First of three important recruiting weekends has arrived
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Jun. 4—June has turned into a crucial month for Bret Bielema and Illinois with work still to be done in building a 2027 recruiting class. The Illini have just four commits — all three-star prospects
from the state of Illinois — for a class that currently ranks last in the Big Ten and 70th nationally.
The next three weekends will see numerous prospects take official visits. Here's eight to know
ahead of their Friday arrival in Champaign, courtesy Illinois beat writer Scott Richey:
Hezikiah Kelley
Northwest (Ohio)
Kelley committed to hometown Cincinnati a year ago, but pulled back from that decision in December to re-enter the market. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound safety, who got his Illinois offer in mid-May, is a top-25 prospect in Ohio. The three-star prospect is also slated to visit Kentucky next weekend.
Keyon Thomas
Warren Central (Ind.)
Illinois also offered Thomas in May and quickly secured an official visit with Iowa and Cincinnati also getting the 6-foot, 205-pound running back on campus this month. Thomas, a three-star recruit and top-20 prospect in Indiana, rushed for 1,337 yards and 19 touchdowns as a junior.
Henry Sakalas
Nazareth Academy
The Big Ten seems like Sakalas' ultimate destination, as Illinois will have to contend with Michigan State and Nebraska. The 6-3, 195-pound safety visited the Spartans last month and has a visit scheduled with Nebraska next weekend. The Illini will try to keep the three-star prospect home instead.
Don Spillers
Martin Luther King (Mich.)
Where Spillers winds up on the field, regardless of his college choice, is his biggest recruiting variable. The King product is ranked as a three-star wide receiver, but he also plays in the secondary and can return kicks and punts. Michigan State and Louisville are also in contention for the highly versatile athlete.
Gavin Ericson-Staton
Montini
Iowa State secured a commitment from the 6-5, 270-pound offensive lineman in April. Then Illinois offered a month later, opening the door for this weekend's visit. Ericson-Staton, a three-star prospect, played last season for the Class 4A state champion Broncos, although he didn't appear in the title game.
Ryan Paulsen
Central DeWitt (Iowa)
Paulsen's trip to Illinois comes between official visits to Iowa State and Minnesota. The Illini could have an advantage, though, considering they were the 6-4, 230-pound edge rusher's first Power Four offer. Paulsen is coming off a junior season where he had 40 tackles, 17 tackles for loss and five sacks.
Cade Newman
Ankeny Centennial (Iowa)
Bret Bielema and Co. could be in another recruiting battle with new Iowa State coach Jimmy Rogers when it comes to Newman given the 6-5, 220-pound tight end took an official visit to Ames, Iowa, last weekend. Newman, a three-star recruit, will visit Illinois less than a month after earning an offer.
Sladen Shack
Brandon (Miss.)
Illinois had to get back in the quarterback market after four-star Kamden Lopati flipped to Michigan. Other potential targets landed elsewhere, including Dane Weber at California and Logan Flaherty at Florida State. That leaves Shack as the only uncommitted quarterback currently on the Illini's board.
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