CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- The Illinois baseball team signed nine highly-rated recruits Wednesday, seven from high schools and two junior college transfers. The Fighting Illini singed five of the top-25 recruits in Illinois according to Prep Baseball Report. 

Official recruiting ranks will not be released until student-athletes report to campus next fall. 

Jack Crowder
RHP, R/R, 6-4, 220
Romeoville, Ill./Plainfield East
• No. 2 right-handed pitcher in Illinois by Perfect Game and No. 3 by Prep Baseball Report
• No. 35 right-handed pitcher in the nation by Perfect Game and No. 77 by Prep Baseball Report
• No. 4 recruit in Illinois by Perfect Game and No. 8 by Prep Baseball Report
• No. 135 recruit in the nation by Perfect Game and No. 236 by Prep Baseball Report
• Three-year letterwinner
• Played for head coach Adam O'Reel at Plainfield East
• 2019 All-Southern Prairie Conference
• 2019 Perfect Game Preseason Underclassmen All-American second team
• 2019 WWBA 17 U Prospect Meadows National Championship MVP
• 2019 WWBA Kernels Foundation Championship MVP
• 2019 WWBA 17 U Prospect Meadows National Championship All-Tournament Team
• 2019 WWBA 17U National Championship All-Tournament Team
• 2019 WWBA Kernels Foundation Championship All-Tournament Team
• 2018 Perfect Game Preseason Underclassmen All-American honorable mention
• 2018 WWBA Kernels Foundation Championship All-Tournament Team
• 2017 15U Perfect Game World Series All-Tournament Team
• Led Plainfield East to three straight regional championships
• Topped at 95 MPH according to Perfect Game
• Bengal Athletic Leadership Council
• Involved with community service through Feed My Starving Children
• Son of David and Jennifer Crowder
• Older brother, Dalton, played baseball at Lewis University
• Played summer ball for the Cangelosi Sparks with Illini Branden Comia and Cam McDonald
• Committed to Illinois as a sophomore
• Chose Illinois over Michigan, Penn State, Iowa, and Indiana
• Chose Illinois because, "it was the best fit for me, and I loved the coaches and the players."

Ryan Hampe
C, R/R, 6-0, 220
New Lenox, Ill./Sandburg/John A. Logan CC
• Transferred to John A. Logan CC for his sophomore season after playing at UIC as a freshman in 2019
• Played for head coach Jim Morsovillo at Sandburg
• Set Sandburg single-season records for doubles (20) and hits (55)
• .433/.474/.732, six home runs, and 36 RBIs as a senior
• Two-time all-conference, all-area, and all-state
• Involved with community service at the Orland Park Public Library
• Son of Jeff and Christina Hampe
• One younger sister, Morgan
• Played summer ball for the Cangelosi Sparks with Illini Branden Comia and Cam McDonald
• Chose Illinois over Purdue, Pepperdine, and Indiana State
• Chose Illinois because, "I thought it felt like my best fit. Having great academics and great facilities, I believe that this is a place I can grow on and off the field and that is what I was looking for."

2019 Freshman (UIC)
• .351/.401/.524, 14 2B, 5 HR, 48 RBIs
• Collegiate Baseball Freshman All-American
• National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Freshman All-American
• ABCA/Rawlings All-Mideast Region Second Team
• All-Horizon League First Team
• Horizon League All-Freshman Team
• Horizon League Championship MVP
• Second on team and fifth in Horizon League in batting average (.351), tied for fifth in doubles (14), seventh in RBI (48) and eighth in slugging percentage (.524)
• Batting average ranked sixth among all first-year players
• Appeared in 45 games with 43 starts (37 DH, 6 C)
• Second on team in multi-hit games (17) and multi-RBI games (14)
• Batted in cleanup spot team-high 33 times
• Hit safely in 15 of 16 games entering NCAA Regional
• Hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to drive in a run during NCAA Louisville Regional game vs. Indiana (June 1)
• Four of five home runs between May 12 vs. Youngstown State and May 25 against Milwaukee
• Hit .429 and slugged 1.143 with six hits, eight RBI and four runs scored during three Horizon League Tournament
• Homered twice and drove in career-high four runs during Horizon League Tournament championship game against Milwaukee 5/25/19
• First career home run at Youngstown State 4/7/19
• Career-high five hits with two doubles and three RBI at Milwaukee 3/30/19
• First career start at catcher and had two hits at Illinois State 3/19/19
• First career start as DH, had a hit and scored a run in win at Texas A&M 2/24/19
• Made collegiate debut as a pinch hitter at Kennesaw State 2/16/19

