Illinois Football: Illini Recruits Signed and Committed for 2017

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 11:03 a.m. ET

Fansided, Rees Woodcock/FanSided via Writing Illini

Here are the members of the Illinois football team class of 2017.

********Signed********

Team Ranking: 33, Big Ten Ranking: 8

Del'Shawn Phillips

4-star, Garden City CC

OLBIllinois needed linebacker help and they received that with JUCO transfer Phillips. He is enrolling early and will participate in spring practice.

Owen Carney

3-star, Miami, FL

DECarney is a 6-foot-4, 229-pound beast of a defensive tackle. He enrolled early and will be participating in spring practice.

Howard Watkins

3-star, Cincinnati, OH

OTWatkins is listed as a defensive tackle on Scout, but will be playing on the offensive line for the Illini. He also enrolled early and will be at spring practice.

Carmoni Green

3-star, Miami, FL

WRThe Illini wide receiver core just got strong with the signing of Green. He enrolled early and will participate in spring practice.

***Committed/Not Signed***

Illinois Fighting Illini, We Will Win

Ricky Smalling

4-star, Chicago, IL

WRThe wide receiver core continues to get stronger by the day. Adding a four-star player like Smalling will only benefit this offense now and into the future.

Kendrick Green

4-star, Peoria, IL

DTGetting highly regarded talent is something previous coaches failed to do. Lovie snagging a player like Kendrick Green will go a long way in building this program.

Alex Palczewski

3-Star, Mount Prospect, IL

OTIllinois received some more offensive line help with the Palczewski commitment. He was a great late find for Lovie Smith and the Illini.

Louis Dorsey

3-star, Jacksonville, FL

TEDespite being listed as a wide receivery by Scout, Dorsey will come in as a tight end. He will likely be competitive for the starting role come September.

Nate Hobbs

3-star, Louisville, KY

CBIllinois had an issue with stopping the pass last season. They received a commitment from cornerback Nate Hobbs and the defensive backfield will benefield will benefit greatly.

Dwayne Lawson

3-star, Garden City CC

QBThe quarterback position is by no means set for 2017. Lawson will have a shot to impress the coaches and become the starter.

Ra'Von Bonner

3-star, Cincinnati, OH

RBThe Illinois backfield is already deep, but adding Bonner made it even deeper. He will be a big-time player for the Illini in a few years.

Olalere Oladipo

3-star, Huntley, IL

DEBuilding the defensive line back up after the entire starting four left was a priority of Lovie Smith. He added Oladipo to help that cause.

Larry Boyd

3-star, St. Louis, MO

OGThe run and pass blocking for the Illini was suspect last season. With the addition of Boyd, I don’t think we have to worry too much about that anymore.

Tony Adams

3-star, St. Louis, MO

CBLovie is building the Illini defense into a powerhouse. Adding a pass defender like Adams will go a long way in accomplishing that goal.

Marc Mondesir

3-star, Chicago, IL

OLBThe linebacker situation was iffy after Hardy Nickerson departed. But, with the addition of Mondesir, things seems to be settling down.

Vederian Lowe

3-star, Rockford, IL

OGAnother offensive lineman that will protect the future quarterback is Lowe. He is a big-time get for the Illini and someone to watch out for.

Cam Thomas

3-star, Chicago Heights, IL

QBThe quarterback situation is by no means set for the Illinois football team. I fully expect Thomas to compete this season for the starting job.

Kendall Smith

3-star, Bolingbrook, IL

WRThe Illinois football team has a deep wide receiver core. Smith adds depth to this squad and I expect him to get snaps early on in his career.

Mike Epstein

3-star, Fort Lauderdale, FL

RBEpstein is a player who really burst onto the scene down in Florida. He committed to the Illini early on and I think he will be one of the best in no time.

James Knight

2-star, East Saint Louis, IL

OLBIllinois focused on getting some talented linebackers in the class of 2017 and snagging Knight was a big part of that process. He will be an asset in a year or two.Next: My Way-Too-Early Expectations for 2017

Live Updates: Comming Soon! National Signing Day February 1, 2017!