Illini pick up running back as signing day looms

Highly productive 2-star running back Tre Nation from Leeds (Ala.) pledged to Illinois one day before National Signing Day.

The 5-foot-11, 219-pound Nation adds a between-the-tackles runner to the Illini offense. He’s a one-cut power back with a low center of gravity. He rushed for over 1,800 yards and a remarkable 34 TD's as a senior.

Following the Rivals Camp Series in Atlanta in March, Nation was named the No. 12 overall performer.

"Nation is a bruising runner in game situations, but he showed a nice ability to get open and make plays in the passing game on Saturday," Rivals.com's Southeast Recruiting Analyst Woody Wommack said. "He has a powerful lower body and when making plays out of the backfield, he actually enjoys creating contact near the line of scrimmage before using his quick feet to get his big body moving into space.”

Illinois made Nation a priority after long-time commits Devin Singletary and Kentrail Moran were both academic casualties. The Illini now set their sights on wide receiver, offensive line, and defensive line with less than a day until NLI’s can be received.