his most important Illini recruits of the past three decades:
1. Arrelious Benn, Wide receiver
He went to the microphone at a restaurant in Washington D.C. and made a commitment to Illinois on national TV. Didn't see that one coming. Illinois doesn't reach the 2008 Rose Bowl without his 54-catch rookie season.
2. Kurt Kittner, Quarterback
Ron Turner found the right guy to lead his program after a winless 1997 season. Two years later, the Schaumburg product sparked Illinois to eight wins and took the Big Ten title as a senior.