Illinois Fighting Illini

Illinois Football: Nelson Mbanasor Commits to Texas Tech

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The Illinois football team continues to recruit for the class of 2017 and build for the future.

Getting big-time players for 2017 is important so the program can get back on the winning track.

One of the players the Illini were attempting to snag was defensive end Nelson Mbanasor.

After taking an official visit to Arkansas, Texas Tech and Illinois, Mbanasor has decided to end his recruitment. He announced on Twitter today that he has committed to Texas Tech.

#GunsUp17 #NewEra
S/o Peter J pic.twitter.com/ntfO0XzNei

— Nelson Mbanasor (@Nelson_Mbanasor) November 2, 2016

This was a huge get for Texas Tech because Mbanasor has the potential to be a great player at the next level. While he is only a 3-star recruit, he still has a high ceiling with his physical skills.

247Sports has Mbanasor listed as the No. 991 player in the class of 2017 and the No. 130 player in the state of Texas. Snagging him will boost the Texas Tech program for years to come.

Where does this leave Illinois now that they missed out on this talented defensive end?

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Well, after this season the Illini will be losing Carroll Phillips, Gimel President and Dawuane Smoot. All three of these players have played a massive amount of snaps this season.

After those three guys depart, it looks like Sean Adesanya would likely step up into the starting role. The other defensive end spot would likely be up for grabs.

Illinois does have a great defensive end coming in the class of 2017, though.

Olalere Oladipo is a 6-foot-3, 238-pound, defensive end from Huntley, Illinois. He is a 3-star recruit who is the No. 785 player in the class of 2017 and the No. 12 player in the state of Illinois.

I think Oladipo will have a great shot at some serious snaps and possibly a few starts next season. He has a great upside to him.

Besides for Oladipo, I am sure Illinois will snag at least one more defensive end in the class of 2017. This will help create depth and give Lovie Smith some options for next season.

Despite losing Mbanasor to Texas Tech, Illinois still has options at defensive end. Not winning this recruiting battle hurts, but it is not the end of the world. We Will Win.

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