Huge news for Lovie Smith and Fighting Illini football. According to Jeremy Werner, the program received a verbal commitment from wide receiver Ricky Smalling (Oak Lawn, IL) on Tuesday night. The 6-foot,185 Brother Rice star is rated as a four-star prospect by Scout, and he's the No. 6 Illinois native in 247Sports' composite rankings.
I'm extremely honored to say that I have committed to The University of Illinois #Illini #WeWillWin pic.twitter.com/sm0EweNp6u
— Ricky#ufe0fu20e32ufe0fu20e3 (@SuccessfulRicky) April 27, 2016
Smalling held other offers from Wisconsin, Missouri, Minnesota, Indiana, Purdue, Iowa State, Virginia, and Western Michigan.