Signing Day Central | Recruit Highlights
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – University of Illinois head football coach Bill Cubit announced Wednesday the signing of 22 student-athletes to National Letters of Intent to play football for the Fighting Illini in 2016. The 22 newest Illini join three other newcomers who are already on campus taking classes in the 25-man 2016 recruiting class.
"I'm very proud of the 25 young men who have signed with Illinois in this class," Cubit said. "Our staff did an outstanding job in selling this fantastic institution and the vision we have for our program, while evaluating the type of student-athlete who will help elevate our team. We added important depth at linebacker, tight end, offensive line and in the defensive backfield, while bringing in a balanced group. This class embraced the academic excellence provided here at the University of Illinois.
"The group is full of long, rangy athletes, especially at linebacker and tight end. We added a productive, down-hill type of running back, two wide outs who have the potential to come in and play immediately, speed and athleticism at linebacker and size on the offensive line. We have 17 all-staters in this group while the entire class combined for 11 state championships."
The full list of 2016 Illinois signees is below. (Click player name for bio and highlight video)
| NAME
|
POS
|
HT / WT
|
HOMETOWN
|
HIGH SCHOOL/COLLEGE
|
TIME
|
| Tre Nation
|
RB
|
5-11 / 220
|
Leeds, Ala.
|
Leeds
|
11:05 AM CT
|
| Tymir Oliver
|
DL
|
6-4 / 280
|
Sharon Hill, Pa.
|
West Philadelphia Catholic
|
10:53 AM CT
|
| Stanley Green
|
DB
|
6-1 / 195
|
East St. Louis, Ill.
|
East St. Louis Senior
|
10:40 AM CT
|
| M.J. McGriff
|
WR
|
5-9 / 175
|
Vero Beach, Fla.
|
Vero Beach
|
8:54 AM CT
|
| Dele Harding
|
LB
|
6-1 / 230
|
Elkton, Md.
|
Eastern Christian
|
8:45 AM CT
|
| Brandon Jones
|
DL
|
6-5 / 235
|
Columbia, Mo.
|
Hickman
|
8:42 AM CT
|
| Harvey Clayton
|
DB
|
6-2 / 190
|
Miami, Fla.
|
Coral Reef
|
8:35 AM CT
|
| Kenyon Jackson
|
DL
|
6-0 / 290
|
Little Rock, Ark.
|
Parkview Arts & Science Magnet
|
8:03 AM CT
|
| Darta Lee
|
OL
|
6-3 / 300
|
Fresno, Texas
|
Hightower
|
7:46 AM CT
|
| Dom Thieman
|
WR
|
6-3 / 190
|
Wilton Manors, Fla.
|
St. Thomas Aquinas
|
7:42 AM CT
|
| Andrew Trainer
|
TE
|
6-7 / 245
|
Alexandria, Va.
|
St. Stephen's and St. Agnes School
|
7:42 AM CT
|
| Eddy Fish
|
OL
|
6-6 / 295
|
Groton, Mass.
|
Lawrence Academy
|
7:42 AM CT
|
| Zarrian Holcombe
|
TE
|
6-6 / 220
|
Houston, Texas
|
Summer Creek
|
7:42 AM CT
|
| Ayo Shogbonyo
|
LB
|
6-2 / 205
|
Arlington, Tex.
|
Mansfield Summit
|
7:36 AM CT
|
| Griffin Palmer
|
TE
|
6-5 / 220
|
St. Charles, Mo.
|
De Smet Jesuit
|
7:27 AM CT
|
| Kurt Gavin
|
OL
|
6-4 / 290
|
Mokena, Ill.
|
Lincoln-Way East
|
7:26 AM CT
|
| Izon Pulley
|
DL
|
6-4 / 250
|
Olney, MD
|
Good Counsel
|
7:03 AM CT
|
| Jake Cerny
|
OL
|
6-5 / 295
|
Traverse City, Mich.
|
Traverse City West
|
7:00 AM CT
|
| James McCourt
|
K
|
6-1 / 185
|
Parkland, Fla.
|
St. Thomas Aquinas
|
6:55 AM CT
|
| Evan Jones
|
DB
|
6-2 / 185
|
Conyers, Ga.
|
Salem
|
6:26 AM CT
|
| Jake Hansen
|
LB
|
6-2 / 220
|
Tarpon Springs, Fla.
|
East Lake
|
6:22 AM CT
|
| Christion Abercrombie
|
LB
|
6-2 / 220
|
Atlanta, Ga.
|
Westlake
|
6:06 AM CT
|
| Amhari Hayes
|
DB
|
6-3 / 185
|
Davis Calif.
|
Davis HS/College of San Mateo
|
Early Enrollee
|
| Eli Peters
|
QB
|
6-3 / 210
|
Jacksonville, Fla.
|
Sandalwood HS
|
Early Enrollee
|
| Trenard Davis
|
DB
|
6-0 / 195
|
Boynton Beach, Fla.
|
American Heritage
|
Early Enrollee
|
