Illinois Football: Illini adding more depth at quarterback with Cal Swanson

Cal Swanson joins the class of 2023 as a quarterback prospect to watch for the Illinois football team.

The recruiting spree continues to heat up for the Illini as spring turns to summer. Illinois has been busy establishing a foundation for the future, and part of that growth comes from one of its newest commits, 2023 Oklahoma product, Cal Swanson.

Swanson, a 6-foot-3, 190-pound quarterback, committed to Illinois early Monday afternoon upon taking an official visit to Champaign on June 3. Swanson’s only power-five offer came from the Illini, as he was recruited by Central Oklahoma, Houston Baptist, and the University of Pennsylvania, to name a few.

Cal Swanson will help the Illinois football quarterback room succeed

Swanson was one of several players to visit campus this past weekend, as he joins the likes of Pat Farrell and Jamarrion Harkless to make it official. Swanson enters a quarterback room that will see him learn under Art Sitkowski, Ryan Johnson, and Donovan Leary by the time he sees the field.

Although it may not be the most experienced quarterback room, Sitkowski has Big Ten experience and knowledge that Swanson could use as a tool to soak up as much information as possible before it’s truly his time to shine under the lights at Memorial Stadium.

Upon entering his senior season, Swanson currently attends Ardmore High School and helped lead his team to a 7-4 finish that included wins against Mae Jemison, and a five-game winning streak to open the season where the Tigers outscored opponents a combined 198-67 through that stretch.

Check out his highlights below, as his scrambling ability makes him an exciting new piece to a rebuilding, yet winning puzzle for the next several years to come.

As August is vastly approaching, Illinois’ work in the recruiting area is an interesting storyline to continue following, as Bret Bielema enters his second season at the helm. Only time will tell what the future holds, but Illini Nation should be excited for what’s to come next.