Highlight Videos | Signing Day Central

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – University of Illinois head football coach Lovie Smith announced Friday the signing of 18 student-athletes to National Letters of Intent during the early signing period. The Illini also added a graduate transfer from Appalachian State, WR Shaedon Meadors.

The class, thus far, includes 10 players from the state of Florida, three from Illinois, three from Texas, one from Missouri and one from California. The class is balanced, with nine defensive players (2 DL, 1 LB, 6 DB) and nine offensive players (1 QB, 1 RB, 1 TE, 2 WR, 4 OL).

Five of the newcomers are expected to enroll at Illinois during the 2018 spring semester and participate in spring ball – freshmen Verdis Brown, Jakari Norwood, Reuben Unije, Nick Walker and graduate transfer Shaedon Meadors.

The second football NLI signing period begins on Feb. 7. Illinois has six remaining scholarships available for the 2018 class. 

2018 Illinois Signees (18)
Name	Pos.	Ht.	Wt.	Hometown/Previous School
Calvin Avery	DL	6-2	310	Dallas, Tex./Bishop Dunne
Daniel Barker	TE	6-4	230	Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Deerfield Beach
Sydney Brown	DB	6-0	190	Bradenton, Fla./St. Stephens Episcopal School
Verdis Brown*	DL	6-3	295	Chicago, Ill./IMG Academy (Fla.)
Edwin Carter	WR	6-3	180	Jacksonville, Fla./Sandalwood
Ron Hardge III	DB	6-1	175	Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Cardinal Gibbons
Kerby Joseph	DB	6-2	185	Orlando, Fla./Jones
Jartavius Martin	DB	6-0	175	Lehigh Acres, Fla./Lehigh Acres
Kievan Myers	OL	6-5	330	Dallas, Tex./Dishop Dunne
Jakari Norwood*	RB	5-10	175	Deerfield Beach, Fla./Deerfield Beach
Julian Pearl	OL	6-7	250	Danville, Ill./Danville
MJ Rivers	QB	6-4	215	Frisco, Tex./Lone Star
Carlos Sandy	WR	5-9	165	Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Cardinal Gibbons
Jordyn Slaughter	OL	6-5	295	Belleville, Ill./Althoff Catholic
Khalan Tolson	LB	6-0	200	St. Petersburg, Fla./Admiral Farragut Academy
Reuben Unije*	OL	6-6	310	Bradenton, Fla./IMG Academy
Nick Walker*	DB	5-10	175	St. Louis, Mo./Cisco College (Texas)
Delano Ware	DB	6-0	190	El Cerrito, Calif./El Cerrito

2018 Graduate Transfers
Name	Pos.	Ht.	Wt.	Hometown/Last College
Shaedon Meadors*	WR	6-2	180	Duncan, S.C./Appalachian State

* Early enrollee, Jan. 2018

HIGH SCHOOL SIGNEES

Calvin Avery
Dallas, Texas/Bishop Dunne
DL, 6-2, 310

» Four-star recruit by 247Sports, ESPN and Rivals
» Ranked No. 156 recruit in the nation by Rivals, No. 232 by ESPN and No. 299 by 247Sports
» Ranked No. 9 defensive tackle in the nation by Rivals, No. 16 by ESPN and No. 23 by 247Sports
» Ranked No. 34 recruit in Texas by 247Sports
» 2017 Under Armour All-America Game participant
» 2017 US Army All-American Game invitation
» 68 tackles, 12 sacks as a junior
» 2017 3A Texas Associated Press Sports Editors All-State
» 2017 Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools All-State
» High school teammate of fellow Illinois signee Kievan Myers
» Verbally committed to Illinois in August 2017
» Offers included Arizona State, Arkansas, Cal, Colorado, Florida State, Indiana, Missouri, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Oregon State, TCU, Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, USC and Washington

Daniel Barker
Ft. Lauderdale, Fla./Deerfield Beach
TE, 6-4, 230

» Three-star recruit by 247Sports, ESPN and Rivals
» Ranked No. 66 tight end in the nation by 247Sports
» Ranked No. 237 recruit in Florida by 247Sports
» 2017 Sun Sentinel honorable mention
» High school teammate of fellow Illinois signee Jakari Norwood
» Verbally committed to Illinois in July 2017
» Offers included Kentucky, Pittsburg, FIU, FAU, Marshall, Southern Miss, Toledo, UAB and UCF

