I’m catching up on the Illini news after the holiday break. The coaching staff has been doing their due diligence in their recruiting duties. Last month, they have signed a total of eight players to a National Letters of Intent.
The pipeline from Canada continues. That’s Parker Burgess from Douro-Dummer, Ontario above. Yes, he also played hockey too.
Three of the eight signees were from Ontario. I know we have nothing but success from the athletes that have come from up north.
Here are the Class of 2023
Liam Adamson / RHP
6-0 / 190 / R-R
London, Ontario, Canada / Oakridge Secondary School
Parker Burgess / RHP
6-4 / 200 / R-R
Douro-Dummer, Ontario, Canada / St. Peter’s Catholic Secondary School
Cameron Chee-Aloy / OF
5-11 / 180 / R-R
Toronto, Ontario, Canada / Neil McNeil High School
Regan Hall / LHP
6-0 / 180 / L-L
Albuquerque, N.M. / Volcano Vista High School
Aden O’Donnell / RHP
6-2 / 195 / R-R
Bettendorf, Iowa / Pleasant Valley High School
Reagan Reeder / INF-OF-RHP
6-5 / 215 / R-R
Anoka, Minn. / Anoka High School
Vytas Valincius / INF
6-4 / 230 / R-R
Lockport, Ill. / South Carolina / Baylor High School (TN)
Jake Zitella / INF
5-11 / 192 / R-R
West Chicago, Ill. / St. Charles East High School
As I read their bios on FightingIllini.com, I sense they are a solid class indeed. Not only do they have the numbers and the accolades but they have been (unsuccessfully) recruited by other strong schools too.
Coach Hartleb had glowing remarks about the Class of 2023:
“I’m extremely excited about this class and the athleticism they bring as a whole. We have good arms that are great athletes. We have players that have good hit ability and power that are good athletes. When you get athletes in the program and on the field, they can make adjustments easier, faster and better. It’s just a great group.”
Welcome to the Illini Nation!
Really looking to next spring, go Illini.