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Three-star tight end Grant Smith, from Maroa-Forsyth High School in Illinois, committed to Illinois' 2025 class on Monday evening. He was initially committed to Illinois State before flipping to Bret Bielema's Fighting Illini.
Smith earned an offer from Illinois on Sept. 12 and gave his pledge to the program within a week. He announced his commitment news on X, tagging multiple Illinois front-office members, including Bielema, special teams coordinator/tight ends coach Robby Discher, offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. and general manager Pat Embleton:
"COMMITTED!!!🔵🟠#ILL #famILLy @IlliniFootball @BretBielema @RobbyDischer @BarryLunneyJr @CoachEmbleton @MTFFootball."
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Smith has been an integral player for Maroa-Forsyth, helping the team reach the semifinals of the Class 2A state playoffs last season.
He has continued to impress this season as well, ranking as the third-leading receiver for his team. In three games, the tight end has recorded eight receptions for 144 yards and four touchdowns.
The 6-foot-5, 220-pound prospect had offers from Southern Illinois, Butler, Eastern Illinois, Grand Valley State, Ball State and Western Illinois.
Grant Smith is ranked by 247 Sports as the No. 112 tight end in the 2025 class and the No. 55 prospect in Illinois. ESPN lists him as the nation's No. 59 tight end in the class and the No. 43 prospect in the state.
Illinois 2025 class update following Grant Smith's commitment
Illinois has 14 committed players in the 2025 class, which ranks No. 60 in the nation, according to On3 team ranking. Grant Smith is the first tight end prospect for the cycle.
Smith joins a group of four in-state commitments, including wide receiver Brayden Trimble from Mount Zion, interior offensive lineman Michael McDonough from Andrew and athlete Andre Lovett from Blue Island Eisenhower. Smith and Trimble both hail from Macon County.
Illinois is also actively targeting other tight ends for the 2025 class, including three-star prospect Logan Farrell, an Illinois native who has committed to the North Carolina Tar Heels.
Other tight ends from the class to receive offers from the program are Linkon Cure, Joeseph Skipworth, DaSaahn Brame, James Flanigan, Marshall Pritchett, Caden Piening, Logan Farrell, Brock Schott and Luka Gilbert, among others.
