Decision day for Illini recruiting targets
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As National Signing Day inches closer, it's crunch time for the Fighting Illini coaching staff with several top recruiting targets nearing decisions. Two prospects on the Illini board will make their choices known on Monday evening.
Illinois recently picked up commitments from junior college stars Dwayne Lawson and Del'Shawn Phillips and the 2017 class now stands at thirteen. Head coach Lovie Smith has said that he plans to sign a full class of 25.
Currently, the Illinois class ranks No. 56 nationally and No. 11 in the Big Ten in the Rivals.com team recruiting rankings. It's 3.15 average star ranking places Illinois sixth in the conference
Making their college decision on Monday are offensive lineman Howard Watkins and defensive back Quran Hafiz.
Watkins says he will announce his decision at 6:30 pm CT on Monday. Finalist are Illinois, Cincinnati, and Iowa State. Illinois is considered a strong leader. At this point, it would be surprising if Watkins doesn't announce for the Illini.
The No. 22 offensive guard in the nation according to Rivals.com, Watkins hales from Cincinnati powerhouse Colerain high school. He would be the second Illini commitment from Cincinnati, joining 3-star running back Ravon Bonner.
Illinois made Watkins a priority and he has been on campus in Champaign several times, most recently for an unofficial visit in November. He followed that trip up with an official visit to Iowa State.
The Fighting Illini staff appears confidence heading into to Watkins's decision on Monday.
Things have been more quiet in the recruitment of Florida DB Quaran Hafiz, and none of the schools on his final list know for sure which way his is leaning. Hafiz names Illinois, Indiana, Nebraska, and Iowa State as his final four.
Hafiz will announce his decision during a signing event at a local restaurant in Jacksonville at 5pm CT.
A 3-star cornerback, Hafiz holds over 25 offers. He visited Illinois officially in November when the Illini took on Iowa at Memorial Stadium. Lovie Smith recently had an in-home visit with Hafiz in Jacksonville.
A chance to see the field early makes Illinois an attractive choice for Hafiz. He has the length and physicality that Illinois wants at the cornerback position.
Hafiz plans to graduate in December and enroll in college for the spring semester in early 2017. He will sign financial aid agreement today and fax it to the school of his choice.