Sydney Brown
London, Ontario/St. Stephen's Episcopal School (Fla.)
S, 5-11, 195

» Three-star recruit by 247Sports
» Ranked No. 106 safety in the nation by 247Sports
» Ranked No. 106 recruit in Florida by 247Sports
» Transferred to St. Stephen's Episcopal School from London South Collegiate Institute
» Led St. Stephen's Episcopal to back-to-back Sunshine State Athletic Conference independent state championships
» 51 tackles, 7.0 TFLs, two interceptions, five passes defensed, one fumble recovery and one forced fumble as a senior
» 81 tackles, 2.0 TFLs, one interception and five passes defended as a junior
» Also ran track in high school

Verdis Brown
Chicago, Ill./IMG Academy (Fla.)
DL, 6-3, 295

» Four-star recruit by ESPN and Rivals
» Three-star recruit by 247Sports
» Ranked No. 199 recruit in the nation by ESPN and No. 397 by 247Sports
» Ranked No. 2 center in the nation by Rivals, No. 3 by ESPN and No. 7 by 247Sports
» Ranked No. 36 recruit in Florida by Rivals, No. 54 by 247Sports and No. 65 by ESPN
» 2017 Under Armour All-America Game
» Played three seasons at Mount Carmel (Chicago) before transferring to IMG Academy (Fla.)
» Played offensive and defensive line at Mount Carmel (Chicago)
» Played center at IMG Academy (Fla.)
» Announced his commitment to Illinois on December 22, 2017
» Plans to enroll at Illinois in January 2018
» Offers included Florida State, Indiana, LSU, Michigan, Michigan State, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Purdue, Tennessee, UCF, UCLA and Wisconsin

Edwin Carter
Jacksonville, Fla./Sandalwood
WR, 6-3, 180

» Three-star recruit by ESPN and Rivals
» Ranked No. 198 wide receiver in the nation by ESPN
» Ranked No. 222 recruit in Florida by ESPN
» Also ran track in high school
» 2017 Florida Times Union All-First Coast 300m Hurdles honorable mention
» Verbally committed to Illinois in December 2017
» Offers included Mercer, Middle Tennessee and Western Illinois

Ron Hardge III
Ft. Lauderdale, Fla./Cardinal Gibbons
DB, 6-1, 175

» Three-star recruit by 247Sports and ESPN
» Two-star recruit by Rivals
» Ranked No. 106 safety in the nation by ESPN and No. 155 by 247Sports
» Ranked No. 217 recruit in Florida by ESPN and No. 217 by 247Sports
» 29 tackles, 1.0 TFL, one interception and one fumble recovery returned for TD as a senior
» 33 tackles, four interceptions and three fumble recoveries as a junior
» High school teammate of fellow Illinois signee Carlos Sandy
» Verbally committed to Illinois in June 2017
» Offers included Indiana, Kansas, Mississippi, N.C. State, Pittsburgh, Rutgers and USF

Kerby Joseph
Orlando, Fla./Jones HS
CB, 6-2, 185

» Three-star recruit by Rivals
» Two-star recruit by 247Sports
» Two-way player in high school
» Four interceptions and 7.0 TFLs as a senior, plus five touchdown receptions
» Verbally committed to Illinois in December 2017
» Offers included Mississippi State, Syracuse, USF and FAU

Jartavius Martin
Lehigh Acres, Fla./Lehigh Acres
DB, 6-0, 175

» Three-star recruit by 247Sports and ESPN
» Two-star recruit by Rivals
» Ranked No. 101 safety in the nation by ESPN and No. 105 by 247Sports
» Ranked No. 206 recruit in Florida by ESPN and No. 206 by 247Sports
» 87 tackles, one interception and one fumble recovery as a senior
» 38 tackles and two interceptions as a junior
» Verbally committed to Illinois in July 2017
» Offers included Iowa State, Air Force, Central Michigan, FIU, Georgia Southern, Sothern Miss and Tulane

