Illini tracking 3-star Florida linebacker

Illinois continues to keep close tabs on 3-star linebacker DeCalon Brooks from Tampa (Fla.) Gaither.

There is an Illini connection with Brooks. Head coach Lovie Smith coached his Hall-of-Fame father Derrick Brooks in Tampa.

“I plan to visit Illinois,” Brooks said. “I’ve been keeping in touch with them and Coach Lovie. I’m interested in seeing the school, especially since he used to coach my dad. I want to get up there and see what it’s like.”

Illinois was the first Power 5 offer from Brooks, and he was the first prospect to pick up an offer from Lovie Smith after Smith accepted the job at Illinois in March.

An offer is also now on the table from Florida State – his father’s alma mater – as well as Iowa State, South Florida, and FIU. According to Brooks, there are four schools that are showing the most attention at the moment.

“Florida State, USF, Illinois, and Rutgers - all of the colleges that have offered me a scholarship are keeping in touch, but those are the ones I would say are keeping in touch the most.”

Still, Brooks isn’t ready to name favorites and he hasn’t decided where he will take his visits before ultimately making a commitment.

“Right now I’m just trying to figure out which schools where I’m going to take my official visits,” he said. “There’s nothing concrete yet. I’m still talking to family. I’m not sure if I’m going to take all of my official visits.”

At 5-foot-10, 190 pounds, Brooks isn’t yet sure what position he will play at the next level.

“Some schools see me a strong safety or outside linebacker,” Brooks said. “I can use my speed and move around on the field, so one of the outside positions.”

Brooks won’t know for sure when he will pull the trigger and make a commitment until he locks in his official visits.

“There’s not really a timetable for my decision,” he said. “When it comes, it’s going to be a decision that I stick to.”