When Chula Vista (Calif.) Eastlake’s William Dunkle got the call from Illinois defensive coordinator Hardy Nickerson last week informing him that the Illini were going to be his first Power Five offer, the 6-foot-5, 345-pound offensive tackle was left at a loss for words.

“It was amazing,” Dunkle said. “I was speechless. I really was. It was surreal. Getting to talk to Hardy Nickerson was a great experience in the first place, and the offer was just an amazing feeling. It was truly a big blessing for me in my recruiting.”