Kievan Myers
Dallas, Texas/Bishop Dunne
OL, 6-5, 330

» Three-star recruit by 247Sports, ESPN and Rivals
» Ranked No. 50 offensive guard in the nation by Rivals, No. 52 by ESPN and No. 55 by 247Sports
» Ranked No. 88 recruit in Texas by Rivals, No. 130 by ESPN and No. 165 by 247Sports
» 2017 Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools All-State second team
» 2017 3A Texas Associated Press Sports Editors All-State second team
» High school teammate of fellow Illinois signee Calvin Avery
» Verbally committed to Illinois in June 2017
» Offers included Colorado, Colorado State, Houston, Memphis, Mississippi State, Missouri, Texas Tech, UCF, Utah and West Virginia

Jakari Norwood
Deerfield Beach, Fla./Deerfield Beach
RB, 5-10, 175

» Three-star recruit by ESPN
» Two-star recruit by 247Sports and Rivals
» Ranked No. 96 running back in the nation by ESPN and No. 142 by 247Sports
» Ranked No. 246 recruit in Florida by ESPN and No. 320 by 247Sports
» 2016 and 2017 Sun Sentinel honorable mention
» Cousin is 2016 Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Lamar Jackson
» High school teammate of fellow Illinois signee Daniel Barker
» Verbally committed to Illinois in June 2017
» Plans to enroll at Illinois in January 2018
» Offers included Bowling Green, Southern Miss, Morgan State and N.C. Central

Julian Pearl
Danville, Ill./Danville
OL, 6-7, 250

» Three-star recruit by 247Sports and ESPN
» Two-star recruit by Rivals
» Ranked No. 531 recruit in the nation by 247Sports
» Ranked No. 41 offensive tackle in the nation by 247Sports and No. 107 by ESPN
» Ranked No. 7 recruit in Illinois by 247Sports and No. 28 by ESPN
» 2017 IHSFCA 6A All-State honorable mention
» 2017 All-Big 12 first team
» 2017 Champaign News-Gazette All-Area
» Led Danville to back-to-back IHSA playoff berths
» Also played basketball in high school
» Verbally committed to Illinois in April 2017
» Also offered by Northern Illinois

MJ Rivers
Frisco, Texas/Lone Star
QB, 6-4, 215

» Three-star recruit by 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN
» Ranked No. 964 recruit in the nation by 247Sports
» Ranked No. 28 dual threat quarterback in the nation by 247Sports
» Ranked No. 46 pocket passer quarterback in the nation by ESPN
» Ranked No. 118 recruit in Texas by 247Sports and No. 163 by ESPN
» Completed 130-of-201 passes for 2,611 yards and 28 touchdowns and rushed for 950 yards as a senior at Lone Star
» Led Lone Star to the 2017 Texas 5A Division II Region II finals
» Totaled 425 yards of total offense in the 2017 5A Division II Region II semifinals against Waxahachie
» Scored six touchdowns (four rushing, two passing) in the 2017 Texas state playoffs first round
» Transferred to Lone Star from Prestonwood Christian
» Completed 165-of-252 passes for 2,234 yards and 23 touchdowns and rushed for 1,361 yards as a junior at Prestonwood Christian
» Son of former NFL tight end Marcellus Rivers
» Verbally committed to Illinois in September 2017
» Offers included Iowa State and New Mexico

Carlos Sandy
Ft. Lauderdale, Fla./Cardinal Gibbons
WR, 5-9, 165

» Three-star recruit by 247Sports, ESPN and Rivals
» Ranked No. 147 wide receiver in the nation by ESPN and No. 270 by 247Sports
» Ranked No. 131 recruit in Florida by ESPN and No. 285 by 247Sports
» 2017 All-Broward 1A-5A first team
» 32 receptions for 498 yards and five touchdowns as a senior
» 43 receptions for 800 yards and seven touchdowns as a junior
» High school teammate of fellow Illinois signee Ron Hardge III
» Verbally committed to Illinois in June 2017
» Offers included Colorado State, Syracuse, East Carolina, FAU, Massachusetts, Toledo, Troy, Utah State, Western Kentucky and Western Michigan

