Fighting Illini football just landed another significant addition to their 2017 recruiting class. Peoria defensive tackle Kendrick Green (IL) announced a verbal commitment to Illinois on Thursday night, picking the Orange and Blue over the likes of Iowa and Missouri. WHOI/WEEK sports director Jim Mattson first reported the news prior to the announcement.
Green is currently pegged as a four-star prospect by Scout, and he’s rated as the nation’s No. 450 overall player by 247Sports. The Peoria native held additional scholarship offers from Minnesota, Syracuse, Rutgers, UCF, Toledo, and Western Michigan.
It's a wrap. #Committed #PeoriaPipeline pic.twitter.com/GwX6GFDGoY
— Kendrick J. Green (@The_fridge53) December 23, 2016
“This has been a brutal process and has stressed me out on many levels. I’ve put in a ton of time and energy into making myself a better athlete, and it was worked out well for me. I would like to thank everyone who has taken the time and effort to recruit me. I would also like to thank everyone who supported me along the way from Woodruff JFL to everyone at Peoria High. But fortunately, God has blessed me with talent, and I will be taking those talents to the University of Illinois. #WeWillWin #PeoriaPipeline”
Green’s commitment is particularly notable for Illinois because the coaching staff had only extended an offer about three weeks ago; the 6-foot-4, 270-pound lineman was considered to be a heavy Iowa-lean at the time. Furthermore, Green will aid in bolstering a huge area of need for the Illini along with three-star defensive end Olalere Oladipo (IL).
Per 247Sports, Illinois’ recruiting class now sits at No. 55 in the country and No. 11 in the Big Ten. Scout’s rankings, however, have that same group at No. 42 nationally.