Illinois State signed 13 players to its roster in Wednesday’s National Signing Day. (Photo by Barry Bottino)

Editor’s note: This is one part of a four-part series on December signees by Illinois FCS programs.

Illinois State announced the signing of 13 players — but none from the transfer portal — during Wednesday’s National Signing Day.

The Redbirds’ recruiting class has a definite Midwest flavor, coming from five states, two of which border Illinois.

Following a four-win season marred by a sluggish offense, head coach Brock Spack’s Redbirds brought in seven players on that side of the ball. In addition, ISU labeled two of its recruits as “athletes”.

“We hit on some pretty good offensive players that we think will add some needed size up front and speed on that side of the ball,” Spack said in a release. “We also addressed some key depth spots on defense including the defensive line and added a pair of quality safeties in this class.

“Overall, I feel like we got better in crucial spots and feel good about where we are at right now.”

Quotable

“We will continue to look for impact players in this next phase as we carry over to the February signing period. It’s a juggling act when you add in looking for players in the transfer portal, but we know which areas we are still looking to improve and are in great shape with these early signees today.”

—Brock Spack

Where are they from?

Five of the players signed are homegrown from Illinois. Those signees played at the following high schools: Durand, Evanston, Mt. Zion, Rock Island (by way of an Iowa junior college) and Normal West.

Three players hail from Indiana, a state that the Redbirds have recruited well under Spack.

Two signees are from Wisconsin. One recruit comes from Minnesota; another is from Ohio.

Wide receiver David Connors, Jr. comes from Minneapolis, which is the farthest away from Normal in the class at 458 miles.

Meanwhile, tight end Max Ziebarth, who attended Normal West High School, grew up in Hudson, Ill, just 6.8 miles from Normal.

What positions do they play?

Along with three offensive linemen, the Redbirds added two tight ends and one running backs and one wide receiver.

The two players labeled as athletes could play a variety of positions ranging from running back to receiver to cornerback to safety. In addition, those signees usually figure into special teams.

ISU did not bring in any quarterbacks, though the Redbirds did sign a promising pair from the prep ranks a year ago in Timmy Dorsey (Olathe, Kan., Bishop Miege HS) and Tommy Rittenhouse (Geneva, Ill., St. Francis HS).

Bryce Jefferson, who started the majority of ISU games when not sidelined with injury this fall, entered the transfer portal recently.

What accomplishments do they bring?

Durand High School product and defensive end Jake Anderson led his conference in sacks . . . defensive back Dallas Brown helped East St. Louis to a second-place finish in the state championship and a No. 35 national ranking . . . receiver David Connors, Jr. averaged 22.3 yards per catch . . . Leo (Ind.) senior Rylan Crawford earned all-state honors . . . running back Lavarion Logan led the state of Indiana with 2,256 rushing yards and scored 38 touchdowns on the ground . . . offensive lineman Kobe Rios helped Iowa Western Community College to a conference and regional championship and his team advanced to the NJCAA National Championship game . . . tight end Max Ziebarth was named an IHSFCA Class 6A First-Team All-State selection.

Later Today: Southern Illinois

Tomorrow: Eastern Illinois