The Lovie Effect has struck the recruiting front for the Illini in 2017.
According to Jeremy Werner of Scout, wide receivers Kendall Smith and Ricky Smalling have committed to play football for the Illini two seasons from now.
Smith is a 3-star wide receiver from Bolingbrook, Illinois according to Rivals. He is also rated as the 14th best player in the state of Illinois.
Smith had 11 scholarship offers that included a great deal of MAC schools and Illinois. He is flying under the radar and now the Illini snagged a good one.