CHAMPAIGN — Bennett Konkey’s incredible rise as a prospect in the Class of 2027 has seen the Geneva standout go from zero scholarship offers until mid-April to four-star status and a slew of interested Power Four teams in a span of two months.
Illinois was one of the first power-conference programs to offer Konkey. That pursuit paid off Tuesday with a commitment from the 6-foot-1, 180-pound wide receiver. Konkey chose the Illini from a final four that also included Iowa, Iowa State and Northwestern.
It turned into a double-commitment day for Illinois later Tuesday with St. Petersburg Gibbs (Fla.) standout Steven Alexis flipping from Colorado. The three-star running back was only committed to the Buffaloes for nine days before changing his mind.
Konkey put together an impressive two seasons as a sophomore and junior at Geneva. He caught 29 passes for 548 yards and six touchdowns in 2024 and followed that up with 41 catches for 739 yards and nine touchdowns last fall for the 4-5 Vikings.
His junior year also included a pair of state championships on the track last month, as he swept the Class 3A 100- and 200-meter dashes in Charleston to claim Geneva’s first ever state track titles.
“First and foremost, I want to thank my parents for their endless support and the countless sacrifices they’ve made throughout my football journey,” Konkey posted to social media on Tuesday afternoon. “From driving me to practices, games, camps and workouts to believing in me through every high and low, I wouldn’t be where I am today without them. Their love, encouragement and commitment have allowed me to chase my dreams, and I’m forever grateful.
“I also want to thank my coaches at Geneva for believing in me and standing by my side through every challenge and every success. To the coaches at Midwest BOOM, thank you for the opportunity and for having faith in me from the very beginning. Your support has played a huge role in helping me reach this point.
“I’m fired up to announce my commitment to the University of Illinois to continue my academic and football career!”
Alexis had an impressive 2025 season at Gibbs. The 6-foot, 203-pound running back finished his junior year with 124 carries for 1,113 yards and nine touchdowns for the 4-7 Gladiators.
Tuesday’s commitments brings Illinois’ total to 11 in the Class of 2027, including six from Illinois. Konkey joins a group of in-state recruits that includes Evanston cornerback Justin Johnson, Lincoln-Way East offensive lineman Mason Halliman, Morton offensive lineman Soren Fifer, St. Laurence linebacker Sean Rice and Montini offensive lineman Gavin Ericson-Staton.
The other five are recruits from some typical Illinois recruiting hot spots and a burgeoning pipeline in Iowa. In addition to Alexis, the Illini’s out-of-state haul includes Central DeWitt (Iowa) defensive lineman Ryan Paulsen, Brandon (Miss.) quarterback Sladen Shack, Ankeny Centennial (Iowa) tight end Cade Newman and La Marque (Texas) linebacker Anthony James Jr.
The addition of Konkey gives Illinois a pair of four-star prospects in the class. Johnson is also ranked as a four-star recruit by 247Sports. The Illini’s class still ranks 18th in the Big Ten, but has moved to 55th nationally. Illinois’ 2027 class remains the smallest, to date, in the Big Ten and is tied for 14th in average recruiting ranking.
Scott Richey covers college basketball for The News-Gazette. His email is srichey@news-gazette.com, and you can follow him on Twitter (@srrichey).
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