Texas receiver looks to visit Illini
Back in May, Illinois became the first Division-I offer for 5-foot-8, 160-pound wide-receiver Dequavas Sneed. However, circumstances have since changed for both the Illini and the three-star prospect of Lancaster, Texas.
Just last week, Lovie Smith and his staff took a commitment from slot-receiver Carlos Sandy and may now be looking for more size at the wide-out position. Still, Sneed remains interested and hopes to visit Champaign over the summer.
“I think Illinois is amazing,” Sneed said. “I really like the program and I think it could be a great fit for me. I just need to schedule a visit. I am not sure when yet, but I think I am hoping to make it happen soon.”
Illinois filled a need with the commitment from Sandy, but Sneed believes his exceptional versatility and athleticism could still be of value to the Illinois recruiting class.
“I think I could come in there and be a bad match-up against bigger, slower defenders, because I have good speed,” Sneed said. “And I also do special teams stuff like kick return and punt return, so I can be used for several different things.”
Offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Garrick McGee is the leader recruiter on Sneed. McGee has made a positive impression, and it has left Sneed with an even stronger desire to visit Illinois and meet him in person.
“He’s a good coach and I know he’s a good guy, but I would definitely like to get to know him a little more,” Sneed said “It would be nice to meet up with him and talk about a few things, and he could also help me get a better feel about Illinois - you know, things like how the campus life is and how the program works.”
Sneed had a strong junior season with 20 catches for 355 yards and four touchdowns, but he knows he will need to improve those numbers next year for his offer list to grow beyond Illinois and Texas Southern.
He has been in contact with Arizona, Bowling Green, and San Diego State as well, and he is confident that the interest will continue to grow as he gets the opportunity to showcase his talents.
“I definitely think I have a chance to get offers from those schools and that I’ll get more interest from others,” Sneed said. “I have a whole season ahead of me to show myself and what I’m about. I just take it one game at a time and see what happens.”
With so much up in the air at this point of his recruitment, Sneed does not have much planned. He does not have any visits or camps penciled in on the calendar and will adjust as things progress.
One thing he does know, however, is exactly what he is looking for in a school.
“I want a place that has a nice campus,” Sneed said. “And by that, I mean both a place that looks like and has stuff to do, but also a campus that has a fun atmosphere and will be enjoyable to be at.”
