CHAMPAIGN – Timing is everything.

Just ask Illinois football coach Lovie Smith, recruiting ace Thad Ward and a handful of recruits from a loaded talent pool in the St. Louis metro area. With the Illini trying to rebuild a roster lean on talent as quickly as possible, it’s remarkably fortunate for Illinois that a close recruiting market is having one of its best years in decades, if not ever.

In his first season on the job, Lovie already built relationships with St. Louis coaches and landed a key recruit. St. Louis Trinity Christian offensive tackle Larry Boyd committed to the Illini prior to last season, and he’s rated as a player who could make immediate impact.