Infielder Jackson Raper has signed a national letter of intent to play for the Illini. Jackson will be joining as a graduate transfer from Catawba College in Salisbury, North Carolina. He will have one year of eligibility beginning in 2021.
Jackson played in 22 games at Division II Catawba this season and certainly made the most of it. He batted .436 with nine homeruns and 35 rbis!
Word has it that Coach Adam Christ was the key in landing Raper as a recruit. Illinois head Coach Dan Hartleb gave Christ due credit:
Jackson is an outstanding student and person. His baseball skills and leadership give us another high quality left-handed hitting infielder. His communication skills and leadership qualities impressed me the first time I had the opportunity to talk with him.
Adam Christ did an outstanding job of identifying and recruiting another high quality student-athlete.
Jackson spoke to the folks at WCIA News about his recent signing.
Welcome to the Illini Nation, Jackson!