Lovie Smith and staff signed their first recruiting class on Wednesday, adding 24 individuals to the Fighting Illini family. 

» The Class | Signee Highlights | Signing Day Central

Check out some of the reaction to the Illinois Class of 2017

The Newest Illini: Lovie Smith Announces Impressive 2017 Recruiting Class
- Vinnie Duber, CSN Chicago

Lovie Smith announces foundation-building class
- Derek Piper, Scout.com

Lovie Smith's first Illini recruiting class includes 10 in-state players
- Peter Bailey-Wells, Peoria Journal Star

St. Louis Area football recruits beginning to feel the Lovie
- David Kvidahl, STLToday.com

10 in-state players for Illinois are its most since 2008
- Associated Press

Get to know Illini football's Class of 2017
- Bob Asmussen, Champaign News-Gazette

Lovie Smith's reputation is winning Illinois recruits
- Mark Tupper, Decatur Herald & Review

'Lovie factor' helps recruiting at Illinois
- Mark Tupper, Decatur Herald & Review

Illinois signing day profile: Brother Rice receiver Ricky Smalling
- Shannon Ryan, Chicago Tribune

Lovie Smith's First Recruiting Class Very Solid Considering Situation
- Paul Banks, TheSportsBank.net

Illinois football's Smith is all smiles with 2017 class
- Mike Gasick, The Daily Illini

Class of 2017 Running Backs are Underrated
- Rees Woodcock, WritingIllini.com

Lovie signs his first class (live blog)
- Matt Daniels, Champaign News-Gazette