Rockford Auburn three-star ranked offensive tackle Vederian Lowe (6-foot-5, 310 pounds) took part in today's Illinois Fighting Illini Big man camp and left campus this evening verbally committed to the Fighting Illini.
"I really like Illinois and I feel like it would be a a great fit for me," Lowe said. "The coaching staff is great and I loved working with (Offensive Line Coach Luke Butkus)."
Lowe, who was originally offered a scholarship by Illinois under former head coach Tim Beckman, was re-offered a scholarship by new Illini head coach Lovie Smith earlier this spring. Lowe has been tearing up various summer college camps so far, so why pledge to the Fighting Illini today?
"I just felt it was time," Lowe said. "Coach Smith said that he really liked me and it just felt like the right thing to do. It feels good to have made the commitment."
Lowe is now the fifth overall known commitment and the fourth in-state commitment for the Fighting Illini. Lowe joins Marian Catholic QB Cameron Thomas, Brother Rice WR Ricky Smalling and Bolingbrook ATH Kendall Smith as in-state pledges to the Class of 2017.