While there has been some bounce-back within the 2021 Illinois recruiting class, due to the Illini’s firing of 5-year head coach Lovie Smith, Illinois is faring well with their commitments as the early-signing period began on Wednesday.

Most notably, on Wednesday top-500 offensive line prospect Brody Wisecarver announced he will sign with Illinois. Wisecarver is the No. 6 prospect from the state of Missouri according to the 247Sports Composite rankings, and is the highest-ranked prospect in the Illinois Class of 2021.

Wisecarver chose Illinois over several other power-five offers, including West Virginia, and will enroll at Illinois next month.

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“Illinois believes in me and I believe in Illinois,” Wisecarver said in a message to the Illini Inquirer. “I am excited to sign on Wednesday and look forward to the future! It is an exciting time. Honored to be a part of it. …I am excited to be there in January.”

According to further reports by the Illini Inquirer, the remaining Illinois staff talked with the 14 current commitments on Monday to reaffirm that they would honor their commitments.