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Illinois lands in-state offensive lineman recruit, first pledge of 2025 class

Keith Farner

By Keith Farner

Published:

Illinois has kept up with its recent momentum on the line of scrimmage with its first pledge in the 2025 class.

Michael McDonough, a 6-foot-3 and 275-pound interior offensive lineman, committed to the Illini. He’s from Tinley Park, Illinois and plays for Victor J Andrew High School. He has a reported 6 offers, including Purdue, Colorado and Boston College.

McDonough shared the news on social media:

“I am so grateful and excited to announce my verbal commitment to further my academic and athletic career at The University of Illinois! First I would like to thank my parents for everything they have done for me over the years and supporting me throughout this whole process. I would also like to all the coaches who supported me and pushed me to be the best version of myself. Finally I would like to thank God for giving me this great opportunity.”

It’s the third time in 4 recruiting cycles under that Illinois’ first commitment in a high school recruiting class is an offensive lineman. Earlier, it was Joey Okla (2022) and Brandon Hansen (2024).

McDonough joins a lineman group in the future that includes Hansen, TJ McMillen and Brandon Henderson. There’s also Eddie Tuerk, who will begin his career as a defensive lineman.

Here are his highlights from Hudl:

Keith Farner

Keith Farner has written about college football for newspapers and web sites since 2005.