High School

• Three-star recruit by 247Sports, ESPN, On3, and Rivals
• Wide receiver ranks: #83 (On3), #131 (ESPN), #132 (247Sports)
• State of Tennessee ranks: #19 (On3), #34 (247Sports), #38 (ESPN)
• Played for head coach Brad Waggoner at Gatlinburg-Pittman
• 730 receiving yards and 11 receiving touchdowns as a senior
• 1,035 receiving yards and nine receiving touchdowns as a junior
• All-state and all-region selection
• Also played basketball and earned all-district honors
• Scored over 1,000 career points for the varsity basketball team
• Offers included Arkansas State, Austin Peay, Buffalo, Charlotte, Coastal Carolina, East Carolina, Eastern Kentucky, Liberty, Miami (Ohio), Toledo, and Western Michigan

Personal

• Born October 17, 2005
• Son of Carlos Gillespie
• Chose Illinois because, “The bond I made with the coaches and just the atmosphere felt like home. I felt I could be developed the best on and off the field.”
• Majoring in recreation, sport, and tourism