CHAMPAIGN — A big-time talent is coming home to boost Illinois football.
Former Miami and East St. Louis wide receiver Jeff Thomas, the 2016 News-Gazette's All-State Player of the Year, has signed his Big Ten Tender of Financial Aid and plans to enroll at Illinois this season, Illini coach Lovie Smith announced Friday.
"Jeff Thomas is an elite-level football player who we expect to make an immediate impact with the Fighting Illini program," Smith said in a statement. "We know he is excited to return to his home state.
"We recruited Jeff extremely hard out of high school, and when he contacted us about the possibility of returning home, we were immediately interested in making his wishes come true.