Illini making one last push as signing day approaches

MORE: Weekend visitors | Illini commitment list

With National Signing Day set for next Wednesday, Illinois is looking to add talent down the stretch to their 2016 recruiting class.

Currently, the Illini’s class stands at 20 commitments. The class is ranked No. 66 nationally by Rivals.com and No. 11 in the Big Ten ahead of Rutgers, Indiana, and Purdue.

Illinois is awaiting final college decisions on several top targets, including Texas wide receiver Evan Fairs and offensive lineman Trevour Simms from East St. Louis. Fairs is on a visit to Kansas this weekend, while Simms is expected to make his decision on signing day between Illinois and Missouri.

Massive junior college offensive guard Shane Richards from New Mexico Military Institute just finished up an official visit to Illinois on Thursday. He now visits Louisville before ending his recruitment.

After the transfer of senior-to-be linebacker TJ Neal, Illini head coach Bill Cubit is selling early playing time to potential recruits on the defensive side of the ball. Visiting over the weekend is linebacker Dele' Harding from Elton (MD) Eastern Christian.

The Illini staff hosts a strong group of eleven official visitors as they try to finish with a flurry. One last addition to the visitor list is Maryland 3-star defensive end Izon Pulley. Check out the senior film on Pulley below.

Check with OrangeandBlueNews.com for in-depth coverage of National Signing Day on Wednesday, Feb. 3, including comments from the Illini staff and interviews with the new signees.

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