UPDATE: Four-star WR Jadon Thompson commits to Illinois
Champaign - 2020 Chicago Marist four-star wide receiver Jadon Thompson attended Illinois spring practice and junior day on Saturday. Now he becomes the third commitment from that group of visitors with a pledge to Illinois on Monday.
The sunny spring day in Champaign allowed Thompson to explore campus and see the new facilities that are being built, a testament to the program, according to Thompson.
“It just shows where Illinois and Illinois football is going and that’s toward the right direction,” Thompson said.
Thompson is the third commitment for Illinois in the wake of the junior day, joining running back Reggie Love and offensive lineman Marcus Harper.
Thompson said he’s also made great relationships with each member of the Illinois coaching staff that’s had a hand in his recruitment.
Illinois running back coach Mike Bellamy continues to be a popular name recruits continue to bring up regarding the staff.
“Coach Bellamy is doing a really good job of recruiting me,” Thompson said. “Coach Bellamy’s a really good coach actually. I’m getting a chance to talk to him. He’s sending me text messages, laughing and joking with him so he’s a really cool coach.”
In their current state, the Illini are deprived at wide receiver, so Illinois wide receiver coach Andrew Hayes-Stoker has been telling Thompson he can have an immediate impact at Illinois.
“(Hayes-Stoker) has been telling me they can use me here, they can use players like me and (2020 Chicago Lincoln Way East tailback A.J. Henning) and that we can make a difference here,” Thompson said. “I actually feel like we can, being out here and seeing the guys and seeing what we can do for the team.”
Thompson had planned to make his decision in November, roughly around his birthday, but obviously those plans have changed. Blue blood schools such as Michigan, Michigan State and LSU have been on Thompson’s radar prior to his commitment.
The visit to Illinois for the junior day sealed the deal for Thompson.
“I think this is my favorite visit so far,” Thompson said following the trip. “I’m not going to say anything else, but I think this is my favorite visit so far. The coaching staff is incredible here.”
Thompson said he was looking for a second home, and he apparently found it at Illinois.
“I’m looking for a place to call home. I like bonds. If they’re going to be my brothers then they’re going to be my brothers for the rest of my life," Thompson said. "And with the coaches, if they’re going to be family, then they’re going to be family for the rest of my life.”