Marquez Beason signs with Illinois

Four-star athlete Marquez Beason signed with Illinois during the first day of the Early Signing Period on Wednesday.

Beason — 5-foot-11 and 173 pounds, per 247 — was early momentum for Lovie Smith’s 2019 class, which is shaping up to be his best yet. Beason is the highest-ranked recruit to commit to Illinois since Arrelious Benn in 2007. As a top-100 recruit, Beason had a incredibly impressive offer sheet including LSU, Notre Dame, Ohio State and Oklahoma, among others. He still sits at the 84th-best recruit nationally, according to 247.

“The visit was good,” Beason told us in March. “Lovie Smith and the entire coaching staff showed me a wonderful time around campus, and I had no complaints.”

Beason participated at the recruiting event The Opening in July, showing off to scouts and coaches across the country the kind of insane athlete Illinois is getting.

Beason also announced plans to run track at Illinois in Mike Turk’s program back in July, but has since deleted that the original tweet announcing that.

Beason played on both sides of the ball in high school, but will most likely be slotted in at cornerback to start his Illinois career. He spent his first three years of high school at Bishop Dunne, but transferred to Texas power Duncanville High School for his senior campaign.

He originally committed to Illinois back in March.

Check out Beason’s most recent highlight video below.

Beason announced his intentions to sign with the Illini during the Early Signing Period on Tuesday.