Illini first to offer 2017 wide receiver
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2017 wide receiver Isaiah Robertson from Naperville (IL) Neuqua Valley picked up an offer from the Fighting Illini earlier this month. It was the first official offer for the 6-foot-3, 170-pound wideout.
Robertson hales from the same high school as current Illini wide receiver Mike Dudek.
"I was downstairs playing Xbox with my brother, and then all of a sudden I got a text from Mikey [Dudek]", Robertson said. "He told me to call the wide receivers coach [Mike Bellamy]."
Robertson was not sure what to expect from the call.
"At first it was small talk," Robertson said. "Then, out of nowhere, he said the University of Illinois is going to offer you your first scholarship."
Robertson was a freshman on the Neuqua Valley team when Dudek was a senior. While he wasn't particularly close with Dudek, Robertson is fond of the Illini's freshman all-American.
"He's definitely a guy that I really look up to being from the same school," Robertson said, "He's really down to earth as well."
While Illinois was the first to offer Robertson, schools such as Georgia and Miami (Fla.) have shown interest in his talents. The recruitment process might not be all that new for Robertson, but the offer certainly caught him by surprise.
"Honestly, when he first said that, I was at a loss for words," Robertson noted, "I actually asked him to repeat it because I didn't think I heard it right."
Robertson has been on campus once before, as he made an unofficial visit to Champaign to watch an Illini football game last year. Robertson liked what he saw.
"I saw the stadium and the press box. The weight rooms were incredible. It was huge," Robertson said.
Robertson sees the family feel of the Illini as a positive that separates them from other programs.
"Illinois is just like one big family. Everybody there is nice," Robertson added. "There's no drama between the team. Everybody is open. The environment is amazing."
Although Robertson is high on the Illini, he's not ready to name them as the front-runner.
"This is a lot as a young guy," said Robertson, "I'm really just taking it all in, keeping my options open."
Robertson is a physical receiver with deep-threat potential who enjoys making contact with defenders. In his opinion, he needs to work on his speed and route running moving forward.