Jordyn Slaughter
Belleville, Ill./Althoff Catholic
OL, 6-5, 295

» Three-star recruit by 247Sports, ESPN and Rivals
» Ranked No. 912 recruit in the nation by 247Sports
» Ranked No. 75 offensive tackle in the nation by ESPN and No. 83 by 247Sports
» Ranked No. 20 recruit in Illinois by 247Sports, No. 22 by Rivals and No. 25 by ESPN
» Led Althoff Catholic to the second round of the 2017 IHSA football playoffs
» Verbally committed to Illinois in June 2017
» Offers included Vanderbilt, Bowling Green and Toledo

Khalan Tolson
St. Petersburg, Fla./Admiral Farragut Academy
LB, 6-0, 200

» Three-star recruit by 247Sports, ESPN and Rivals
» Ranked No. 799 recruit in the nation by 247Sports
» Ranked No. 55 outside linebacker in the nation by 247Sports and No. 83 by ESPN
» Ranked No. 125 recruit in Florida by 247Sports and No. 197 by ESPN
» 15.0 TFLs and 11.0 sacks as a junior
» Played for Team Florida in the 2016 7-on-7 AAU Junior Olympics
» Verbally committed to Illinois in July 2017
» Offers included Cincinnati, Indiana, Iowa State, Louisville, Michigan, Michigan State, Mississippi State, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Syracuse, UCF and USF

Reuben Unije
Bradenton, Fla./IMG Academy
OL, 6-6, 310

» Four-star recruit by ESPN and Rivals
» Three-star recruit by 247Sports
» Ranked No. 720 recruit in the nation by 247Sports
» Ranked No. 21 offensive tackle in the nation by Rivals, No. 31 by ESPN and No. 57 by 247Sports
» Ranked No. 56 recruit in Florida by Rivals, No. 81 by ESPN and No. 108 by 247Sports
» 2016 MaxPreps Junior All-American
» Verbally committed to Illinois in December 2017
» Plans to enroll at Illinois in January 2018
» Offers included Alabama, Arizona State, Arkansas, Florida, Iowa State, Kentucky, Louisville, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, N.C. State, Oklahoma, Oregon, Oregon State, South Carolina, Tennessee, UCLA, Virginia and Virginia Tech

Nick Walker
St. Louis, Mo./Miller Career Academy (Mo.)/Cisco College (Texas)
DB, 5-10, 185

» Two-star recruit by 247Sports
» Transferred from Cisco College (Texas)
» 30 tackles (25 solo), three interceptions, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble in nine games in 2017
» All-conference in football and basketball in high school
» Also ran track in high school
» St. Louis American Prep Athlete of the Week Sept. 9, 2015 after totaling 492 all-purpose yards and accounting for five touchdowns against St. Francis Borgia
» Plans to enroll at Illinois in January 2018

Delano Ware
El Cerrito, Calif./El Cerrito
DB, 6-0, 190

» Three-star recruit by 247Sports and ESPN
» Two-star recruit by Rivals
» Ranked No. 115 cornerback in the nation by ESPN and No. 137 by 247Sports
» Ranked No. 127 recruit in California by ESPN and No. 180 by 247Sports
» Two-time all-league first team
» Verbally committed to Illinois in December 2017
» Offers included Air Force and Nevada

GRADUATE TRANSFER

Shaedon Meadors
Duncan, S.C./Byrnes/Appalachian State
WR, 6-2, 180

 » Played at Appalachian State from 2014-16
 » Missed the 2017 season with an injury
 » 82 receptions for 1,442 yards and eight touchdowns in his Appalachian State career
 » 2016 All-Sun Belt second team
 » 45 receptions for 716 yards and two touchdowns as junior in 2016
 » Led Appalachian State and ranked seventh in the Sun Belt with 716 receiving yards in 2016
 » Made SportsCenter's top plays for an acrobatic catch against Georgia State in 2016
 » Career-long 56-yard reception against Louisiana in 2016
 » 21 receptions for 439 yards and three touchdowns as a sophomore in 2015
 » 15 receptions for 287 yards and three touchdowns as a freshman in 2014
 » Made SportsCenter's top plays for a one-handed 31-yard catch against Louisiana-Monroe in 2014
 » 2013 South Carolina Division I-AAAA Offensive Player of the Year as a senior in high school
 » Born Sept. 21, 1995
 » Son of Shenra and Chuck Cunningham
 » Majored in criminal justice at Appalachian State
» Plans to enroll at Illinois in January 2018