Three -star athlete Fabian McCray was one of many in-state prospects on the Illinois campus on Saturday for a junior day

We caught up with McCray to get the lowdown on his visit and update his recruitment.

Visitors for the junior day got to watch the Illini go through a spring practice at Memorial Stadium, tour the campus and facilities, and sit in on position meetings with the coaching staff.

Illinois also hosted two others from Phillips this week, tight end Jahleel Billingsley and athlete Joseph Thompson. McCray said the Illinois staff is making a stronger effort to land Chicago players.

"I really loved the environment down there," he said "The amount of Chicago players they are trying to recruit, they are trying to rebuild their program around them."

McCray helped Phillips to a state championship last fall playing both sides of the ball. Illinois is recruiting him to play offense, McCray said, with running backs coach Thad Ward heading up the recruitment.

"They are recruiting me as a receiver," McCray said. "Coach Ward is my recruiter. I really like him as a person so I can bond with him outside of football. We have a connection."

McCray said he knows current Illinois receivers Ricky Smalling and Mike Dudek, who were both prep stars in Chicagoland.

On the recruiting trail, McCray holds 18 offers with a handful of Power 5 programs showing him the heaviest interest.

"I've been talking to Illinois, Purdue, Iowa State, Northwestern, Cincinnati, and Minnesota," he said. "I want to visit Purdue and Cincinnati, but I don't have anything set up yet."

McCray said he doesn't have a specific timetable for a commitment.