Massive Recruiting Win - Illinois Football Keeping In-State Talent Home - Mt. Zion WR Brayden Trimble Commits

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

May 20, 2024

Scott Dochterman, a staff writer for The Athletic covering the Iowa Hawkeyes, appeared on WDWS this past weekend. Dochterman told hosts Steve Kelly and Loren Tate, "I've always thought of Illinois as the sleeping giant of the Big Ten. With all the recruiting resources from Chicago, down-state, and the middle of the state."

Illinois head football coach Bret Bielema said when he got the job, the plan was to recruit the state of Illinois first and make a difference. Today, Illinois received a commitment from highly touted wide receiver Brayden Trimble from Mt. Zion.

The 6-foot-2, 170-pound three-star 2025 recruit picked the Illini over Auburn, Iowa, Iowa State, Minnesota, Ole Miss, Nebraska, Northwestern, and Michigan.

Early this afternoon on X, Trimble made his announcement public, saying, "First, I want to thank God for putting me in this position I am today. I am thankful for all the coaches who have spent time believing in me in this recruitment process, and I want to thank my family and friends for sticking with me during this whole process, especially thankful for my parents taking time off on many things to take me around the country to see many schools. With all that being said, I am very excited to say I am committing to the University of Illinois, I-L-L."

This commitment is significant for wide receivers coach Justin Stepp. Illinois was also able to keep Chicago Simeon's wideout Malik Elzy home, who also had multiple big-time offers.

During his sophomore season, Trimble recorded 76 receptions for 1,134 yards and 12 touchdowns. Last year, in his junior campaign, he amassed 69 receptions for 981 yards and another 12 touchdowns.

Follow me on Twitter @KedPrince4 

email: KedIlliniGuys@gmail.com

Podcasts

Illini Hoops & Football Schedules, Illini HOF Voting & More - 6.6.25 - S4Ep43

Listen

FB Portal Thoughts, Expectations, BB Update & for the 1st Time in My Life...#483

Listen

May 30 - Hr2 - S4Ep42 - Illini Recruiting, NBA Draft, Caitlin Clark & More

Listen

May 30 - Hr1 - S4Ep42 - FB & BB Contracts, FB & Golf Update & Brian Barnhart

Listen

May 23 - Hr2 - S4Ep41 - French Open, Indiana Pro Hoops & Softball

Listen

May 23 - Hr1 - S4Ep41 - Illini FB Recruiting, Golf and Track

Listen

High School Recruiting Takes the Spotlight - #482

Listen

May 16 - Hr2 - S4Ep40 - Chicago Sky, ACC Issues & Northwestern Stadium

Listen

May 16 - Hr1 - S4Ep40 - Coaching Contracts, NBA Draft, Football & Golf Updates

Listen

Bielema and Underwood Earn Contract Extensions - #481

Listen

May 9 - Hr2 - S4Ep39 - Saban, Podziemski & White Sox Struggles

Listen

May 9 - Hr1 - S4Ep39 - Illini Golf, Adkins Golf Club & Illini Recruit JC Anderson

Listen

May 2 - Hr2 - S4Ep38 - Kentucky Derby and NFL Draft Wrap

Listen

May 2 - Hr1 - S4Ep38 - Stojakovic Selects Illinois

Listen

Andrej Stojakovic Selects the Fighting Illini - #480

Listen