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On the same day that all of Illinois’ 2021 signees arrived on campus, the Fighting Illini landed a commitment from a priority target in 2022’s class.
Three-star linebacker Malachi Hood announced Monday that he’ll be donning Orange & Blue next season.
Why wait? #Committed #famILLy22 pic.twitter.com/Nw7q8PuV6n
— Malachi Hood (@Malachiloading) June 7, 2021
The Illini offered Hood a scholarship just last Tuesday, and the Joliet Catholic product was in Champaign for an official visit over the weekend.
The 6-foot-2, 210-pound linebacker is the 25th-ranked player in Illinois by 247Sports.
Hood joins his classmate, tailback Jordan Anderson, as part of the Illini’s class of 2022. He is the fifth in-state pledge, along with Anderson, receiver Hank Beatty (Rochester), tight end Henry Boyer (Brother Rice), and offensive lineman Clayton Leonard (Iroquois West).
Check out some of Hood’s highlights below:
Bret Bielema vowed to make Illinois kids a high priority and he has lived up to that promise so far. He and his staff have worked quickly and diligently to cultivate relationships with coaches and players throughout the state.