Oladipo, Huntley coach talk Illini commitment
MORE: 4-star wide receiver is on board with Illinois | In-state defender Oladipo chooses Illinois
The new Fighting Illini football staff just had their biggest recruiting day yet.
Grabbing their second commitment of the day on Thursday, Illinois landed one of their top in-state targets with a pledge from Huntley (Ill.) defensive end Olalere Oladipo.
Oladipo announced his decision during a press conference at his school, choosing the Illini from a final group that included Indiana and Penn State. He joins new commit Carmoni Green, a 4-star wide receiver from Miami (Fla.) Central.
The 6-f0ot-4, 235-pound Oladipo will kick off his senior season on Friday against Algonquin Jacobs High. He is coming off a junior season in which he tallied 6.5 sacks among 13 total tackles for loss.
Oladipo said he's happy to have the decision out of the way.
“I am feeling great," Oladipo said. "It is a big weight off my chest. I feel like I can focus on my senior season and have a great year. Picking up the hat was was crazy. I can’t really describe the feeling that went through my body. It was a sigh of relief almost. It’s been a long seven-eight months and now it’s happened. Now I am getting ready for my season opener tomorrow."
The opportunity to stay close to home where his family could watch him play was a big factor in Oladipo's decision. He has also built a strong bond with the Illinois coaching staff.
"Playing so close to home is really good," he said. "My mom can see me, it’s not that long of a drive for her to come see me play. the distance from home was big. This was the best option for them to come see me play."
"I talk to the Illinois coaches a lot, they are really good guys. They have experience and they know what they talking about. They can help me become the athlete that I want to be. My recruiters have kept in contact with me and not let me slip by, constantly getting me on the phone with Coach Lovie. He talks to my mom and built a relationship with her which was big."
Known as an athletic pass rusher, Oladipo fills a big hole on the Illini roster with Dawuane Smoot, Carroll Phillips, and 5th year transfer Gimel President playing their final seasons this fall.
First year Huntley head coach Matt Zimolzak broke down what the Illini are getting in Oladipo, who was originally going to play wide receiver at Huntley until switching to a more natural position on defense.
“I think the thing that makes him special is that he is a natural athlete," Zimolzak said. "He was a three-sport athlete last year in football, basketball and track and he’s gifted in that way. We didn’t get a lot of time to work with him at defensive line last season, so this year we’ve had a whole year of being able to work on his strength and technique."
Set to play out on the edge this year after lining up at defensive tackle a year ago, Oladipo said he feels more natural operating in space.
"Definitely playing as a defensive tackle i didn't have a lot of space to work with," he said. "I was more physical than I was shifty and working on moves. This year I feel quicker and I feel more at home. Plus, I have more room to work with. The coaches taught me a lot of stuff from last year too."
"I am going to play defensive end this year. I am having a lot of fun playing defensive end and I feel like I am able to use more of my skills to play defensive end rather than defensive tackle. I have more room to work with and I am looking forward to the season and wreak havoc on the field.”
Zimolzak is anxious to see what Oladipo brings to the field, with the season kicking off on Friday.
"Last year was a lot of running around and trying to figure things out at defensive line, now that he knows what he is doing I think he will be that much more impressive," Zimolzak. "He’s got the size and I think he’s going to be an exciting college player as well.”
Illinois now has 11 commitments in the class of 2017. Oladipo is the 6th prospect from the state of Illinois to pledge to the Illini.