CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – University of Illinois head football coach Lovie Smith announced Wednesday the signing of Florida defensive back Tahveon Nicholson to a National Letter of Intent for the 2020 recruiting class on the first day of the regular signing period.
Nicholson, a three-star recruit out of Palmetto Prep School in Jacksonville, Fla., is the No. 7-ranked prep school prospect and the No. 1 prep school athlete in the nation according to 247Sports. He joins 12 other Illini that signed during the early signing period in December.
"We're excited to add another talented piece to our secondary," said Lovie Smith. "Tahveon is outstanding athlete from the state of Florida who we feel can be a difference-maker at this level. As I said in December, we knew this class would be small in numbers, but feel like we've added talent and depth in several areas with this group of recruits. Like last season, we intend to add to this class with transfers during spring or summer if we find the right fit."
Signing Class Notes (as of 2/5)
- » The class of 2020 includes 13 players total: seven from Florida, three from St. Louis, one from California, one from Georgia and one from North Carolina.
- » Average recruit rating of .8490 by 247Sports is Illinois' fourth highest rated recruiting class in the online recruiting era (since 2002), behind only 2019, 2009 and 2007.
- » The class is balanced, with six offensive players (1 QB, 1 RB, 1 WR, 3 OL) and seven defensive players (5 DL, 1 LB, 1 DB).
- » Two December signees are already enrolled at Illinois this semester and are attending classes and working out with the team – OL Blaise Sparks and OL Phifer Griffin. Walkon RB Matt Bobak also is an early enrollee this Spring.
- » The Illini had five blue-shirted players on the roster in 2019, which means those five count toward this class's 25 scholarship limit.
- » After having so much success with transfers in 2019, the coaching staff expects to pursue transfer options once again this offseason.
ILLINOIS FOOTBALL 2020 SIGNEES (13)
| NAME |
POS. |
HT. | WT. |
HOMETOWN |
HIGH SCHOOL |
| Cooper Davis |
DL |
6-6 | 245 |
Melbourne, Fla. |
Viera |
| James Frenchie |
WR |
5-9 | 175 |
St. Louis, Mo. |
Trinity Catholic |
| Lavar Gardner |
LB |
5-11 | 200 |
Atlanta, Ga. |
Columbia |
| Phifer Griffin |
OL |
6-6 | 290 |
Monroe, N.C. |
Union Academy |
| Reggie Love |
RB |
5-10 | 195 |
St. Louis, Mo. |
Trinity Catholic |
| Quinton McCoy |
DL |
6-2 | 260 |
Valrico, Fla. |
Bloomingdale |
| Jer'Zhan Newton |
DL |
6-2 | 260 |
St. Petersburg, Fla. |
Clearwater Central Catholic |
| Tahveon Nicholson |
DB |
5-11 | 170 |
Jacksonville, Fla. |
Lee HS/Palmetto Prep |
| Tre'Von Riggins |
DL |
6-2 | 265 |
Bradenton, Fla. |
Lakewood |
| Anthony Shipton |
DL |
6-4 | 305 |
Orange, Calif. |
Villa Park |
| Deuce Spann |
QB |
6-4 | 195 |
St. Petersburg, Fla. |
Lakewood |
| Blaise Sparks |
OL |
6-7 | 300 |
North Fort Myers, Fla. |
North Fort Myers |
| Kevin Tyler |
OL |
6-5 | 295 |
St. Louis, Mo. |
Ritenour |
SIGNEE BIOS
