Illinois Football: Illini look to bolster offensive line with offer to Jack Tucker

The Illinois football team is building a solid program, and adding to the team from the class of 2021 is going to be important.

One area on the team that is an urgent need is the offensive line. Illinois has a good offensive line this season, but there will be departures over the next couple of years. Replenishing that talent is going to be something this coaching staff needs to take care of sooner than later. That is why they have offered Jack Tucker.

Tucker is a 6-foot-6, 265-pound offensive tackle from Argyle High School in Argyle, Texas. He is rated as a three-star recruit who is the No. 501 player in the class of 2021 and the No. 54 offensive tackle in the nation. He is also the No. 70 player in the state of Texas.

According to Tucker’s Twitter profile, Illinois was the first Big Ten program to come in with an offer. But they aren’t the first team by any means. Tucker already has some solid offers from the likes of Baylor, Boston College, Texas Tech and Tulsa. Illinois getting in early on this kid is a great idea, though.

The size that Tucker brings to the table is what really catches my eye. This kid is only a junior right now, so he has time to continue developing his body over the next couple of years. I love his agility for his size too. He can move well and that is important at the next level.

I see Tucker coming in year one and, potentially, redshirting. Illinois should have some depth at tackle in 2021. But we will need Tucker when the 2022 season rolls around. He might not be a starter right away, but he will provide great depth for the program. Sophomore and beyond is where I see Tucker making starts for the Illini.

This is a solid offer by the Illinois coaching staff. Tucker already has the framework to be a great offensive lineman. He just needs someone like strength coach, Lou Hernandez, to form him into one of the best to ever play the game.