Recruiting never stops. Just five days after signing its 2017 recruiting class, NIU and head coach Rod Carey added its first known verbal commitment to the Huskies' 2018 class.
Danville junior offensive tackle recruit Julian Pearl (6-foot-7, 245 pounds) made a recent unofficial visit last week to NIU and earlier today gave the Huskies his early verbal commitment.
"I committed to NIU earlier today," Pearl said. "I just really felt comfortable at NIU when I visited with my mom last week. The more I thought about it the more I was ready. NIU feels like a great fit."
Pearl, a multi-sport athlete at Danville was offered by NIU as an offensive tackle recruit in the Class of 2018.
"NIU likes me as an offensive tackle," Danville said. "They feel like I will be able to add more weight and size. NIU also likes my mobility and quickness and feel that my future will be on the offensive line in college."
Pearl is the first known verbal commitment to the NIU Huskies Class of 2018.