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Illinois Football Offers Highly Ranked Defensive Prospect From Minnesota
Nov 18, 2023; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema reacts during the second quarter against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

Illinois Football Offers Highly Ranked Defensive Prospect From Minnesota

Originally posted on Illinois Fighting Illini on SI
By Jared Shlensky  |  Last updated Jun 17, 2025 2:05 PM ET

What position Blake Betton plays at the college level has yet to be determined, but that hasn't in any way kept college coaches from pursuing the junior-to-be out of Shakopee (Minnesota). On Monday, Illinois coach Bret Bielema became the most recent among them to offer Betton.

Betton now has 10 offers, including two more out of the Big Ten – Iowa and Minnesota – and one from Vanderbilt in the SEC. Betton has yet to visit any schools, which will be the next step for the sixth-ranked player in his class from Minnesota.

At 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds, Betton has excellent size for a safety. If he grows any taller and puts on another 15-20 pounds over the next couple of years, he could be shifted to a linebacker spot. In any case, Betton, who helped lead the Sabers to the state semifinals last year, is a player to keep an eye on.

More From Illinois on Sports Illustrated:

Illinois Basketball Makes Official Contact With Trio of Class of 2027 Prospects

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Illinois Guard Kasparas Jakucionis Earns Green Room Invite to NBA Draft

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

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