Champaign, Ill. - Illinois men's gymnastics head coach Justin Spring announced the signing of four gymnasts to National Letters of Intent on Friday. The newest additions to the Illini program are Alex Diab, Johnny Jacobson, Blake Martin and Austin Lober. All four student athletes will begin their collegiate careers during the 2015-16 school year.

Spring uses the words "driven" and "talented" to describe this year's signing class. He continued to say, "You can have talent with no drive and you'll get nothing. You can have drive but no talent and you won't get to that level. They have the talent, initiative and that drive; it's a great combination."

ALEX DIAB // GLEN ELLYN, ILLINOIS // GLENBARD WEST H.S. // PREMIER GYMNASTICS ACADEMY

Alex Diab has been a member of the National Team from 2011-12 and 2014-15. At the 2014 Junior Olympic Nationals Diab took first on the still rings, second on floor and sixth in the all-around competition. Two years prior at the Junior Olympic Nationals the Glen Ellyn, Illinois native grabbed second place on the floor, third on still rings and seventh in the all-around.

"Alex Diab is without question one of the top all-arounders in the entire country for this recruiting class," said Spring. "He has the ability to come in and possibly immediately replace C.J. Maestas' ring score and compete in the all-around for us. C.J. owns the record for highest NCAA ring score and I think Diab has that potential. It's going to be fantastic to not lose that score."

Diab is the son of Mark and Jennifer Diab and intends to major in kinesiology.

JOHNNY JACOBSON // SYRACUSE, UTAH // SYRACUSE H.S. // USA GYMNASTICS WORLD

Johnny Jacobson was a member of the 2013 Junior National Team that took first place at the Junior Mexican Cup. Most recently he has competed at the 2014 Men's Junior Olympic National Championships where he finished second on the parallel bars and ninth in the all-around competition.

"We're losing Jordan Valdez and C.J. Maestas, probably our best two parallel bars scores and Johnny is a big piece for that event," shared Spring. "His two best events without question are the parallel bars and high bar but he is a very complete all-arounder as well. He has been consistent on the Junior National team for probably the last four years."

Jacobson is the son of Dathan and Lynell Jacobson and is currently undecided on a college major.

BLAKE MARTIN // COLUMBUS, OHIO // COLUMBUS ACADEMY // INTERNATIONAL GYMNASTICS ACADEMY

Blake Martin is a five-time Junior National qualifier dating from 2010-2014. In 2014, at the Junior Olympics, Martin finished 4th in both the all-around and vault events and took sixth on the pommel horse. The Columbus, Ohio native placed fourth in the all-around in Region 5 in 2014. Back in 2013 Martin was the Ohio state champion in both vault and parallel bars.

"He certainly has great potential on five events," said Spring. "We will look to him for huge things on floor, pommel, vault and high bar. He brings a great personality and really isn't scared to throw big skills, which is needed to excel in our crazy sport. He's going to do big things in his first year with our program."

Martin is the son of James and Lisa Martin and intends to major in engineering.

AUSTIN LOBER // ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO // ALBUQUERQUE HS // GOLD CUP GYMNASTICS

Austin Lober is a seven-time Junior National team qualifier. At the 2014 Junior Olympic National Championships Lober took home 23rd in the all-around competition. The Albuquerque, New Mexico native is a six-time state champion and has placed second in the all-around competition at the Regional Championships twice. Lober is a three-time academic All-American through USA Gymastics.

"He throws some huge skills too, he's from C.J.'s gym," stated Spring. "He has great potential on rings, parallel bars, high bar and floor and he has just been an Illini fan from the beginning. He's a super hard worker and could not have been more excited. He committed on his trip. He brings an energy and a presence that's going to help our team. He's got an eagerness to succeed and has great potential as a gymnast and I can see him breaking into the lineup during his freshman year in a few events as well."

Lober is the son of Russell and Sherry Lober and plans to major in business at Illinois.