Illini on top for in-state defender

East St. Louis safety James Knight made a trip up to Illinois for an unofficial visit last weekend. While the trip was cut short due to inclement weather, Knight says the Illini top his list.

“Illinois is number one right,” Knight said. “I’m definitely looking into them.”

Knight also holds an offer from Western Michigan. He doesn’t yet have any other visits lined up.

Knight made the trip to Illinois with 4-star wide receiver Jeff Thomas, a top Illini target. Illinois is also recruiting East St. Louis dual-threat quarterback Reyondous Estes, who is currently committed to Missouri.

Knight picked up an offer from Illinois after a standout performance in the IHSA state finals as the East St. Louis defense dominated. Knight had 7 tackles and 2.4 TFL’s in a 26-13 win over Plainfield North in the Class 7A title game.

Like Illini freshman safety and East St. Louis product Stanley Green, Knight is a hard-hitting and tenacious defender. The East St. Louis visitors were only able to spend a few hours on campus in Champaign, but they made the most of it.

“We had to leave early because of the snow storm,” Knight said. “We looked at the locker room. There was a basketball game and we were chilling in the recruiting lounge and hanging out with Stan.”

The Illinois staff is playing catchup with Knight after extending an offer at the end of the high school season, but they are quickly building a relationship. Knight got to spend some one-on-one time with the Illini head coach.

“I talked to Lovie Smith and he said I’m a hell of a ball player and he liked my film,” Knight said.

Somewhat of a tweener, Knight said the Illini staff isn’t sure yet if he would play safety or outside linebacker should he choose to wear the Orange and Blue.

He doesn’t have a specific date when he wants to make his college decision.

“It should be soon,” he said.