3-star 2022 QB Donovan Leary commits to Illinois

New head coach Bret Bielema is starting to get comfortable on the recruiting trail.

On Monday afternoon, three-star quarterback Donovan Leary out of Sicklerville, N.J., pledged his allegiance to the Fighting Illini staff.

Leary is listed as a top-1000 player in the class of 2022 and held offers from Boston College, Buffalo, Central Michigan and Colorado State.

The Illini had just offered the 6-foot-3, pro-style gunslinger two weeks ago, so this recruitment moved rather quick.

Prior to his shortened 2020-21 season, Leary threw for over 3,000 yards, 28 touchdowns and 10 interceptions as a sophomore, adding another three scores with his legs as well.

Leary joins offensive lineman Joey Okla, another three-star recruit out of Wisconsin, as the first two commitments in Bielema’s inaugural class.