Stevens: How Did Cameron Wagner Get Used to Nationwide Recruiting Interest? - ‘I still haven’t’
4-star prospect Cameron Wagner is still mentally balancing being the No. 1 Illinois offensive lineman in the 2027 class while still maintaining small-town roots and values.
By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst
June 23, 2025
(Cover photo courtesy player's X page)
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — For the better part of the last 14 months, the process and timeline has been the same.
Cameron Wagner will hear that he’s received a verification on his phone, look at the screen and think he’s been pranked or catfished.
“I still remember there was a time where I’ll be in the house and I’ll yell, ‘Mom, why is the head football coach at Notre Dame following me on Twitter and Instagram?’,” says Wagner, the No. 3-ranked Illinois prospect in the 2027 recruiting class, according to Rivals.com. “I remember coming to her saying ‘Mom, this can’t be [Illinois head coach] Bret Bielema’s actual Twitter account following me, right? That makes no sense why he’d be following me, right?’