Commits holding firm on Illinois
Illinois athletic director Josh Whitman’s first day on the job was a busy one. He fired football coach Bill Cubit just weeks after several Chicago-area players signed letters of intent with the Illini.
Lincoln-Way East senior offensive lineman Kurt Gavin was one of the in-state headliners of Illinois’ recruiting class and said he is still excited about his college choice.
‘‘I’m not the best judge of coaches, so I wouldn’t know a lot about it,’’ Gavin said. ‘‘I liked coach Cubit a lot, and it was kind of shocking to hear about it this morning. [But] I’m a firm believer in the school and love Illinois, so I hope they are able to find the right coach.’’
Hinsdale Central offensive lineman Doug Kramer, who will enroll at Illinois in the second semester in January 2017, felt similarly.
‘‘It’s crazy, but the only things worth worrying about are the things we can control,’’ Kramer said. ‘‘I’ll be all-in on Illinois until the day I die, and I want them to hire someone who cares about Illinois as much as all of the current players and commits do.’’
Walker picks Western Michigan
Montini running back Prince Walker, one of the most explosive athletes in the junior class, picked up a flurry of scholarship offers (Western Michigan, Bowling Green, Northern Illinois, Buffalo and Illinois State) in recent weeks.
With no desire to drag out the recruiting process, the 5-9, 180-pounder gave his verbal commitment to Western Michigan after visiting the school last week.
‘‘I was excited to start the recruiting process, but I’m even more excited it’s over,’’ Walker said. ‘‘I really can start to get to knowthe coaching staff and other commits and spend my summer only going to their camps to see the ways that they coach.’’
Walker said the campus, coaches and program fit what he was looking for.
‘‘From the people to the facilities and the campus, everything there just feels like home,’’ Walker said.
Two Loyola players add offers
Loyola standouts Jake Marwede and Ian Swenson added several offers last week. Both picked up an offer from Louisville.
‘‘The offer from Louisville was honestly such an unexpected offer, so I haven’t been able to research the school very much yet,’’ said Swenson, a defensive back.
Marwede, a tight end, added offers from Missouri and Miami. Swenson received offers from Central Michigan, Bowling Green and Wyoming, too.
‘‘Getting my first offer [Central Michigan] was honestly a great feeling,’’ Swenson said. ‘‘The best part was knowing all the hard work I have put in has finally paid off. Also, it made my parents so happy.’’
Swenson said he has enjoyed the recruiting process so far.
‘‘I would have to say my favorite part has been meeting great coaches and learning about the phenomenal academic and athletic aspects of great universities,’’ he said.
Follow me on Twitter @Beth_Long.