Underwood Signing Day Media Zoom
Champaign, ILL.– University of Illinois head coach Brad Underwood announced Wednesday the signing of four-star recruit Ty Rodgers to a national letter of intent on the final day of the early signing period.
Rodgers is a 6-foot, 6-inch, 200-pound guard/forward from Saginaw, Michigan, who previously attended Grand Blanc High School. He is now at Thornton Township in Harvey, Illinois, for his senior season under the direction of head coach Tai Streets. He also plays for the MeanStreets AAU program on the EYBL circuit.
Rodgers is the No. 49 player in the Class of 2022 by ESPN, No. 53 by 247Sports Composite and No. 66 by Rivals. He also ranks as the No. 16 small forward by 247Sports and No. 19 by Rivals.
Rodgers was named 2021 Michigan Division 1 Player of the Year by the Associated Press after leading Grand Blanc to its first state championship in school history. He averaged 17.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.3 steals as a junior, helping Grand Blanc to a 15-2 record. Rodgers was a Dream Team all-state selection by the Detroit Free Press and was also named to the Flint-area Dream Team by MLive.
"Ty is one of the most versatile players in the country," Underwood said. "Defensively, he always wants the challenge of guarding the other team's best players. And on the summer circuit he guarded the best. He can defend four positions because of his competitive drive and how hard he plays. Then you see his versatility on the offensive end, again from multiple positions, and his passing is something that really stood out. We can run offense through him; his skill set is dynamic on both ends. You put all that with his physical gifts, his strength, his athleticism, and he's a guy who can step in immediately and really impact winning."
Rodgers selected Illinois over Michigan State, Alabama and Memphis. He joins four-star guards Jayden Epps and Sencire Harris in the Fighting Illini Class of 2022. Illinois' 3-player recruiting class is currently ranked No. 18 nationally by 247Sports and No. 23 by Rivals.
