How Coaching Carousel is Impacting Four Top Illinois Prospects

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>***Use Code “BLACKFRIDAY2025” for 50% off your annual subscription THIS WEEK ONLY***</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the college coaching carousel, it inevitably impacts high school football recruiting.&nbsp; Players that coaches have left or a new coach has been hired there are going to be questions about their commitment as we near National Signing Day on Wednesday.&nbsp; Here are some of the prospects to keep an eye on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["212319"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-692dceeaa8eed"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Anderson is the #5 overall prospect in the 2026 class is a nationally ranked tight end that was heavily pursued by schools nationally, but particularly in the SEC.&nbsp; He ultimately chose Ole Miss over Illinois and Auburn.&nbsp; First decision with Anderson will be does he stick with Ole Miss after Kiffin has left.&nbsp; Next will be if he follows him to LSU.&nbsp; The Tigers were a school that was definitely involved with Anderson during the recruiting process the first time around.&nbsp; As of the time of this story there has been no affirmation of his commitment to Ole Miss.&nbsp; With Kiffin being an offensive guy and part of the offensive staff leaving with him it wouldn't shock us if Anderson opens this back up or flips to LSU.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tuesday Update: Anderson has flipped his commitment to LSU joining Lane Kiffin in Baton Rouge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["212322"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-692dceeaa8f78"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Washington is the top ranked wide receiver in the state and a monster return threat as well.&nbsp; He is electric downfield threat and with the ball in the open floor.&nbsp; Michigan State has fired their head coach and is in the process of finalizing a deal with former Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald to become the head coach.&nbsp; Washington tweeted Sunday night “While I remain committed to MSU, I am opening my recruitment until early signing day.”&nbsp; So he is definitely willing to listen to other offers, pitches, and NIL opportunities for schools looking for a pass catcher late in the process.&nbsp; Also a side note is Washington will be dealing with this along with having to play Tuesday night for a state championship in 5A as it was rescheduled because of the weekend weather.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1619545"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-692dceeaa8fd9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Reed is the #28 overall player and #8 defensive lineman in the 2026 class.&nbsp; He is a physical edge rusher that can do it with power and speed.&nbsp; Reed flipped his commitment from Wisconsin to Ole Miss where he has been committed for a while now.&nbsp; His story is a bit different than Anderson.&nbsp; The defensive coordinator was hired to take over as the head coach and it looks like they will retain a good portion of the defensive staff which plays in the favor of Reed staying.&nbsp; He posted a photo on Sunday of him in an Ole Miss uniform with the works “Locked in”.&nbsp; Essentially reaffirming his commitment along with retweeting fellow Rebels commits doing so.&nbsp; Seems like he is back in the fold, but you never know until pen hits paper as LSU did pursue him before.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tuesday Update: Reed announced he has received a re-offer from LSU under Lane Kiffin. Stay tuned!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tuesday Night Update: Reed says he will announce his final decision between Ole Miss and LSU on Wednesday at 3:15 PM.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1669545"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-692dceeaa9068"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Tilson is the top ranked safety in the 2026 class in Illinois.&nbsp; He has been committed to Kentucky since June.&nbsp; Sunday night the Wildcats fired head coach Mark Stoops.&nbsp; No word from Tilson yet on the status of his commitment as he has not confirmed anything to us directly or on social media.&nbsp; The hard hitting back end player will have a decision to make in the next few days before Wednesday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br>Tuesday Update: Tilson says he is still committed to Kentucky, but will listen to other schools until Friday when the early signing period closes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->