DB / 5-11 / 170 / Jacksonville, Fla. / Lee HS / Palmetto Prep
• Three-star recruit by 247
• Two-star recruit by Rivals
• National prep school ranks: #7 (247 Composite), #8 (247)
• No. 1 prep school athlete in the nation by 247 Composite
• Four interceptions and one forced fumble at Palmetto Prep Academy
• Also played wide receiver for Palmetto Prep Academy
• Enrolled at Palmetto Prep Academy after high school career at Lee HS
• Five interceptions and one forced fumble during his high school career
• 28 touchdowns during his high school career, including two interception returns and one punt return
• Offers included Florida Atlantic
EARLY SIGNING PERIOD BIOS
DL / 6-5 / 245 / Melbourne, Fla./Viera
• Three-star recruit by 247, ESPN, and Rivals
• National ranks: #903 (247 Composite), #1349 (247)
• Strong-side defensive end ranks: #34 (Rivals), #46 (247 Composite), #52 (ESPN), #68 (247)
• Florida ranks: #90 (ESPN), #120 (247 Composite), #155 (247)
• Finished fourth in Florida 7A Player of the Year voting
• 103 tackles, 22.0 sacks, 39.0 TFLs, 18 quarterback hurries, one interception as a senior
• 97 tackles, 21.0 sacks, 29.0 TFLs, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries as a junior
• Also played basketball in high school
• Committed to Illinois on Dec. 11, 2019
• Offers included Connecticut, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Minnesota, Missouri, Syracuse, Tennessee, UCF, USF, West Virginia, Duke, and Nebraska
WR / 5-9 / 175 / St. Louis, Mo./Trinity Catholic
• Four-star recruit by ESPN, three-star recruit by 247 and Rivals
• National ranks: #203 (ESPN), #408 (247 Composite), #646 (247)
• Wide receiver ranks: #32 (ESPN), #40 (Rivals), #68 (247 Composite), #111 (247)
• Missouri ranks: #5 (ESPN), #6 (247 Composite), #11 (247), #15 (Rivals)
• 2019 Missouri Football Coaches Association Class 3 All-State First Team
• 1,524 receiving yards, 821 rushing yards, 3,204 all-purpose yards, 40 total touchdowns during his high school career
• 33 receptions, 453 receiving yards, five receiving touchdowns, 43 carries, 264 rushing yards, six rushing touchdowns, two kick return touchdowns, 1,052 all-purpose yards as a senior
• 10 receptions, 310 receiving yards, three receiving touchdowns, 30 carries, 400 rushing yards, nine rushing touchdowns, one punt return touchdown, 798 all-purpose yards as a junior
• 13 receptions, 444 receiving yards, seven receiving touchdowns, 715 all-purpose yards as a sophomore
• 19 receptions, 317 receiving yards, three receiving touchdowns, 18 carries, 150 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns, 639 all-purpose yards as a freshman
• Played for head coach Cory Patterson, who is now an Illinois assistant, during his first two high school seasons
• Missed most of his senior season with an injury
• Committed to Illinois on Aug. 24, 2019
• Offers included Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Kentucky, Louisville, Missouri, Nebraska, Purdue, South Carolina, Syracuse, and Tennessee
LB / 5-11 / 200 / Atlanta, Ga./Columbia/Samford/Hutchinson CC (Kan.)
