Recruiting: Illinois Keeps Another In-State Recruit Home As 2024's Joe Barna Commits
By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys.com Director of Recruiting
June 27th, 2023
(Cover photo courtesy Joe Barna)
When Illinois football coach Bret Bielema was hired, one of the first items of note was his spill about recruiting the state of Illinois very hard.
"I'm from Illinois, there's no reason we can't try and keep the best talent in-house." Bielema said. "I want to put a border around the state." he said smiling
Bielema may have been smiling but he meant business. Today, he added to his in-state haul by getting Wheaton's three-star defensive end Joe Barna to stay home.