Four-star DL Selah Brown has virtual visit with Illinois
Four-star defensive end Selah Brown from Louisville (Ky.) Male is one of the Illini's top defensive recruiting targets in the class of 2022.
On Wednesday, the Illini staff lined up on Zoom for a virtual visit with Brown. Orange and Blue News caught up with him to get the lowdown.
Illinois extended an offer to Brown back in mi-February, with defensive line coach Terrance Jamison heading up the recruitment.
The Illini kicked it up a notch on Wednesday, with the entire staff jumping on Zoom to get more acquainted with Brown and sell the program to him.
"It went really well," Brown said about the Zoom call "Coach Bielema had an introduction, and all of the coaches on offense and defense introduced themselves to me and told me about themselves. They told me about their history with Coach Bielema and how they connect with them. It was nice."
Brown said he was already familiar with Jamison, who was recruiting Brown last year when he as an assistant at Purdue.
"I have connections throughout the program, like Coach Jamison," he said. "He came from Purdue and I already had an offer from them, and I was very close to him. He was able to keep my name buzzing around at Illinois."
According to Brown, the Illinois staff loves his motor and his speed. Off the field, Brown is an excellent student, so the its a total fit.
Now up to 23 offers, Brown says he still wide open with plans to trim his list late this summer. He's had the most recent contact with him hometown school Louisville, as well as Northwestern, Clemson, Rutgers, and others.
When Brown names a top group later this year, Illinois has a great chance to make the initial cut.
"When I start breaking down my schools, Illinois will be in my top schools and a school that I'll further learn about along with the other schools on that list," Brown said
He has no set timetable for a final decision on a school, Brown said, but it could come before his senior season. He'll take his five allotted official visits before making a commitment.
"As of right now, I'm aware that the NCAA opens it up June 1st and we can get on campus," he said. "I'm just trying to decide which 5 schools I'm going to take official visits to. Of course I will consider Illinois, but I'm just looking at my list to see how to use my visits wisely."
Brown had a very productive junior campaign, finishing the season with 50 solo tackles, 24 tackles for loss and eight sacks in ten total games.
He's a versatile and agile defensive lineman who can get to the QB coming off the edge, or overpower offensive linemen.
"I can definitely play all across the defensive line," Brown said. "I'm a very athletic pass rushing off the edge, and also at the inside technique. My game is about speed. My get-off is fast. I'm physical and I do everything I can to not let my opponent get his hands on me."