ANDERSON KIMBALL
CHAMPAIGN — Illinois got its second commit in the 2023 recruiting class from East St. Louis three-star linebacker Antwon Hayden on Tuesday.
Hayden had 117 tackles and five sacks for the Flyers in their Illinois Class 6A runner up season as a junior.
He’s the 14th ranked player in Illinois according to 247sports and gives the Illinois two of the state’s top-15 players with Arthur’s Kaden Feagin, the state’s third ranked prospect.
Illinois was the first Power 5 school to offer Hayden, who chose the Illini over other FBS offers from Arkansas State and Buffalo among others.
18 pics: Illinois rolls over Northwestern
Northwestern Illinois Football
Illinois linebacker Tarique Barnes (44) causes Northwestern quarterback Andrew Marty to fumble during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Charles Rex Arbogast
Northwestern Illinois Football
Northwestern quarterback Andrew Marty (7) dives to recover his fumble as offensive lineman Charlie Schmidt assists during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Charles Rex Arbogast
Northwestern Illinois Football
Illinois ‘s Brandon Peters assists during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Northwestern Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Charles Rex Arbogast
Northwestern Illinois Football
Illinois defensive back Jartavius Martin (21) incepts a pass intended for Northwestern wide receiver Will Lansbury during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Charles Rex Arbogast
Northwestern Illinois Football
Illinois wide receiver Isaiah Williams catches a touchdown pass from Brandon Peters during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Northwestern Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Charles Rex Arbogast
Northwestern Illinois Football
Illinois wide receiver Isaiah Williams (1) celebrates his touchdown with Casey Washington during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Northwestern Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Charles Rex Arbogast
Northwestern Illinois Football
Illinois tight end Daniel Barker scores past Northwestern linebacker Peter McIntyre during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Charles Rex Arbogast
Northwestern Illinois Football
Northwestern running back Evan Hull (26) carries the ball past a block from offensive lineman Peter Skoronski during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Illinois Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Charles Rex Arbogast
Northwestern Illinois Football
Northwestern running back Andrew Clair (11) tries to stiff arm Illinois linebacker Tarique Barnes during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Charles Rex Arbogast
Northwestern Illinois Football
Illinois quarterback Brandon Peters looks over the line of scrimmage during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Northwestern Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Charles Rex Arbogast
Northwestern Illinois Football
Northwestern quarterback Andrew Marty reaches for his fumble during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Illinois Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Charles Rex Arbogast
Northwestern Illinois Football
Northwestern wide receiver Jacob Gill (19) advances the ball after a reception from quarterback Ryan Hilinski as Illinois defensive back Kerby Joseph defends during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Charles Rex Arbogast
Northwestern Illinois Football
Illinois offensive lineman Doug Kramer puts the Land Of Lincoln trophy on his head after his team’s 47-14 win over Northwestern in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Charles Rex Arbogast
Northwestern Illinois Football
Illinois defensive players recover a fumble by Northwestern quarterback Andrew Marty during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Charles Rex Arbogast
Northwestern Illinois Football
Illinois celebrates with the Land Of Lincoln trophy after the team’s 47-14 win over Northwestern in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Charles Rex Arbogast
Northwestern Illinois Football
Northwestern quarterback Ryan Hilinski carries the ball during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Illinois Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. Illinois won 47-14. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Charles Rex Arbogast
Northwestern Illinois Football
Northwestern running back Evan Hull scores during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Illinois Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. Illinois won 47-14. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Charles Rex Arbogast
Northwestern Illinois Football
Northwestern quarterback Ryan Hilinski pitches the ball to running back Evan Hull during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Illinois Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. Illinois won 47-14. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Charles Rex Arbogast
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