<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1wPx4z_0vYlRQuo00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1wPx4z_0vYlRQuo00" width="1200" height="628" >Maroa-Forsyth tight end <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/Grant-Smith-46149915">Grant Smith</a> has flipped his commitment from one nearby Division-I program to another. After receiving a scholarship offer from <a href="https://247sports.com/college/illinois/">Illinois</a> on Thursday, the 6-foot-5, 225-pound three-star prospect flipped his commitment from <a href="https://247sports.com/college/illinois-state/">Illinois State</a> to the Illini on Monday. Smith also has received interest lately from Iowa, Northwestern, Indiana and Kansas, among other FBS programs.<ul><li>Smith took an unofficial visit to Illinois for its 23-17 upset win over Kansas last Saturday at Memorial Stadium.</li><li>247Sports ranks Smith the No. 55 prospect in the state of Illinois and No. 112 tight end in the Class of 2025.</li><li>Smith has eight receptions for 144 yards and four touchdowns through the first three games of his senior season.</li><li>Illinois tight ends coach <a href="https://247sports.com/coach/Robby-Discher-3665">Robby Discher</a> is leading the Illini's pursuit of Smith.</li></ul>Why it matters: The Illini continue to prioritize central Illinois prospects under <a href="https://247sports.com/Coach/bret-bielema-137/">Bret Bielema</a>. Keeping the top Chicago and Metro East prospects from leaving the state can be difficult, but Bielema's staff has done a great job of keeping talent from its own backyard and has had a pretty good hit rate so far with <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/kaden-feagin-46114835/">Kaden Feagin</a>, <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/Matthew-Bailey-46116828">Matthew Bailey</a>, <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/aidan-laughery-46103029/">Aidan Laughery</a>, <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/mac-resetich-46139151/">Mac Resetich</a> and <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/hank-beatty-46098938/">Hank Beatty</a> all playing contributing roles early in their careers. Illinois also has a commitment from three-star Mount Zion wide receiver <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/brayden-trimble-46142486/">Brayden Trimble</a>, who picked the Illini over several Power Four offers.Smith said of Illinois' interest: "My grandpa is a die-hard Illini fan. I love it. I've grown up in the area most of my life. I've been here since I was a little kid. It'd be nice to wear orange."They love what I have to offer. They want me here. It's all a matter of time. …It's rough when they had their tight end [<a href="https://247sports.com/Player/cole-rusk-46098468/">Cole Rusk</a>] get hurt, but I'm still seeing good things out of their non-starter guys. They're still doing good."How he fits: Smith is the first tight end commitment in the Illini's Class of 2025 who fits the Illini's desire to become more dynamic in the passing game at the position. He has good length (80-inch wingspan), big hands (10 inches), good speed and athleticism for the position, and he is a very comfortable pass catcher. He'll need to add strength, but he is an intriguing long-term prospect He also shows on tape to be a willing blocker, and he is a physical player on defense, so he does have the potential to be a versatile tight end. And coming from a program like Maroa-Forsyth, it's a pretty great bet that he has been well-coached.Go VIP for 30% OFF your first year!: Join the No. 1 source on Illinois athletics and recruiting with our <a href="https://247sports.com/college/illinois/join/?promo=JOIN">latest great offer</a>! Get market-leading, professional coverage of Illini sports for 30% OFF your first year! That's just $6.27 per month for your first year of VIP membership, more than $40 of savings for the most comprehensive coverage of your favorite teams! There is no promo code required for the offer, just <a href="https://247sports.com/college/illinois/join/?promo=JOIN">HIT THIS LINK</a>, sign up for the annual membership and you're good to go!</div></body>

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COMMIT: Illini flip three-star Maroa-Forsyth TE Grant Smith

Maroa-Forsyth tight end Grant Smith has flipped his commitment from one nearby Division-I program to another. After receiving a scholarship offer from Illinois on Thursday, the 6-foot-5, 225-pound three-star prospect flipped his commitment from Illinois State to the Illini on Monday. Smith also has received interest lately from Iowa, Northwestern, Indiana and Kansas, among other FBS programs.

COMMIT: Illini flip three-star Maroa-Forsyth TE Grant Smith

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