While it has been a busy time for seniors to be making their commitment with the early signing period almost upon us, one sophomore has also just announced his commitment on Friday. Morez Johnson, a 6’8” forward of St. Rita High School in Chicago and the Meanstreets, made his commitment to University of Illinois and head coach Brad Underwood. 

In his commitment post, Johnson wrote “First, I want to thank all the college coaches and programs that have taken time to build relationships with me and recruit me up to this point…I want to thank Coach Brad Underwood, Tim Anderson, and the entire Illini staff for believing in me. It has always been a dream of mine to represent my hometown. With that being said, I am committing to the University of Illinois! I am 100% committed…I’ve visited more than a few high level programs, but the feeling I got when I put on the Illinois jersey was like no other. It’s about winning, development and culture. This is home. Let’s go Illini Nation!” 

This commitment marks a large recruiting coup for the Illini as Johnson has all the upside and tools to be a top twenty-five player nationally. With his size, athleticism, advanced skill set, and mobility, the forward was able to attract plenty of offers from some prominent college programs across the country. Johnson picked in-state Illinois over his other offers from Florida, Iowa, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, and Texas. 

Johnson is just one a few 2024 recruits nationally to have made a verbal commitment already. This marks a milestone commitment for Underwood and staff who have continued to bring in talented recruiting classes. Though Johnson may end being the staffs highest rated recruit by the time he steps afoot campus.