Dillan Cazley - Charleston High - Charleston, Ill.
Date Committed: 2/28/2012
Position: Cornerback
Cazley was the first to commit to Illinois in the 2013 class, and it’s fitting that he’s also the closest recruit
by proximity to Champaign given Tim Beckman’s clear emphasis on in-state recruiting.
Cazley is a bit of an “everything man” for his high school team, splitting carries with his younger brother
at running back and patrolling the secondary. In college he will most likely project as a cornerback.
What He Brings:
Playing at a smaller high school, Cazley hasn’t consistently faced top talent on a week-to-week basis,
but there is no question he can play at the division one level. He has good speed, change of direction,
and physicality at the corner position. Though he will most likely end his running back tenure when he
comes to Illinois, he’ll take that toughness with him to the defensive side of the ball.
What Can Improve:
Cazley worked out at a couple of camps this past summer at the cornerback position against better
talent than he usually faces during his high school seasons, and it revealed a few things he’ll need to
improve upon before he gets to Illinois. The two main areas are awareness and recovery. When he
maintains control and successfully jams a receiver at the line, he typically disrupts the play and wins
the battle. But if his receiver gets a step on him from the snap, he will sometimes be slower to react,
allowing his receiver to get quicker separation. Handling a receiver’s moves more effectively at the line
of scrimmage should help Cazley maintain solid coverage of his man more consistently.
What Makes Him Unique:
As mentioned before, Cazley is geographically the closest commit to Champaign. This has allowed him
to be in attendance at a number of events and get in the ears of several other recruits. In addition,
his younger brother Josh Cazley is a 2014 athlete garnering looks from Illinois and a number of other
schools as well.
Highlights