• Three-star recruit by 247 and ESPN, two-star recruit by Rivals
• Juco national ranks: #43 (ESPN), #109 (247 Composite), #116 (247)
• Juco athlete ranks: #1 (247 Composite), #1 (247)
• Juco outside linebacker ranks: #3 (ESPN)
• Juco Georgia ranks: #25 (247 Composite), #31 (247)
• 65 tackles, 4.0 sacks, 9.0 TFLs, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, two breakups as a sophomore at Hutchinson CC
• 2018 All-KJCCC first team
• 31 tackles, 1.0 TFL as a freshman at Samford
• 137 tackles, 12.0 sacks, 21.0 TFLs, two forced fumbles, and one defensive touchdown during his high school career
• 2017 Atlanta Journal Constitution 5A Defensive Player of the Year
• 2017 Atlanta Journal Constitution All-State
• 2017 DeKalb County Player of the Year
• 2017 GACA All-State
• 2017 Georgia Sports Writers Association All-State
• Committed to Illinois on Nov. 21, 2019
• Offers included Massachusetts, Nebraska, Southern Miss, and Texas State
OL / 6-6 / 290 / Monroe, N.C./Union Academy
• Three-star recruit by 247 and ESPN, two-star recruit by Rivals
• National ranks: #945 (247), #1341 (247 Composite)
• Offensive tackle ranks: #77 (247), #96 (ESPN), #109 (247 Composite)
• North Carolina ranks: #28 (247), #34 (ESPN), #42 (247 Composite)
• 2019 Greater Charlotte Offensive Lineman of the Year
• Committed to Illinois on July 21, 2019
• Offers included Air Force, Eastern Kentucky, Georgia State, Liberty, Marshall, and West Virginia
RB / 5-10 / 195 / St. Louis, Mo./Trinity Catholic
• Four-star recruit by Rivals, three-star recruit by 247 and ESPN
• National ranks: #178 (Rivals), #430 (247 Composite), #815 (247)
• Running back ranks: #8 (Rivals), #31 (247 Composite), #56 (247), #65 (ESPN)
• Missouri ranks: #4 (Rivals), #8 (247 Composite), #15 (247), #17 (ESPN)
• 108 carries for 668 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns during his high school career
• Played for head coach Cory Patterson, who is now an Illinois assistant, during his first two high school seasons
• Committed to Illinois on April 4, 2019, becoming the first commit to the Illini's class
• Offers included Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Kentucky, Louisville, Minnesota, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Penn State, Purdue, Syracuse, TCU, Tennessee, Utah, Vanderbilt, and Wisconsin
DL / 6-2 / 260 / Valrico, Fla./Bloomingdale
• Three-star recruit by 247 and ESPN, two-star recruit by Rivals
• National ranks: #1440 (247), #1650 (247 Composite)
• Defensive tackle ranks: #109 (247), #121 (247 Composite)
• Defensive end ranks: #146 (ESPN)
• Florida ranks: #167 (247), #214 (247 Composite), #222 (ESPN)
• 117 tackles, 9.0 sacks, 20.5 TFLs during his high school career
• 37 tackles, 2.0 sacks, 3.0 TFLs, one blocked punt as a senior
• 34 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 7.5 TFLs, one fumble recovery as a junior
• Committed to Illinois on June 10, 2019
• Offers included Bowling Green, FIU, Georgia Southern, Iowa State, Louisville, Southern Miss, Toledo, USF, and Kentucky
DL / 6-3 / 255 / St. Petersburg, Fla./Clearwater Central Catholic
• Three-star recruit by 247, ESPN, and Rivals
• National ranks: #821 (247), #1024 (247 Composite)
• Defensive tackle ranks: #42 (247), #56 (247 Composite)
• Defensive end ranks: #86 (ESPN)
• Florida ranks: #94 (247), #125 (ESPN), #134 (247 Composite)
• 244 tackles, 24.0 sacks, 45.0 TFLs, five forced fumbles in his high school career
• 104 tackles, 16.0 sacks, 29.5 TFLs, three forced fumbles as a senior
• Tampa Bay Offensive Player of the Year in 2017 by Tampa Bay Times
• Offers included Boston College, Cincinnati, Colorado State, Florida, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas State, Kentucky, Maryland, Miami (Fla.), North Carolina, Rutgers, Syracuse, UCF, USF, Virginia Tech, and West Virginia
