Illinois got a verbal commitment on Monday from wide receiver Edwin Carter from Jacksonville (Fla.) Sandalwood.

Carter made the pledge following an official visit over the weekend.

The visit to Illinois sealed the deal for Carter. Lovie Smith and wide receiver coach Andrew Hayes-Stoker sold him on the Illinois program.

"I just love their experience with the game," Carter said. "I feel like playing for Coach Stoker he can really push me to the next level."

Carter arrived on campus in Champaign on Friday night and stayed until early Sunday afternoon. He talked about some of the highlights of the trip.

"It went great," Carter said of the visit. "I got to meet Lovie Smith and all of the coaches and staff. What I liked the most was the meeting with the position coaches."

Illinois extended a scholarship offer to Carter while he on the visit. Carter said he would play the X-wide receiver spot where graduating senior Malik Turner played last season.

"They told me that they like my length and my speed," Carter said. "That's something they really want. Coach Smith mainly talked about how much of an addition I would be to the team. I feel like I would be playing where Turner played last year. "

A two-sport star in high schools, Carter participates in the 110 meter hurdles and 4X100 relay for the Sandalwood track squad.

At 6-foot-3, Carter is a long athlete with excellent speed in the open field. He started getting more recruiting attention once college scouts saw his senior film.

Earlier offers were from Mercer, Western Illinois, and Middle Tennessee State. Wake Forest, Purdue, and Cincinnati showed late interest, but Carter decided not to take any more visit and pull the trigger for Illinois. He plans to sign this month.

"This is pretty much the best offer that I have," Carter said. "I like that they are in the rebuilding stage, so they put a lot of freshmen in. I don't know about starting, but really feel I can help the team and give them more depth. "