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Alabama Beats out Illinois Football on Recruiting Trail Yet Again
Nov 23, 2024; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema looks on during the first half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Alabama Beats out Illinois Football on Recruiting Trail Yet Again

Originally posted on Illinois Fighting Illini on SI
By Jackson Langendorf  |  Last updated Jun 27, 2025 5:45 PM ET

Illinois has already landed impact prospect after impact prospect this offseason, putting together a loaded 2026 recruiting class.

The Illini were seeking to add to that crew with four-star in-state tight end Mack Sutter, who on Thursday picked between his final four of Illinois, Alabama, Ohio State and Ole Miss.

As a junior at Dunlap (Illinois) last year, Sutter wrangled 35 receptions for 505 yards and seven touchdowns in just 10 games. Tabbed as the nation’s 82nd-ranked overall recruit and the top player in the state of Illinois, Sutter would have been the Illini’s top-rated recruit – but instead pledged his talents to SEC powerhouse Alabama.

In the past week or so, the Illini and Crimson Tide have duked it out over a pair of prospects – and the latter program has been victorious in both. Less than a week ago, Alabama flipped Illinois running back commit Javari Barnett.

Now Tide coach Kalen DeBoer and his staff have earned the commitment of Sutter, yet another sign the Illini – despite moving up in the college football world – haven't quite reached “premier” status yet.

Fortunately, coach Bret Bielema and his staff still have an opportunity to lock down a high-quality in-state tight end in Mt. Zion’s JC Anderson. The state’s No. 3-rated recruit and No. 2 tight end is set to make his decision – between Ole Miss, Auburn and Illinois – on July 1.

More From Illinois on Sports Illustrated:

Four-Star Quarterback From Utah Makes Official Visit to Champaign

Brad Underwood, Bret Bielema, Shauna Green Feature in Chicago Cubs' 'Illini Night'

Illinois Coach Bret Bielema Raises Concerns Over Player Tampering

This article first appeared on Illinois Fighting Illini on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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