Illinois reportedly recruiting top-50 center who was previously committed to B1G rival

Illinois is 1 of 3 programs who is continuing to recruit 2023 4-star center Dennis Evans.

Evans, one of the top centers in the country for his class, backed off of his commitment to Minnesota last week. Since then, the Illini, Louisville and Missouri have reached out, according to a report.

That’s per The Athletic’s Tobias Bass, who notes that there’s no timetable for Evans’ commitment.

5⭐️ center Dennis Evans tells me TCU, Louisville, Illinois and Missouri have reached out since his De-commitment

There is no timetable for his decision @TheAthleticCBB pic.twitter.com/u0KTPX7qtr

— Tobias Bass (@tobias_bass) February 26, 2023

Evans would be a major addition for Illinois in the class of 2023. He currently ranks as the No. 38 overall player and the No. 4 center in the country, per 247Sports Composite rankings.

Evans is listed at 7-foot-1, 210 pounds. Illinois has a proven track record of developing centers for the pro game. Most recently, Kofi Cockburn developed into a two-time All-American with the Illini.

Illinois already has 4 commitments in the class of 2023. However, Evans would become the Illini’s highest-rated signee in the class. The group currently ranks No. 23 nationally, per 247Sports Composite rankings.

Here are some highlights from his high school career:

Dennis Evans finishes his career at Hillcrest as the all-time leading shot blocker with 563 (16 in a one game), most triple doubles with 7, and second all-time leading scorer and rebounder with 1,083 and 794 respectively 😳 This year he shot 33% from 3 and 74% from the FT line! pic.twitter.com/nSLmMxLomu

— Coach Wood (@Hillcrest_Bball) February 26, 2023

Spenser Davis

Spenser is the news manager at Saturday Road and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.