Football Recruiting Spotlight on Will Vala

By Steve Sturm - IlliniGuys Football Analyst

June 17, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy player's X page)

If you gave just about any offensive coordinator an unlimited roster, the first thing he would do is stock up with specialty tight ends.  Even if the 7th tight end you add isn't sexy and doesn't have an NFL future, there's nothing quite like a specialty tight end to take advantage of a certain match-up or run a play you design for him when you really need a first down.  I wrote this same thing when the Illini signed Carson . . .

 

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