Knights’ Woods picks Illinois

Posted Feb 8, 2010 by Adam Adkins

Updated Feb 8, 2010 at 03:36 PM

D.J. Woods visit to Illinois went so well, Robinson’s standout defensive lineman won’t even bother to return home before signing a National Letter-of-Intent.

Knights coach Mike DePue said Monday afternoon that Woods, a Tribune All-Hillsborough County first team pick in 2009, was in the process of signing with the Illini, a program that jumped into his recruitment very late but was able to steal Woods’ services away from a host of Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) programs.

“This is a real exciting time for this young man,” DePue said. “It’s real special when we have not had a kid make it to a big time school in a few years. This is a big step for D.J. and a big step for our program.”

Woods had given a verbal commitment to Savannah State, an FCS program, but opted not to sign on National Signing Day after Illinois jumped into the picture. Illini coaches wanted Woods to make a visit, and he flew up Sunday to meet with the coaching staff.

Now, he’ll fly back knowing his playing future lies within the Big Ten Conference.