The show goes on for Coach Beckman, whether you like it or not!; Photo by Cary Frye
University of Illinois head football coach Tim Beckman has announced the signing of 15 student-athletes to National Letters of Intent to play football for the Fighting Illini in 2013. The 15 newest Illini join 10 other newcomers who are already on campus taking classes – five early enrollees and five junior college transfers – in the 25-man 2013 recruiting class.
“The members of the 2013 Fighting Illini recruiting class are an excellent addition to our program,” Beckman said. “We were able to add quality depth at several positions and upgraded the total athleticism of the team across the board. These are young men from the state of Illinois and across the country who are committed to building the Illini football team into a championship program. Ten of them are already on campus and will be working with the team through the spring, while the additional 15 will be coming to campus in the summer in preparation for the 2013 season.”
The class is ranked in the 39th nationally and fifth in the Big Ten by Scout, and 46th nationally and eighth in the Big Ten by Rivals. It includes 15 skill players and 10 lineman, and features eight players from the state of Illinois, tied for the most since 2008, five from Ohio, three each from California and Florida, two from Michigan and one each from Iowa, Maryland, Texas and Washington, D.C. As a whole, the class includes six state champions, four national champions, and boasts a 2.99 grade point average.
“Each of these young men will have the opportunity to compete for immediate playing time, and I’m sure several will be able to contribute very early in their careers,” Beckman continued. “This class of recruits are outstanding young men, excellent students and come from very successful programs at the high school and junior college level, and will be great additions to our current football players.”
The New Guys:
Aaron Bailey QB 6-2/220 Bolingbrook, Ill. Bolingbrook
Jarrod Clements DL 6-3/275 Dayton, Ohio Trotwood Madison
James Crawford DB 6-2/195 Deerfield, Fla. St. Thomas Aquinas
Caleb Day DB 6-1/190 Hilliard, Ohio. Hilliard Darby
Bryce Douglas DT 6-2/330 Plainfield, Ill. Plainfield HS
Jaylen Dunlap DB 6-1 175 Glenwood, Ill. Crete-Monee
Kendrick Foster RB 5-9 190 Peoria, Ill. Richwoods
Michael Hermosillo WR 5-10/200 Ottawa, Ill. Ottawa
Merrick Jackson DL 6-2/320 Cahokia, Ill. Althoff Catholic
Paul James III DL 6-3/240 Miami, Fla. Norland
Darwyn Kelly DB 6-1/195 Upper Marlboro, Md. H.D. Woodson
Marchie Murdock WR 6-1/180 Arlington, Texas Legacy
Dawuane Smoot DL 6-3/230 Groveport, Ohio. Groveport Madison
Dionte Taylor WR 6-0/170 Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. University School
Tyler White TE 6-5/245 Kalamazoo, Mich. Plainwell HS
Early Enrollees
Dillan Cazley DB 5-10/175 Charleston, Ill. Charleston
Jesse Chadwell OL 6-5/260 Clarkston, Mich. Clarkston
Christian Dilauro OL 6-5/270 Uniontown, Ohio Green
Darius Mosely DB 5-11/185 O’Fallon, Ill. O’Fallon Township
Austin Schmidt OL 6-6/275 Galena, Ohio Olentangy
Junior College Signees
Name Pos HT WT Hometown HS/JC
Martize Barr WR 6-0/190 Washington, D.C. Calvin Coolidge/Iowa Western CC
Abe Cajuste DT 6-3/290 Miami, Fla. North Miami Beach HS/Victor Valley College
Eric Finney STAR 6-1/205 Corona, Calif. Centennial HS/College of the Canyons (CA)
Dallas Hinkhouse OL 6-5/275 Clive, Iowa West Des Moines Valley/Iowa Western CC
Zane Petty S 6-1/190 Corning, Calif. Corning HS/American River College
