Illini add JUCO wide recevier
Illinois bolstered their 2014 signing class with a late addition on Tuesday.
Junior college wide receiver Raphael Barr from Citrus Community College in Glendora (Calif.) will enroll at Illinois for the fall semester and is eligible for the upcoming 2014 season.
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Barr committed while on an official visit, choosing the Illini over offers from New Mexico, South Alabama, and UAB.
"First was the academics," Barr said, when describing what stood out to him about Illinois. "I plan to major in communications, and they are really good in that major. And I like that they have one of the biggest alumni networks in the country."
Wide receivers coach Mike Bellamy was the lead recruiter on Barr, who joins fellow JUCO WR standouts Tyrin Stone-Davis and Geronimo Allison in the Illini's incoming class.
"Coach Bellamy is a great guy," Barr said. "He came to see me at my school. He played a huge role (in picking Illinois)."
On his visit, Barr got the full tour of the football and academic facilities. He talked about a couple of highlights.
"I loved the campus," Barr said. "It showed real culture and class to it. I loved it. And I found out they have the largest football weight room in the country."
Barr will bolster a revamped Illini receiving corps. At 6-foot-2, 205 pounds, Barr gives the Illini quarterbacks another big target and deep threat. At Citrus, he posted 27 receptions for 408 yards and five TD's as a freshman.
Barr had an opportunity to meet with offensive coordinator Bill Cubit and discuss his role in the Illini offense.
"Coach Cubit's offensive is phenomenal - it's a wideouts dream," Barr said. "I think I'm a big play receiver, and I can stretch the field.
"I played wide out, but in this offensive everyone plays everywhere. So whatever role they give me I'll give it my all."