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Lovie Smith ‘disappointed’ at zero in-state prospects among Illinois’ 12 signees for 2020
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The 2019 Early Signing Period is taking place between Wednesday, Dec. 18 and Friday, Dec. 20. Many recruits committed, signed or flipped from one program to another during that first day.
Most recruiting classes for 2020 are either fully complete or nearly complete. At Illinois, it’s no different. Of the 13 players to commit to the Fighting Illini, 12 have signed their letter on intent. They are legitimate members of the program now.
RELATED: Florida DL flips from Maryland to Illinois
On Thursday, the second day of the period, Illinois coach Lovie Smith talked a bit about his class and how none of the 12 signees are from the state of Illinois:
#illini Lovie Smith: Disappointed unable to sign Illinois kids but we offered 19 who decided to go elsewhere.
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) December 19, 2019
It’s one thing to offer a recruit. It’s another to get them to sign. Illinois took a step forward in 2019. Maybe it will take one more step ahead in 2020 to get players in the state of Illinois to fully buy in.
More from Smith on his class:
#illini Lovie: Anthony Shipton takes over a room. That's the way he palys the game. Excited and plays hard. Will play nose guard.
Lavar Gardner one of the fastest linebackers in the country. We have options at LB. Jake Hansen may be inside linebacker next year.
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) December 19, 2019
#illini Lovie: A few players could enroll early. There's good and bad of high school guys. There's something to be said for finishing up senior year with your friends.
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) December 19, 2019
#illini Lovie: We plan on going into the Indianapolis area more.
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) December 19, 2019
#illini Lovie: Joe Price knows the Houston area well. Another young guy who's aggressive and relentless.
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) December 19, 2019
Illinois’ entire 2020 class can be found here. It ranks No. 65 nationally and No. 13 in the Big Ten.
Six of the 12 signees are from the state of Florida, while another three are from Missouri.
Kevin covers Big Ten football for Saturday Tradition.