Cal Hejza
INF, R/R, 5-11, 170
Oswego, Ill./Oswego
• No. 6 shortstop in Illinois by Perfect Game and No. 9 by Prep Baseball Report
• No. 22 recruit in Illinois by Perfect Game and No. 33 by Prep Baseball Report
• Top 500 recruit in the nation by Perfect Game
• Three-year letterwinner
• Played for head coach Joe Giarrante at Oswego
• 2019 All-Southwest Prairie Conference
• 2019 High School Baseball National Championship Team Illinois Selection
• Defensive Specialist Award at the 2019 High School Baseball National Championships
• 2019 PG WWBA 2020 17U National Championship All-Tournament Team
• 2019 WWBA 17U Prospect Meadows National Championship All-Tournament Team
• 2019 Perfect Game Preseason All-American Team
• 2019 Oswego Defensive Player of the Year
• 2019 PG WWBA World Championship All-Tournament Team
• .340, 30 RBIs, 45 R, 20 SB in last two high school seasons
• Panther Award
• Honor Roll
• Also played basketball in high school
• Son of Chad and Karissa Hejza
• One younger brother, Paxson, and one younger sister, Brinkley
• Named after Cal Ripken Jr.
• Plans to major in business
• Played summer ball for the Cangelosi Sparks with Illini Justin Janas, Alex Vera, and Cole Kirschsieper
• Played with fellow Illini signee Jack Crowder since they were 9-years old
• Committed to Illinois In August 2018
• Chose Illinois over Charlotte, Miami (Ohio), Dayton, and Indiana
• Chose Illinois because, "it offers tremendous education, the coaches, the history of the program, and I want to complete to win a national championship. With the current and future roster, we can compete with anyone."

Andrew Hoffmann
RHP, R/R, 6-5, 195
Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield East/John A. Logan CC
• Transferred to John A. Logan CC for his sophomore season after playing at Oakland as a freshman in 2019
• Two-year letterwinner at Plainfield East
• Played for head coach Adam O'Reel at Plainfield East
• All-Southern Prairie Conference
• Son of Glen and Susan Hoffman
• One older sister, Ashley
• Chose Illinois because, "it was a great fit for me athletically and academically."

2019 Summer (Traverse City Pit Spitters)
• 8-0, 1.08 ERA, 58.1 IP, 22 BB, 43 SO
• 2019 Northwoods League Pitcher of the Year
• Led the Northwoods League in ERA and wins
• 2019 Northwoods League All-Star

2019 Freshman (Oakland)
• 2-6, 6.75 ERA, 56.0 IP, 33 BB, 46 SO
• Started 12 of 13 appearances
• Second on the team in ERA and third on the team in innings pitched

Payton Hutchings
LHP, L/L, 5-11, 180
Coal City, Ill./Coal City
• No. 1 left-handed pitcher in Illinois by Prep Baseball Report and No. 5 by Perfect Game
• No. 45 left-handed pitcher in the nation by Prep Baseball Report and No. 117 by Perfect Game
• No. 12 recruit in Illinois by Prep Baseball Report and No. 39 by Perfect Game
• No. 422 recruit in the nation by Prep Baseball Report
• Three-year letterwinner
• Played for head coach Greg Wills at Coal City
• 25-6, 0.67 ERA, 338 SO, 179.2 IP
• .388 batting average, four home runs, 50 RBIs, and 121 runs
• Three-time All-Illinois Central 8 Conference
• Two-time all-state
• 2019 Kankakee Player of the Year
• 2018 Morris Daily Herald Player of the Year
• 2019 High School Baseball National Championship Team Illinois Selection
• 2018 Northern Illinois Player of the Year
• Struck out all 21 batters in a perfect game against Beecher as a sophomore
• Also played basketball and football in high school
• Two-time all-conference in both basketball and football
• Involved with community service through food drives in his community
• Coalers with Character
• Link Leaders
• Son of Dan and Janet Hutchings
• Father, Dan, is a high school athletic director
• One older brother, Chris Hajdu, and one older sister, Leah Hajdu
• Cousin, John Gockman, played football as a kicker at Illinois
• Plans to major in communications
• Plans to work in sports marketing following his playing career
• Committed to Illinois in December 2017
• Chose Illinois over Iowa, Illinois State, Louisville, and UIC
• Chose Illinois because, "I want to represent my home state, and it is my dream school. On my visit it felt like home and I enjoyed it so much."

