NSD: Top recruit Brody Wisecarver set to sign with Illinois
The early signing period for the class of 2021 opens on Wednesday. Signing day became complicated for Illinois when head coach Lovie Smith was let go over the weekend.
Still, the top ranked prospect in the class, offensive lineman Brody Wisecarver, will honor his commitment to the Illini and sign a letter of intent on the first day of the signing period.
Orange and Blue News spoke to Wisecarver about his decision to stick with Illinois, and what his expectations are when he gets to Champaign.
Wisecarver committed to Illinois in late May over offers from West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan State, Iowa State, Louisville, Kansas and others.
He was recruited by offensive line coach Bob McClain, and that relationship was key to his decision to pick Illinois. Wisecarver wasn't sure initially how things would play out when he heard about Lovie Smith's departure, but a call from AD Josh Whitman eased his concerns.
"Coach Lovie is someone I greatly respect," Wisecarver said. "I 'm aware that there are many factors that go into hiring and or letting a head coach go. Therefore, I wanted to hear from the AD and understand what their plan is and how I fit in it."
As a three-star (5.7) prospect according to Rivals.com, Wisecarver is the highest ranked player in the Illini's 2021 class.
For his senior season this fall, Wisecarver transferred from 2019 state champion DeSmet High School in St. Louis to Osage High School in central Missouri.
He's now set to graduate in December and will enroll at Illinois for the 2021 spring semester. Once he felt assured about his future with the Illini program, the decision to sign this week was easy, he said.
"They believe in me and I believe in them," he said. "Honestly I wanted to know what their plan is and now that I do my decision to sign on Wednesday the 16th was an easy one. 2021 will be an exciting year."
Wisecarver said he will likely redshirt as a freshman, put in work in the weight room, and be ready to make an impact in 2022.
He's glad to have the recruiting process finished and ready to make the move to Champaign next month. He missed his teammates from DeSmet, but his lone season at Osage went well.
"My senior year has been great," he said. I got a full season of football in and I am able to graduate this month. I feel that I have grown from this experience. I am, however, excited to get to Illinois and start training."
Wisecarver will sign his national letter of intent during a ceremony at his high school on Wednesday.