Illinois football is off to a 6-1 start to the 2022 season, and the Illini are capitalizing on that hot stretch on the recruiting trail.

Monday morning, Bret Bielema and Illinois received a commitment from Alex Bray. Bray is a 6-foot-4 and 250 lb. Edge prospect out of Marquette Senior High School in Chesterfield, Missouri.

Bray particularly noted the chances to play for a Top 25 program in the B1G while also remaining close to home for college.

Bray has gone unrated by the composite rankings but checks in as a 3-star prospect and No. 145 Edge player in the country by 247 Sports. He becomes the 18th verbal commitment to Illinois for the class of 2023.

Illinois offered Bray on Oct. 17, and — one week later — Bray has made his decision.