HUNTLEY — When defensive end Olalere Oladipo signs with Illinois football on Feb. 1, two staffs will deserve credit.
The 6-foot-4, 235-pounder, rated a three-star recruit by Rivals.com, received his initial offer from Bill Cubit. Lovie Smith continued the recruitment.
“Illinois offered him first, and that always says a lot,” Huntley coach Matt Zimolzak said. “A lot of the other schools all followed Illinois.”
Oladipo, who goes by Lere, made his commitment to Smith in late August.
“He was really excited about Lovie coming in,” Zimolzak said.
Illinois linebackers coach Tim McGarigle, a holdover from Cubit’s staff, was the assistant responsible for recruiting Oladipo.