Illinois Looking To Close Strong

Illinois is currently sitting on a top-50 recruiting class, checking in at No. 42 nationally, and the Illini are in a position to move up.

Top247 DL Josh Augusta is one of the top targets remaining on the board for the Illini in 2013.

Some news and notes regarding the program.

Official Visitors

*Top247 defensive lineman Josh Augusta will take his official visit to Champaign this coming weekend. Missouri is his current leader the but the Illini will look to make a move for the Peoria (Mich.) High standout. Michigan State rounds out the 6-foot-5, 295-pound Augusta’s top three. He ranks as the nation’s No. 13 defensive tackle and No. 193 prospect overall.

*Crete (Ill.) Monee cornerback Jaylen Dunlap is one of the more under-the-radar prospects in the Midwest. Dunlap has good size at 6-foot-2, 170-pounds, and is a strong cover corner that helped lead his team to a state championship during the fall. He’ll take an official to Illinois this coming weekend and an Illini offer would make the in-state program tough to beat. Eastern Michigan, UAB and most recently Western Michigan have extended scholarships.

*Illini pledge Miguel Hermosillo is slated to take his official visit this coming weekend.

Beckman With A Few Key In-Homes

*On Monday, Illinois head coach Tim Beckman will be in the Chicago area. He has an in-home setup with two commits in Bolingbrook (Ill.) High Top247 quarterback Aaron Bailey and Chicago (Ill.) Simeon linebacker Reggie Spearman. Spearman is a soft pledge to the Illini, also considering Iowa and Minnesota.

*Thursday, Beckman will be in to see Walled Lake (Mich.) Western safety Joshua Jones. Also a soft pledge to the Illini, Jones is keeping Pittsburgh and N.C. State in the mix.

For a look at Illinois recruiting class, click here.