4-star DL has a final 5 with decision looming

Rivals150 defensive tackle Calvin Avery from Dallas (Texas) Bishop Dunne announced a final five on Wednesday.

Orange and Blue News breaks down where the Illini stand in Avery's recruitment, with a final decision just a few weeks away.

Avery, the No. 148 prospect overall in the class of 2018, trimmed his list down from 25 offers. He now has a date set for his college decision.

August 4th is media day for Bishop Dunne, and Avery will announce his commitment then from his final list of five schools.

"Illinois, Colorado, USC, Oklahoma, and TCU are the five," he said. "I've been enjoying the process so far. I just thought it was time to make the decision."

His relationship with the coaching staffs is a key, according to Avery. His Illinois recruiter is wide receivers coach Andrew Hayes-Stoker, a Texas native.

Avery visited Illinois in June with several of his Bishop Dunne teammates, including Illini commit Keivan Myers, a 3-star offensive lineman. 2019 wide receiver Marquez Beason also made the trip.

"I enjoyed my trip up there," Avery said about Illinois. "I know they are getting some new facilities. The facilities they have now are nice and I know they want to improve."

Hayes-Stoker got in early with Avery and maintained that relationship, keeping the Illini in the mix for the duration.

"Illinois was really the school that put me on the map," Avery said. "They were the first school to offer me, so I know there is a lot of love coming from there. I can see myself playing up there."

On his visit to Champaign, Avery got to talk with Illini head coach Lovie Smith one-on-one. Avery said Smith has some key connections that will help him land top players and improve the program.

"Since he's from Texas, he wants a lot of Texas boys up there," Avery said. "And he has the connection in Chicago when he was coaching for the Bears. He's a really cool coach, and I know everyone respects him on a high level."

Out of his final five, Avery has also taken visits to TCU and Oklahoma. He doesn't have any more trips plans before decision day, but he still wants to give other schools a fair shot to make their pitch.

"I haven't been to USC or Colorado and I feel they still have more to say to me," Avery said. "After I commit, I'm still going to leave my process open just in case I have a change of heart, but its going to be out of the five schools."

Illinois signed seven defensive lineman in the 2017 class, so they can be selective in the current class. They loaded up on ends, and now likely want to add some beef in the middle of the D-line.

At 6-foot-2, 315 pounds, Avery fits that mold. He talked about what the program he picks will be getting when he takes the field next year.

"They are going to get a real dominant player; a player who is going to give his best effort and never quit," Avery said.