Massive in-state Illinois football recruiting target is set to make a decision

Massive in-state Illinois football recruiting target is set to make a decision

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Massive in-state Illinois football recruiting target is set to make a decision
Illinois football head coach Bret Bielema
Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema walks across the field as the team arrives prior to the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Gies Memorial Stadium in Champaign on Oct. 11, 2025. | Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Illinois football team needs to build out the class of 2027, but things don't seem to be going well right now.

Most programs have a few players committed for 2027, but the Illini sit with just one commitment thus far. Four-star cornerback Justin Johnson is carrying the flag for the Orange and Blue. Don't worry, though, a huge month of June is coming with numerous official visits scheduled.

One of those official visits was to have Cameron Wagner check out Champaign. Well, that visit might not happen, as a decision is coming for the talented offensive lineman.

On Friday, Hayes Fawcett of On3.com reported that Wagner is going to make a commitment before he takes any official visit. He will decide between Oregon, Wisconsin, Notre Dame, and Illinois on Monday, May 11.

This is a change in direction for Wagner, as he was slated to start his official visit run on May 29 with a trip to Wisconsin. Illinois was next on June 5. He was then going to Oregon on June 12 and Notre Dame on June 19.

All four programs would love to have this mammoth of an offensive lineman on their roster. Wagner is a 6-foot-6, 300-pound offensive tackle who is the No. 345 player in the class of 2027.

The Cameron Wagner decision might not be the result that Illinois football fans were wanting

It would be nice if the Illini could land Wagner. He would be a great boost to the offensive line, and he would start from day one. It would also be nice to retain quality in-state talent.

The abrupt change in plans for Wanger is a red flag, though. To me, that means a program backed up the Brinks truck and wants to end this recruitment right now.

In the past couple of days, three 247Sports analysts put in a Crystal Ball Prediction for Oregon to land Wagner. I assumed that the Ducks, who have recently taken a visit to see Wagner, made a deal the offensive lineman couldn't refuse.

Illinois is playing with the big boys of the college football world. We are basketball-focused when it comes to NIL dollars. Sometimes, we can't compete with some of these teams, and I think this is one of those situations.

This article was originally published on www.writingillini.com as Massive in-state Illinois football recruiting target is set to make a decision.

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