Illinois adds two to 2027 recruiting class – The News-Gazette

CHAMPAIGN — Illinois’ first of three important June recruiting weekends has already yielded a pair of commitments in the Class of 2027.

The Illini secured a commitment from Ankeny Centennial (Iowa) tight end Cade Newman on Saturday night and flipped Montini offensive lineman Gavin Ericson-Staton from Iowa State on Sunday afternoon. Those moves gives Illinois six total commitments in the 2027 class.

Newman is the second tight end credited to newly-hired tight ends coach Jared Elliott, who also brought in junior college transfer BJ Thurman for the 2026 season. The 6-foot-5, 220-pound Newman is ranked as a three-star prospect and is a top 20 recruit in Iowa, per 247Sports. He chose the Illini from a group of offers that included Iowa State and Wake Forest and then mostly Group of Five or FCS programs.

Iowa State secured Ericson-Staton’s first commitment in April. Illinois came in with an offer a month later and quickly lined up this weekend’s visit. The three-star recruit had other Power Four offers from Kansas State, Minnesota, Missouri and Oklahoma State.

Ericson-Staton is the fifth in-state commitment for Illinois in the Class of 2027. The others include Lincoln-Way East offensive lineman Mason Halliman, Evanston cornerback Justin Johnson, Morton offensive lineman Soren Fifer and St. Laurence linebacker Sean Rice.

Illinois’ six-man 2027 recruiting class currently ranks last in the Big Ten, according to 247Sports, and 60th nationally. The Illini are set to host seven more uncommitted prospects and two potential flip candidates during the next two weekends.