Illinois lands 4-star recruit for 2013

(MCT) — Caleb Day, a senior athlete at Hilliard Darby in Ohio, made an oral commitment to play football at Illinois on Thursday, his high school coach John Santagata said.

The 6-foot, 188-pound Day plays running back, wide receiver and defensive back and was a punt and kick returner for Darby. The four-star recruit is ranked ninth among athletes and 186th overall in the Class of 2013 by rivals.com. He also was an Ohio state qualifier in the 110-meter hurdles this season.

He is projected to be a defensive back at the next level by some recruiting organizations.

"He's a kid who has a lot of athleticism," Santagata said. "He's got breakaway speed, and he also has good size."

Day also had offers from Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisville, Cincinnati, Indiana and Purdue, among others, according to Santagata.

"He really liked coach (Tim) Beckman," Santagata said. "He was extremely high on Illinois and Coach Beckman."