Illinois lands two 2025 commitments

CHAMPAIGN — Illinois closed out the month of June with two final additions to the Class of 2024 after three-star running back Cedric Wyche II and three-star cornerback Robert Jones III both committed Saturday.

Wyche and Jones were part of a Florida-heavy group of official visitors the weekend prior and became the second and third commitments for the Illini from the Sunshine State in the Class of 2025. The first was three-star defensive back Xanai Scott, the younger brother of Illinois junior Xavier Scott.

Wyche will play his senior season at Florida powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas after transferring from Cardinal Gibbons, which is also in Fort Lauderdale. The 5-foot-10, 195-pound running back filled a versatile role for the Chiefs last season. Wyche was utilized in the running game and passing game and also returned kicks. He rushed 63 times for 470 yards and six touchdowns, caught 14 passes for 260 yards and three scores and had two kick return touchdowns in Cardinal Gibbons' run to the quarterfinals of the FHSAA Class 2M playoffs.

Wyche is a consensus three-star recruit. He had a dozen other power conference offers from Big Ten, SEC, ACC and Big 12 programs, but only took one other official visit to Boston College.

Jones, who committed to and decommitted from North Carolina State in June, picked Illinois from a top two that also included Central Florida. An injury sidelined Jones part of last season at Vero Beach (Fla.), but he still had 19 tackles and two interceptions after playing just six games for the 9-3 team.