DL / 6-2 / 265 / Bradenton, Fla./Lakewood
• Three-star recruit by 247, ESPN, and Rivals
• National ranks: #811 (247 Composite), #1057 (247)
• Defensive tackle ranks: #31 (Rivals), #70 (247 Composite), #77 (247), #107 (ESPN)
• Florida ranks: #77 (Rivals), #111 (247 Composite), #117 (247), #153 (ESPN)
• 74 tackles, 5.0 sacks, 20.0 TFLs, 11 quarterback hurries, three forced fumbles during his high school career
• 38 tackles, 3.0 sacks, 13.0 TFLs, five quarterback hurries as a senior
• Committed to Illinois on Dec. 15, 2019
• Offers included Arizona State, Bowling Green, Colorado State, Florida, Liberty, Miami (Fla.), Syracuse, Temple, Tennessee, and USF
DL / 6-4 / 305 / Orange, Calif./Villa Park/Cerritos College
• Three-star recruit by 247, ESPN, and Rivals
• Juco national ranks: #85 (247 Composite), #119 (247)
• Juco defensive tackle ranks: #9 (247 Composite), #12 (247)
• Juco California ranks: #18 (247 Composite), #25 (247)
• 2019 unanimous all-conference first team
• 2019 Joe Kapp Real Estate Beach Bowl Defensive MVP
• 2018 All-Northern Central Division second team
• 40 tackles, 4.0 sacks, 5.5 TFLs, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery as a sophomore
• 28 tackles, 0.5 sack, 2.0 TFLs as a freshman
• Committed to Illinois on Dec. 8, 2019
• Offers included Arizona, Hawaii, and UTEP
QB / 6-4 / 195 / St. Petersburg, Fla./Lakewood
• Three-star recruit by 247, ESPN, and Rivals
• National ranks: #905 (247 Composite), #1556 (247)
• Dual-threat quarterback ranks: #22 (Rivals), #25 (247 Composite), #27 (ESPN), #32 (247)
• Florida ranks: #81 (Rivals), #121 (247 Composite), #135 (ESPN), #178 (247)
• 6,972 yards of total offense during his high school career
• 4,771 passing yards, 45 passing touchdowns, 2,165 rushing yards, 27 rushing touchdowns during his high school career
• Led Lakewood to the state semifinals as a senior
• 117-253 passing, 1,937 passing yards, 25 passing touchdowns, 847 rushing yards, 10 rushing touchdowns as a senior
• 122-270 passing, 1,860 passing yards, 12 passing touchdowns, 883 rushing yards, 9 rushing touchdowns as a junior
• 63-142 passing, 974 passing yards, 8 passing touchdowns, 435 rushing yards, 8 rushing touchdowns as a sophomore
• Father, Greg Spann Sr., played wide receiver at Jackson State and was drafted in the seventh round of the 1996 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. He went on to play professionally in the Arena League and XFL
• Committed to Illinois on Dec. 13, 2019
• Offers included Auburn, Boston College, Cincinnati, Duke, Florida State, Georgia, Louisville, Maryland, Miami (Fla.), Mississippi, Pittsburgh, Purdue, Syracuse, UCF, USF, Utah, and Virginia Tech
OL / 6-7 / 300 / North Fort Myers, Fla./North Fort Myers
• Three-star recruit by 247, ESPN, and Rivals
• National ranks: #1947 (247 Composite), #2217 (247)
• Offensive tackle ranks: #161 (247 Composite), #161 (247), #173 (ESPN)
• Florida ranks: #263 (247 Composite), #274 (247), #299 (ESPN)
• Committed to Illinois on July 31, 2019
• Offers included Kent State, Pittsburgh, Southern Miss, Temple, USF
OL / 6-5 / 295 / St. Louis, Mo./Ritenour
• Three-star recruit by 247 and ESPN, two-star recruit by Rivals
• National ranks: #1009 (247), #1373 (247 Composite)
• Offensive tackle ranks: #86 (247), #111 (247 Composite)
• Offensive guard ranks: #58 (ESPN)
• Missouri ranks: #16 (ESPN), #24 (247), #25 (247 Composite)
• 2019 Missouri Football Coaches Association Class 5 All-State First Team
• 2018 Missouri Football Coaches Association Class 6 All-State Second Team
• Committed to Illinois on July 28, 2019
• Offers included Houston, Indiana, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Memphis, Minnesota, Missouri, Northern Illinois, Purdue, SMU, Syracuse, Western Michigan, and Wyoming
