2023 quarterback Cal Swanson commits to Illinois

It didn’t take Cal Swanson long to know he wanted to be at Illinois. A week after receiving his first Power Five offer from the Illini, Swanson announced his commitment on Monday after taking an official visit this weekend.

The 6-foot-2, 181-pounder chose Illinois over offers from Central Oklahoma, Houston Baptist and Tarleton State. He is currently unranked by all four major recruiting services that make up the On3 Consensus.

Swanson completed 151 of 215 passes (70.2%) for 2,273 yards, 28 touchdowns and two interceptions while rushing for five touchdowns last season as a junior. He is also a star on the track, running a 22.10-second 200-meter dash this spring.

He becomes the Illini’s eighth commitment in the 2023 cycle, and the fourth player outside the state of Illinois to commit to Bret Bielema and Co.