The Illinois baseball team signed nine highly-rated recruits Wednesday, seven from high schools and two junior college transfers. The Fighting Illini singed five of the top-25 recruits in Illinois according to Prep Baseball Report.
Official recruiting ranks will not be released until student-athletes report to campus next fall.
6-foot-4 right handed pitcher Jack Crowder from Plainfield East High School is the no. 2 right-handed pitcher in Illinois by Perfect Game and No. 3 by Prep Baseball Report, the no. 35 right-handed pitcher in the nation by Perfect Game and No. 77 by Prep Baseball Report, the no. 4 recruit in Illinois by Perfect Game and No. 8 by Prep Baseball Report and the no. 135 recruit in the nation by Perfect Game and No. 236 by Prep Baseball Report.
5-11 infielder Cal Hejza from Oswego is the no. 6 shortstop in Illinois by Perfect Game and No. 9 by Prep Baseball Report, the no. 22 recruit in Illinois by Perfect Game and No. 33 by Prep Baseball Report and a top 500 recruit in the nation by Perfect Game.
Payton Hutchings is a 5-foot-11 left handed pitcher from Coal City and is the no. 1 left-handed pitcher in Illinois by Prep Baseball Report and No. 5 by Perfect Game, the no. 45 left-handed pitcher in the nation by Prep Baseball Report and No. 117 by Perfect Game, the no. 12 recruit in Illinois by Prep Baseball Report and No. 39 by Perfect Game and 422nd ranked overall recruit in the nation by Prep Baseball Report.
Clayton Johnson is a towering 6-foot-8 right hander from Prophetstown. He's the no. 4 right-handed pitcher in Illinois by Prep Baseball Report and No. 10 by Perfect Game, no. 11 recruit in Illinois by Prep Baseball Report and No. 23 by Perfect Game, the no. 414 recruit in the nation by Prep Baseball Report, the no. 136 right-handed pitcher in the nation by Prep Baseball Report and a top 500 recruit in the nation by Perfect Game.
6-foot-3 outfielder Tom Jurack from Hinsdale Central High School is the no. 4 outfielder in Illinois by Perfect Game and No. 8 by Prep Baseball Report, the no. 157 outfielder in the nation by Perfect Game, no. 25 recruit in Illinois by Perfect Game and No. 56 by Prep Baseball Report and a top 500 recruit in the nation by Perfect Game.
Champaign Central outfielder Connor Milton ranks as the fourth overall outfielder in Illinois by Prep Baseball Report, the no. 74 outfielder in the nation by Prep Baseball Report, no. 14 recruit in Illinois by Prep Baseball Report, and no. 441 recruit in the nation by Prep Baseball Report.
Jersey Community product Tucker Shalley is the no. 7 right-handed pitcher in Illinois by Prep Baseball Report and No. 13 by Perfect Game, the no. 341 right-handed pitcher in the nation by Perfect Game, the 24th overall recruit in Illinois by Prep Baseball Report and No. 31 by Perfect Game and a top 500 recruit in the nation by Perfect Game.
The Illini also received letters of intent from Ryan Hampe (C) and Andrew Hoffmann (RHP) from John A. Logan CC.