Clayton Johnson
RHP, R/R, 6-8, 230
Prophetstown, Ill./Prophetstown
• No. 4 right-handed pitcher in Illinois by Prep Baseball Report and No. 10 by Perfect Game
• No. 11 recruit in Illinois by Prep Baseball Report and No. 23 by Perfect Game
• No. 414 recruit in the nation by Prep Baseball Report
• No. 136 right-handed pitcher in the nation by Prep Baseball Report
• Top 500 recruit in the nation by Perfect Game
• Played for head coach Brad Tichler at Prophetstown
• 4-2, 2.60 ERA, 35 IP as a junior
• 2019 All-Three Rivers East Conference Second Team
• Led Prophetstown to a regional championship in 2019
• Also played basketball and football in high school
• All-conference honorable mention basketball player
• High Honors
• Son of Reid and Tara Johnson
• Mother played volleyball and softball at Sauk Valley Community College
• Older sister, Dena, and one younger brother, Liam
• Plans to major in agricultural consumer economics
• Plans to farm following playing career
• Committed to Illinois In February 2019
• Chose Illinois over Purdue, Eastern Illinois, Ball State, and Northern Illinois
• Chose Illinois because, "it's a great fit for me. One of the best schools for my preferred major in the nation. Great athletics. Love the big campus and history. Baseball team is very solid and stresses development."

Tom Jurack
OF, R/R, 6-3, 210
Hinsdale, Ill./Hinsdale Central
• No. 4 outfielder in Illinois by Perfect Game and No. 8 by Prep Baseball Report
• No. 157 outfielder in the nation by Perfect Game
• No. 25 recruit in Illinois by Perfect Game and No. 56 by Prep Baseball Report
• Top 500 recruit in the nation by Perfect Game
• Two-year letterwinner
• Played for head coach Jason Ziemer at Hinsdale Central
• 2019 All-West Suburban Conference Silver
• 2019 all-area
• 2019 Hinsdale Central Varsity Team MVP
• 2019 Perfect Game Kernals Iowa Tournament Offensive MVP
• 2019 PBR at the Rock Milwaukee Tournament Offensive MVP
• .444 batting average, nine doubles, one triple, and four homers as a junior
• .511 batting average, 13 doubles, one triple, and three homers as a sophomore
• Involved with community service through Cangelosi Sparks Special Needs Night
• Son of Michael and Lisa Jurack
• Father, Michael, played baseball at Illinois from 1989-94
• Both parents graduated from the University of Illinois
• Three brothers, Andrew, Tyler, and Luke
• Brother, Andrew, played club baseball at Illinois
• Cousin, Charlie Tilson, plays for the Chicago White Sox
• Played summer ball for the Cangelosi Sparks with Illini Branden Comia, Justin Janas, and Ryan Kutt
• Plans to major in communications
• Chose Illinois because, "it is an excellent academic school with a great baseball program in the Big Ten."

Connor Milton
OF, R/R, 6-0, 180
Champaign, Ill./Champaign Central
• No. 4 outfielder in Illinois by Prep Baseball Report
• No. 74 outfielder in the nation by Prep Baseball Report
• No. 14 recruit in Illinois by Prep Baseball Report
• No. 441 recruit in the nation by Prep Baseball Report
• Three-year letterwinner
• Played for head coach John Staab at Champaign Central
• 2019 IHSA All-State
• 2019 PBR All-State first team
• 2019 All-Big 12 Conference first team
• .411 batting average, six homers, 42 RBIs, 43 runs, 22 steals, 98 total bases, 17 doubles, and six triples as a junior
• National Honor Society
• Involved with community service through FCA
• Also played football at Champaign Central and was a four-year letterwinner
• All-Area and All-Big 12 Conference in football
• Former Illini Davis Hendrickson was his former batting coach
• Former youth wrestling teammate of Illini Kellen Sarver
• Son of Howard and Barclay Milton
• Father, Howard, is the Senior Associate Director of Athletics, Development at the University of Illinois
• Two younger sisters, Claire and Callie
• Played summer ball for the Illinois Braves
• Committed to Illinois in the fall of 2018 after receiving a scholarship offer
• Chose Illinois because, "it has always been a dream to be an Illini."

Tucker Shalley
RHP, R/R, 6-4, 215
Grafton, Ill./Jersey Community
• No. 7 right-handed pitcher in Illinois by Prep Baseball Report and No. 13 by Perfect Game
• No. 341 right-handed pitcher in the nation by Perfect Game
• No. 24 recruit in Illinois by Prep Baseball Report and No. 31 by Perfect Game
• Top 500 recruit in the nation by Perfect Game
• Three-year letterwinner
• Played for head coach Darren Perdun at Jersey Community
• 8-6, 2.85 ERA, 95.2 IP, 142 SO combined between sophomore and junior years
• 2019 High School Baseball National Championship Team Illinois Selection
• Also played soccer and basketball at Jersey Community and was all-conference in basketball
• Son of Nathan and Kathleen Shalley
• One younger sister, Grace
• Played summer ball for the St. Louis Pirates
• Plans to major in Kinesiology
• Plans to get a job helping people in fitness or physical therapy following his playing career
• Committed to Illinois in October 2018
• Chose Illinois because, "It's been my dream school for as long as I could remember. My family always had season tickets to football and basketball games and baseball has always been my favorite sport. I grew up an Illini fan and it only seemed fitting to stay with the family. Especially because when I met the people and coaches there, that was the best part that sold it for me."