Illinois flips 2025 safety Tywan Cox from USF

Miami Northwestern three-star safety Tywan Cox has flipped his commitment from South Florida to Illinois, he announced on Monday.

He was pledged to the Bulls since July, but now joins Bret Bielema’s recruiting class in Champaign following an official visit.

Cox is the No. 779 overall prospect and No. 66 safety in the 2025 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 103 player in Florida.

The 5-foot-9.5, 165-pounder is commitment No. 16 for the Illini this cycle. The class ranks No. 53 in the nation, according to the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings.

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The Illini are still without a blue-chip prospect in their 2025 class, which also ranks No. 15 in the Big Ten. Bielema and Co. are on pace to finish with a similar recruiting class to the 2024 cycle, one that finished No. 52 in the nation.

Mt. Zion (Ill.) three-star wide receiver Brayden Trimble is the top-ranked pledge in the mix, checking in as the No. 492 recruit and No. 82 wideout. He’s one of six in-state prospects in the class.

Cox is the latest Sunshine State product to pledge to Illinois, joining four others who are already set to head to Champaign at the next level. Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas three-star running back Cedric Wyche, Clearwater Central Catholic three-star athlete Jershaun Newton, Tampa Vero Beach three-star cornerback Robert Jones and Palm Beach Dwyer three-star safety Xanai Scott are also in the class.

Other top commits in the class include: Arlington Heights (Ill.) John Hersey three-star tight end Logan Farrell, Saint Louis Cardinal Ritter three-star quarterback Carson Boyd, Roseville (Mich.) three-star safety Desmond Straughton, Blue Island (Ill.) Eisenhower three-star athlete Andre Lovett and Indianapolis Ben Davis three-star defensive lineman Isaiah White.