CHAMPAIGN — Lovie Smith has a major building block to build his 2019 recruiting class on during the next 11 months. Illinois picked up its first prospect in the 2019 class Saturday afternoon with a commitment from four-star athlete Marquez Beason.
Beason is a four-star recruit per both 247Sports and Rivals and ranked No. 54 and No. 78, respectively, by the two recruiting services. Listed as a wide receiver/cornerback by 247Sports and an athlete by Rivals, Beason is Smith's highest-ranked commit since taking the Illinois job two years ago this month.
Beason had narrowed his list to a top four of Illinois, Ohio State, LSU and Texas A&M on Feb.