The Fighting Illini have added another defensive back, in their 2023 recruiting cycle. With the DB being a position of need. Especially after the 2022 season ends. The Illini defensive staff is working hard to fortify the position group for the future. The Illini staff have flipped three-star defensive back Zachary Tobe from UNC. On Friday evening there were rumors surfacing that Tobe was on the verge of decommiting. On Saturday morning the rumors were confirmed. Making Tobe the 15th commit to the Illini in the 2023 recruiting cycle, making him the third highest-rated commit in the class.
Surprise 😁 https://t.co/n1oS8KSN2j
— Zachary Tobe (@OZtobe) August 6, 2022
Tobe released the following via USAToday.com :
Honestly, this decision did not come easy. It took a lot of thinking and time to figure out what the best decision for me is.
Committing is fun and cool, but you also have to sit down and figure out that you have to live there and be there for four years. I knew I would be doing myself a disservice if I didn’t make the right choice for me.
I’m very appreciative to the University of North Carolina staff and all they did for me from when they offered me in January. They became like family to me. They didn’t treat me wrong or anything like that, this is just me doing what is best for me. It didn’t have to do with the school or the coaching staff or anything like that. Having said that, I’m officially decommitting from the University of North Carolina.
Why this is so important
With the Illini losing several defensive backs after the 2022 season. There is a need to build depth at the position. With senior leaders Sydney Brown and Quan Martin departing at the end of 2022. Other departing defensive backs include Kendall Smith and grad transfer Terrell Jennings. As well as the possibility of NFL prospect Devon Witherspoon leaving for the 2023 NFL Draft. Mention of senior special teams standout Talion Leitzsey (Wuerffel Trophy watch list) should be noted as well.
Who are the Illini adding
The Illini added five scholarship defensive backs in the 2022 cycle.
Three-star defensive backs Elijah Mc-Cantos, Xavier Scott, TJ Griffin, Matthew Bailey, and transfer sophomore Solomon Turner according to 247/sports.com.
To this point in the 2023 cycle, the Illini have added verbal commits from:
Three-star DBs Kenari Wilcher, Zachary Tobe, and Jaheim Clarke are all from Florida. While Defensive Coordinator/ Safties coach Ryan Walters is heavily recruiting coveted in-state, 4-star defenderJyaire Hill and three-star New Jersey DB Saboor Karriem.
According to Ryan Easterling of IlliniInquirer,
Tobe has enough versatility that he could probably line up either at the corner or at safety at the college level. Naturally, I think he fits best as a free safety where he can use his recognition, reaction, and range to make plays as a center-fielder of sorts.
Defensive back Zachary Tobe, while not ultra-physical as a defender, is athletic and rangy. But his awareness and play recognition are what stand out the most on his tape, and those traits allow him to make frequent plays on the ball that impact the game and can turn the momentum in a hurry.
Past Illini story: Five ILLINI Defensive Veterans look to continue success in 2022
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