JC Anderson, Mount Zion

The 6-foot-6, 230-pound tight end is a consensus four-star recruit and ranks inside the Top 200 nationally, per 247Sports. North Carolina, Auburn and Mississippi are also in the mix, but the Illini have gone all out to keep the central Illinois star close to home after he helped lead the Braves to the Class 4A state championship game this past fall.

Mack Sutter, Dunlap

Why settle for one four-star tight end when landing two is a real possibility? Illinois has to contend with some heavyweights for the 6-5, 230-pound Sutter — Alabama, Ohio State and Mississippi are also contenders — but the Top 100 recruit is expected back in Champaign next week. Perfect time to close.

Nick Hankins, Belleville West

It wasn’t a great 2024 season for the Maroons with a 3-6 finish, but Hankins did close out his junior year with 28 tackles and a team-high four interceptions. Illinois is intrigued by the 6-foot, 190-pound cornerback’s upside. So are Missouri and Tennessee.

Kai Pritchard, Donovan Catholic (N.J.)

With Palatine’s Tony Balanganayi recruited to play defensive line, there’s room in Illinois’ class to add another offensive lineman next to Casey Thomann and Landen Von Seggern. The 6-5, 275-pound Pritchard could be that guy, with the four-star recruit also being pursued by Boston College and Rutgers.

Owen Cabell, Christ Presbyterian Academy (Tenn.)

Illinois had Cabell on campus last weekend for an official visit, as it makes a push for the 6-3, 201-pound wide receiver. Cabell helped Nashville-based CPA go 14-0 and win a Division II-AA state title last fall, leading the Lions with 43 catches for 973 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Tucker Ashford, Fort Worth Christian (Texas)

The Illini were among Ashford’s earliest offers last July and hosted the 6-3, 240-pound outside linebacker on campus last weekend for an official visit. It’s a fairly competitive recruitment with Houston, Kansas State, Stanford, Vanderbilt and Oklahoma State all involved.

Isaiah Williams, Fort Bend Marshall (Texas)

Williams set a top five of Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Ohio State and LSU last October, but declared in February his recruitment was 100 percent open. Illinois offered the 6-foot, 190-pound safety last month and got him on campus this weekend. On name alone, he almost has to pick the Illini.

Camaul King, True North Classical Academy (Fla.)

King’s recruitment didn’t gain much momentum after Illinois offered last October — even after he had 89 tackles, 14 pass breakups and two interceptions as a junior for the Titans. But the 6-foot, 170-pound safety will be on campus this weekend, putting the Illini in a solid position.

Cameron McHaney, IMG Academy (Fla.)

Based on the concept there’s no such thing as too many linemen, Illinois is a finalist for McHaney with commitments already from Balanganayi and Brother Rice’s King Liggins. The 6-1, 315-pound McHaney would fit as a nose tackle in what’s typically a three-man front for the Illini defense.

Kayden Bennett, Suffield Academy (Conn.)

How many edge rushers Illinois takes in addition to commits Parker Crim and Jacob Alexander is the question. But the Illini have made a late push for the 6-2, 245-pound Bennett with an April offer and an official visit this weekend. Other programs in pursuit include Temple and Connecticut.

Scott Richey covers college basketball for The News-Gazette. His email is , and you can follow him on Twitter ( @srrichey ).