It appears that Illinois football has received a somewhat surprising piece of good news, at least from my perspective. According to Illini Inquirer’s Jeremy Werner, two-star defensive back Nate Hobbs (KY) has given a verbal commitment to Lovie Smith and the Fighting Illini. Hobbs, a Louisville native, was formerly committed to play for the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, but it looks as if Jeff Brohm’s departure for Purdue prompted a change of heart.
According to 247Sports, Hobbs is the No. 2756 overall prospect in the nation; Illinois was his only Power 5 scholarship offer and a host of other D-I schools were involved.
BREAKING: Louisville Male cornerback Nate Hobbs (@based_nvte) tells Illini Inquirer that he has committed to #Illinihttps://t.co/GKVpvjkFNt
— Jeremy Werner (@JWernerScout) December 23, 2016
Illinois now has 16 players lined up for their 2017 recruiting class, and there are another 9 scholarships to fill before Signing Day. Hobbs is sixth player to join a future defensive unit highlighted by JUCO linebacker Delshawn Phillips, four-star defensive tackle Kendrick Green, and three-star defensive end Olalere Oladipo. Illinois’ overall class rank now ranks No. 49 nationally and No. 11 in the Big Ten.
Nate Hobbs HUDL Highlights
(edit: this video isn’t embedding properly for some reason, so here’s the actual link)