Anthony Shipton signs with Illinois

The Illini added some toughness in the trenches.

Anthony Shipton, a defensive tackle from Cerritos College in California, has signed for the class of 2020 in the Early Signing Period.

The Villa Park, California, native adds to a position that needs bodies as the top three tackles from the 2019 team will graduate.

Shipton adds a mean streak to the D-tackle depth next year. A high-motor player who doesn't stop until the whistle blows, Shipton brings a tenacity to the position that several current Illini tackles could benefit from.

The 6-foot-4, 290-pound Shipton is a sophomore at Cerritos Community College in Norwalk, Calif. He tallied 31 tackles, 4 sacks, and 5.5 tackles for loss for the Falcons, and was unanimously named to the First Team defense of the Central League of the Southern California Football Association.

Shipton committed back on Dec. 8.

Personally, I see some Jamal Woods to Shipton's game. Limited physically, but will work hard and make an impact throughout his Illini career. Woods has yet to break out as a pass rusher, but he's tenacious and clogs up lanes. It's a quality take at a position of need.