National Signing Day Storylines in Illinois

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>***Use Code “ScottyB30” for 30% off your annual subscription***</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today is National Signing Day!&nbsp; Let's look at some of the biggest storylines in the state of Illinois as prospects across the state will put pen to paper</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Illini Wins In-State</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>University of Illinois clean up in their home state keeping 8 prospects home including 7 of the top 24 prospects overall in the class.&nbsp; The headliner is #1 overall prospect [player_tooltip player_id='801887' first='Nasir' last='Rankin'].&nbsp; The wide receiver is a game changing weapon for the Illini that can also be a big time safety if they choose that route down the road.&nbsp; Another wide receiver that can also do damage in the secondary is DeKalb star [player_tooltip player_id='1399916' first='Davon' last='Grant'].&nbsp; The top pure defensive back in the state is [player_tooltip player_id='1585119' first='Nick' last='Hankins'].&nbsp; The top 10 overall prospect is a rangy corner from Belleville West that has all the tools you look for in a big time defensive back.&nbsp; They also did work along the line as they landed our #2 offensive line prospect [player_tooltip player_id='1399932' first='Tony' last='Balanganayi'] who they will play on the defensive side.&nbsp; More on that defensive line with Lincoln Way edge rusher [player_tooltip player_id='801702' first='Jacob' last='Alexander'] and Brother Rice defensive tackle [player_tooltip player_id='208769' first='King' last='Liggins'].&nbsp; On the offensive side they bring in [player_tooltip player_id='801699' first='Casey' last='Thomann'] out of Olney on the offensive line along with impact tight end [player_tooltip player_id='1623276' first='Will' last='Vala'] from Downers Grove North.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Big 10 Protects Home Turf</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Big 10 dominated the state in recruiting reeling in 30 overall commits including 21 of the top 26 prospects.&nbsp; Northwestern has five commitments from the state led by Fremd QB [player_tooltip player_id='499431' first='Johnny' last='O'Brien'] and offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='801991' first='Owen' last='Fors'].&nbsp; Purdue nabs four prospects from across state lines including top 20 duo Marist offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='325063' first='Rico' last='Schrieber'] and Hillcrest defensive end [player_tooltip player_id='1585113' first='Max' last='Carmicle'].&nbsp; Indiana Hoosiers are having a historic year on the gridiron and that has translated into a very nice recruiting class as [player_tooltip player_id='1399927' first='Gabriel' last='Hill'] is headed to Indiana as the Naperville North defensive tackle is the top interior defensive lineman in the senior class.&nbsp; They also have East St. Louis wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1669549' first='Kortez' last='Rupert'] coming their way.&nbsp; USC nabbed a pair of top prospects in the #1 quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='800191' first='Jonas' last='Williams'] along with fellow top 10 prospect in Mt. Carmel defensive end [player_tooltip player_id='270192' first='Braeden' last='Jones'].&nbsp; State's top offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1417782' first='Claude' last='Mpouma'] is headed to Nebraska and top EDGE player [player_tooltip player_id='801878' first='McHale' last='Blade'] is going to Michigan.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Line Play and Tight End Strength of Class</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Strength of the 2026 class is along the offensive and defensive lines.&nbsp; The offensive line features 8 of the top 26 players all of which are headed to Big 10 schools.&nbsp; On the defensive line there are 10 prospects inside the top 35 overall prospects.&nbsp; All are committed except for one.&nbsp; At the tight end position you have three of the best 10 prospects overall in the class with [player_tooltip player_id='801700' first='Mack' last='Sutter'], [player_tooltip player_id='212319' first='JC' last='Anderson'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1399937' first='Gavin' last='Mueller'] who are all nationally ranked.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Biggest Steals</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What prospects are the biggest steals in the class?&nbsp; That starts in my eyes with Ohio landing Hersey athlete [player_tooltip player_id='1669534' first='Brandon' last='Jenkins'].&nbsp; The #18 prospect overall in the state is a two way game changer that without question has P4 ability.&nbsp; East St. Louis star [player_tooltip player_id='401621' first='Leon' last='Howard'] is going to Central Michigan as the top linebacker who can also play some EDGE.&nbsp; Big fan of Navy commit defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='401608' first='Ian' last='Campbell'] who is the #37 prospect.&nbsp; Speaking of service academies the fit of [player_tooltip player_id='801994' first='CJ' last='Gray'] to Army is a perfect fit for a quarterback in their system.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='1128408' first='Armaad' last='Sharp'] is a jumbo wide receiver/tight end that will be a major impact player for Eastern Michigan.&nbsp; Princeton is getting a steal in 6'5” Batavia offensive tackle [player_tooltip player_id='1120487' first='Ryan' last='Myers'] as a big time pass protector.&nbsp; Same can be said of Toledo grabbing Andrew offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1067031' first='Jake' last='Palucki'].&nbsp; Miami (OH) got an early steal in Fenwick safety [player_tooltip player_id='279386' first='Tommy' last='Thies'] and held on to him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Coaching Carousel Four</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The biggest story line is the status of the four prospects that have had their coaches either leave or get fired.&nbsp; What will they decide to do today.&nbsp; Those prospects include Ole Miss long time commits [player_tooltip player_id='212319' first='JC' last='Anderson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1619545' first='Carmelow' last='Reed'].&nbsp; Along with Michigan State wide receiver commit [player_tooltip player_id='212322' first='Zachary' last='Washington'] and Kentucky defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='1669545' first='Messiah' last='Tilson'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Anderson has already flipped his commitment from Ole Miss to LSU following Lane Kiffin on Tuesday. Reed could do the same as he will make his final decision at 3:15 PM on Wednesday. Originally affirmed his commitment, then announced an LSU offer under new staff, and that he would decide officially on Wednesday. My gut says he sticks with Ole Miss with the defensive coordinator taking over as head coach. Tilson I don't think will sign anywhere tomorrow as he said he will allow schools to recruit him until Friday when the early signing period closes. Washington just won a state championship Tuesday night and now has to make this big decision after the coaching change at Michigan State. He said he would listen to schools until Wednesday before deciding. I think the long time commit will stick with Sparty.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->