Decision this week for 2021 defensive end Ryheem Craig

Two-star defensive end Ryheem Craig from Taylorsville (NC) Alexander Central is set to make his college choice.

Orange and Blue News spoke to Craig to get the lowdown on when he plans to make his commitment, and the final schools on his list.

It's decision week for Craig, and a handful of schools are still in the running. Though he hasn't been able to take any campus visits, Craig has done several Zoom conferences and he has a group of coaches that he feels most comfortable with.

Craig is announcing his choice on Thursday between Illinois, Louisville, East Carolina, Boston College, and Syracuse. It's going to come down to which school gives him the family feel.

"I'm looking for a bond with the coaches and family," Craig said. "Somebody that's going to make me feel comfortable at school and who believes in me. "

He's been in touch with all of the coaches on his final list, Craig said. He recently did a Zoom conference with the Illinois staff and got a virtual tour of the new Football Performance Center.

New defensive ends coach Jimmy Lindsey, who is from Morven, NC, just two hours from Craig's home in the Wiston-Salem area.

"I'm getting a lot of love from Illinois, especially from Coach Lndsey," Craig said. "We've been talking for a couple of months now. We really just bond together well. We had a similar kind of childhood and we relate on a lot of things."

He hasn't made his final decision yet, but the Illini appear to be in good position. It could come down to Illinois and Louisville. The Cardinals have been the assumed leader, but IIllinois is making a late push.

On the field last season, Craig put up big numbers, posting 88 tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss, and 8.5 sacks. He's be a weak-side defensive end for the Illini, and he says Lindsey likes his quickness off the edge.

"He likes my speed and how I get to the quarterback," Craig said. "They like my pass rushing, and they see big things coming for me."

Since he's been unable to take any visits do to the coronavirus epidemic, Craig said he'll still likely take some official visits later in the year.

"I'm committing Thursday, but I'm going to try to visit all of the schools," he said.