Illinois Football: What Enoch Smith Jr. Would Bring to the Illini

The Illinois football team continues to focus on the 2016 season in hopes of making a bowl game.

Lovie Smith has this team on the right track on the field and off the field as well.  The recruiting game has stepped up tremendously.

The latest recruit looking at the Illini is Enoch Smith Jr.

Smith is a junior college transfer from the Butler Community College Grizzlies.  But, he was originally with the Michigan State Spartans.

Coming out of Mount Carmel High School in Chicago, Illinois, Smith was a 3-star defensive tackle.  He was ranked as the No. 406 player in the class of 2014 and the No. 16 player in the state of Illinois.

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Smith spent two seasons with the Spartans, one was a redshirt season and the other was his freshman campaign.

There was little playing time for Smith with the Spartans.  He didn’t play much as a redshirt freshman and that is one of the reasons he transferred out of the Michigan State program.

Now, according to Allen Trieu of Scout, Smith will be visiting the Illini this weekend after cancelling a visit to Kentucky.

This is very intriguing for multiple reasons.  The first reason is because Illinois could always use more defensive line help in 2017.

The other reason is because Kentucky is the only team to have offered Smith a scholarship the second time around.

With Smith cancelling the Kentucky visit and coming to Illinois makes me think Lovie and the coaching staff may be all in on this talented defensive tackle.

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There would also be plenty of room for Smith in 2017 as well.

Illinois is going to be losing starting defensive tackles Rob Bain and Chunky Clements after this season.  That will leave a massive gap right in the middle of the defensive line.

Jamal Milan is getting some playing time this season so far, but he is still a question mark.  I do think he will start next season, though.

Next to Milan, the other defensive tackle position is going to be wide open.  Right now, it could be a battle between Tito Odenigbo, Kenyon Jackson, and Tymir Oliver.

But, if Smith is added to this bunch he would have a legit shot at winning the starting role.

Smith is a powerful defensive tackle that can get to the quarterback.  He has the ability to shed a blocker and put pressure on the passer that would be greatly needed in 2017.

I also like Smith’s ability to read an offense.  He can see things like a screen coming and then drop back to disrupt the play.

One thing I want to see improve is his initial start off the line.  Smith is a little slow coming off the snap and that could hamper his chances at starting for the Illini.

But, Lovie knows what it takes to get to the NFL and will be able to mold Smith into NFL shape.

There is plenty of room for Smith on this Illinois football team in 2017.  With two years of eligibility, he now becomes one of the most important recruits.

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