March 18, 2017, Illinois decides to tab Underwood as the next head coach of the Illini after letting go John Groce. Whatever happened with the class of 2017 during that time, good or bad, I can’t put on the shoulders of Underwood.
Illinois had two players de-commit and go to different programs. The big commitment they did sign after Underwood was hired, Mark Smith, has now transferred out of the program. The one in-state player that the Illini were able to get and is still with the team is Da’Monte Williams. Watch out for Monte this season as the coaching staff seems excited about his potential.