Illinois adds Memphis LB to 2019 recruiting class
Illinois’ 2019 recruiting class got a new member of Monday afternoon, as a three-star linebacker joined Lovie Smith and Co.
Tarique Barnes, a three-star linebacker out of Memphis, Tenn., announced via Twitter that he would be committing to Illinois. He becomes the 13th member of the Illini’s 2019 recruiting class.
“I’m proud to announce that I will be committing to the University of Illinois,” Barnes said in a Twitter message.
Committed ✅ pic.twitter.com/uooBL0mFqD
— 🦍 (@TariqueBarnes25) January 28, 2019
In addition to Illinois, Barnes also had offers from Arkansas, Missouri and Mississippi State.
Barnes is the second player to commit to Illinois since the end of the Early Signing Period. The other was four-star linebacker Shammond Cooper, who committed at the Under Armour All-America Bowl.
Barnes and Cooper are the only two players in Illinois’ class who have not signed their National Letter of Intent.
Illinois now owns the No. 57-ranked class for 2019, and also sits at 12th in the B1G.