St. Louis (Mo.) Lutheran North sophomore offensive tackle Kevon Billingsley received his first FBS offer earlier this month from the Fighting Illini.

The 6-foot-5, 260-pound lineman has been recruited mainly by head coach Lovie Smith so far, but he has also exchanged several Twitter messages with some coaches on the Illinois staff.

Smith made a trip to Lutheran North recently to catch up with a few prospects at the highly regarded St. Louis high school, but Billingsley was not at school that day.

“I was really disappointed when I wasn’t able to see him,” Billingsley said. “I haven’t been able to have an in-person conversation with him yet, but I have heard and seen a bunch of people talk about how he is a great man. And I obviously feel good he had the confidence in me to offer, because I think he knows talent.”