Illinois 2025 Recruiting Hauls: Power 4 Programs

What Power 4 programs made a major impact recruiting in the state of Illinois in the 2025 class?  These programs landed at least two prospects with several grabbing many more!   Cincinnati   The Bearcats hit the Chicago suburbs landing a silky smooth defensive back in Bolingbrook 5'11” [player_tooltip player_id='1292111' first='Jermaine' last='Jones'] along with 6'6” Glenbrook North offensive tackle [player_tooltip player_id='1292099' first='Samuel' last='Paich'].  Both prospects are peaking at the right time as well coming off strong senior years with both getting bumps in our rankings update next week.   Illinois   The Illini landed seven prospects from their home state.  They have four pass catchers in this class led by Mt. Zion versatile weapon [player_tooltip player_id='278901' first='Brayden' last='Trimble'] who plays like Percy Harvin did back in the day being both a pass catcher and running the ball.  Pair of excellent tight ends are in the Illini class in [player_tooltip player_id='830242' first='Logan' last='Farrell'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1292241' first='Grant' last='Smith'].  Farrell has been the top TE in the class from early in the process.  They flipped him from North Carolina.  Smith is a late bloomer who has the physical tools and a big senior year.  [player_tooltip player_id='330443' first='Trey' last='Peters'] out of Mahomet-Seymour is the fourth of the pass catchers.  The highest ranked prospect in the class is safety [player_tooltip player_id='278884' first='Andre' last='Lovett'].  Long and rangy player on the backend that is super fluid in coverage.  Landed on a pair of highly ranked lineman as well with one on each side of the ball.  Andrew offensive tackle [player_tooltip player_id='830843' first='Michael' last='McDonough'] is a massive tackle with a ton of upside while Homewood Flossmoor defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='162631' first='Cameron' last='Brooks'] will be soaring up the board after a massive senior campaign.   Iowa   The Hawkeyes raided their state to the east grabbing seven prospects in the class.  It is headlined by top ranked defensive end [player_tooltip player_id='830235' first='Iose' last='Epenesa'] from Edwardsville.  The All-American from the metro east was a legacy recruit that they had to land and they secured it.  Game changing pass rusher and run defender who can be the anchor of their defense going forward.  The run on defenders continued with Sycamore linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='278895' first='Burke' last='Gautcher'] and Oswego linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='831092' first='Carson' last='Cooney'] who are two of the best in the state at their position.  On the defensive line they have a powerful prospect in Marist's [player_tooltip player_id='830245' first='Brad' last='Fitzgibbon'] to go with Epenesa.  Offensively [player_tooltip player_id='331441' first='Terrence' last='Smith'] was a wide receiver commit they fought hard for against Big 10 rival Minnesota as he is an elite athlete at 6'4”.  Loyola stars offensive weapon [player_tooltip player_id='831094' first='Drew' last='MacPherson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1292076' first='Ryan' last='Fitzgerald'] bring winning pedigrees and high floors as prospects!   Iowa State   The other program from the state also made an impact getting commitments from a trio of prospects.  It was the western and southwestern suburbs where the Cyclones did their damage grbbing a pair of intriguing athletes that will probably project in the defensive backfield in [player_tooltip player_id='830846' first='Mason' last='Ellens'] (Glenbard West) and [player_tooltip player_id='1564027' first='Lamarcus' last='Hicks'] (Maine West) while wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='359605' first='Dyllan' last='Malone'] brings a pass catching theat on the outside.  All three made jumps in our ranking next week.   Missouri   Mizzou is the only program with a pair of prospects ranked inside the top 10 in the senior class. They got the job done right across the border in the metro east from power programs. Althoff defensive end [player_tooltip player_id='258001' first='Jason' last='Dowell'] is a big time defender against the run who improved as a pass rusher this season showing his quickness and great use of his hands. East St. Louis safety Charles Bass is the highest ranked defensive back in the class. He is a game changing safety that is physical hitting and in run support while also having the instincts along with athleticism in coverage.   Northwestern   Seven in-state prospects for the Big 10 program from Evanston.  They all come from high level programs as well.  The headliner is [player_tooltip player_id='832141' first='Caden' last='O'Rourke'] of Lincoln Way East.  Well built defensive end who can really get after the quarterback during power into speed.  Also on the defensive side Lincoln Way West linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1291998' first='Josh' last='Veldman'] fits what the Wildcats do.  They also picked up a walk on in Wheaton St. Francis defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='146365' first='Seth' last='Valeri'] late.  Offensively [player_tooltip player_id='299479' first='Brennan' last='Saxe'] had a MONSTER season and will be a top 30 prospect next week in the state.  Listed as an athlete he was one of the most prolific pass catchers in the state this year.  Also got a good tight end in [player_tooltip player_id='1292142' first='Noah' last='LaPorte'] out of Princeton.  Up front it is big fella [player_tooltip player_id='1292060' first='Michael' last='O'Connell'] who broke out over the last year as a 6'7” upside offensive tackle.  New Trier kicker [player_tooltip player_id='831104' first='Nikola' last='Dugandzic'] is also park of the class being one of the best specialists in Illinois.   Notre Dame   The Irish landed three players for their front seven from Illinois.  Christopher Burgess out of Simeon is one of the most explosive edge rushers in the class.  At defensive tackle [player_tooltip player_id='163858' first='Joseph' last='Reiff'] from York is a physical player that took his team to state with his play and leadership.  [player_tooltip player_id='830241' first='Dominik' last='Hulak'] out of IC Catholic is an absolute force at linebacker as a punishing tackler.   Vanderbilt   Vandy came in to land a couple of prospects we feel are under the radar nationally.  Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='131488' first='Jack' last='Elliott'] is a winner that makes the right plays and has an advanced understanding of the game at a young age.  They flipped Naperville Central defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1291993' first='Jake' last='Stanish'] late in the process giving them a nice piece up front.   Wisconsin   The Badgers were also a big flipper as they got superstar Palatine defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='830236' first='Jaylen' last='Williams'] to change his commitment from Michigan to Wisconsin.  He is huge, athletic, and skilled.  Everything you could want in a versatile Big 10 defensive lineman coming out of high school.  Also got one of my favorites in Morgan Park corner [player_tooltip player_id='830246' first='Jahmare' last='Washington'] who has a chance to develop into an elite cover corner down the line.  Great footwork and instincts.

What Power 4 programs made a major impact recruiting in the state of Illinois in the 2025 class? These programs landed at least two prospects with several grabbing many more!