Camagn – Michael Clayton II was extra an unofficial participant within the Rising Illini camp on Wednesday.
Particularly as a result of his star has already grown. Clayton was the primary dedication of Illinois within the 2026 class and made the return journey to Champaign – the eighth on the trail of his official go to – for the start of this – for just a few causes.
Clayton has didn’t go the prospect to enter the sphere with the offensive coordinator in Illinois, Barry Lunney Jr. and the co-fifty coach, Artwork Sitkowski. Particularly when the opposite contributors included the long run Coechipier Nasir Rankin.
“I’m from Florida and I say that Florida Pace is in contrast to anybody, however I really feel it has this,” Clayton mentioned about Rankin. The big 4 -star receptor in Morgan Park is the highest -ranked prime recruitment within the class. “He actually has the subsequent gear that may enable him to dominate the soccer of the school and even up to now.”
A pair of recruitment targets from 2026 additionally labored with Clayton on Wednesday morning. Mack Sutter, 4 -star, Mack Sutter accompanied by his brother from Dunlap to Champaign, with Bo Sutter taking part within the Rising Illini camp. 4 -Star, Fellow JC Andlow Jc Anderson additionally made the brief journey from Mount Sion for the second consecutive week.
Clayton, who was glad Illinois raised a four-star offensive quiet on Wednesday morning, on the Catholic Donovan (NJ) standot, Kai Pritchard, made a small recruitment with Sutter and Anderson.
It’s a position that the quarter of Miami Edison (FLA.) Huggled since engaged in Illinois on November 10th. Within the seventh months since he noticed the recruitment class from 2026 in Illini to develop as much as 22 whole commitments and to categorise among the many first 10 courses at nationwide stage.
“(Illinois coaches) They simply advised me that I would be the first and sophistication will develop up after me,” Clayton advised The Information-Gazette. “This was performed. I discuss lots with Kai. He advised me (Tuesday) at night time he would do that and I used to be tremendous excited. That is one in every of our greatest guys I used to be attempting to get and I might lastly be good.”
Anderson and Sutter are additionally on that record of prime targets in Illinois. The Mount Zion star is in Illinois, Auburn and Mississippi after canceling its official go to to North Carolina. Sutter did the identical, opting to not take an official at Penn State and to deal with Illinois, Alabama, Mississippi and Ohio State as prime choices.
Clayton has entered a final recruitment floor on the ultimate excessive stage duo. Sutter is classed as the overall recruitment no. 82 within the 2026 class, on 247sports activities, whereas Anderson checks in 160th place.
“I preach to them to have the ability to come right here and be a hero from his hometown – to play early, which is an enormous factor that separates us from many faculties – and the coach and improvement they may get right here is in contrast to another,” Clayton mentioned.
The piece of teaching and improvement is why Clayton selected Illinois. The three -star quarter had virtually three dozen gives earlier than participating at Illini. Notable packages, additionally with every energy convention represented.
The connection that Clayton constructed with Lunney and Sitkowski was, nevertheless. The chance to work with each Wednesday, earlier than the camp, consolidated solely why.
“It was only a good alternative to learn the way coaches and to return across the boys,” Clayton mentioned. “I like their teaching kinds. Clearly, it’s a purpose why I used to be attracted to come back right here. Their consideration to particulars is so huge. I wish to be educated by them. With the ability to come right here and to do it in individual was wonderful.”
Clayton has developed a detailed report with Sitkowski. Former Quarterback from Illinois went to a job as an assistant graduate in 2023 and was a assistant coach in 2024. Selling on the coach of this spring was the reinvestment of Illinois in a younger rising coach and a profitable recruiter.
“That is the coach I raised closest to any coach I’ve ever been educated and wasn’t even my coach,” Clayton mentioned about Sitkowski. “We had a variety of deep discussions – a variety of private discussions We solely know one another outdoors of soccer. It nonetheless has the identical charism about it outdoors the sphere, but it surely actually has this actuality for which I actually prefer it.”
The way in which Lunney and Sitkowski work with their present quarters additionally caught Clayton’s opinion. He shortly emphasised how Luke Altmyer developed himself within the third season as Illini’s starter, calling him “a murals”.
“Undoubtedly, the choice and enchancment of steady enchancment,” Clayton mentioned that he was taken from Altmyer viewing. “That is work by way of Lunney and Artwork. They preached that and I noticed that within the conferences I used to be in.”
These are realized classes Clayton goes with him to Florida after each journey to Champaign. The Classes The 6-Foot-Four, 200 kilograms, will apply in its senior season to Edison, after transferring from the Seminole Excessive Faculty in Sanford, Fla., To play a harder program.
“Simply to have the ability to dominate highschool soccer,” Clayton mentioned was his aim for his senior season. “Play Agianst the best stage of competitors that may put together me for school soccer.”