2018 Mansfield (Texas) Lake Ridge wide-receiver Malik Knowles received an Illinois offer just prior to attending the BBQ hosted by the Illini staff back in late July.

It was a riveting moment for the 6-foot-2, 180-pound wideout, who was already euphoric over an offer he described as “a dream come true.”

"The BBQ was a great experience for me and my family,” Knowles said. “It made me like the university even more. It had a big impact on me, because I already liked the football program and the coaching staff, so it basically put the final piece together."