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Illinois Football: UNC Game More Important With Jeff Thomas Visit
For multiple reasons, this weekend is huge for the Illinois football team.
Not only does the Illinois Fighting Illini have the biggest game since the 2008 Rose Bowl, but they also have a big-time class of 2017 recruit visiting as well.
It was announced by Jeremy Werner of Scout that 2017 wide receiver Jeff Thomas will be visiting the Illini during the football game against North Carolina.
This is huge news for Illinois considering they weren’t in the running for Thomas just a few months ago but now they have had two visits in the last month from him.
Thomas is a big-time recruit that would be huge for the Illinois recruiting class of 2017. He is a 4-star wide receiver who is the No. 49 player in the class of 2017. He is also the No. 7 wide receiver in the nation.
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The measurables that Thomas brings to the table are also impressive. He is 5-foot-10, 167-pounds, and clocked a 4.38-second 40-yard dash. That is an NFL caliber number right there.
Right now, I believe Alabama has the lead for Thomas because he had previously mentioned them as the leaders but I think Illinois is seriously making a strong push for this talented wide receiver.
Thomas would be a complete game changer for the Illini. He would solidify why Lovie Smith was hired back in March.
As I look at the wide receiver situation in 2017 I realize that it really doesn’t matter who is on the depth chart. I think Thomas would be an automatic starter from day one. That is how talented this recruit really is.
In addition to the how big Thomas would be to the Illinois recruiting situation, he now makes this North Carolina game even more important.
I had already mentioned earlier this week that the game against the Tar Heels is the biggest game since 2008 when Illinois lost the Rose Bowl.
There has not been a bigger game as far as impact on the program goes since then. If Illinois can compete and possibly pull off a win then it shows that this team is turning around.
Illinois has a lot at stake this weekend and if they can do well then I think it goes a long way in fixing what is wrong with the program.
Hopefully, Lovie and the coaching staff can get this team prepared for success now and in the future.
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