Illinois Football: Get to know Illini class of 2023 signee Zachary Tobe

Illinois football is in the middle of signing one of the best recruiting classes we have seen in quite some time.

A big member of the Illini class of 2023 is Zachary Tobe. He is a big-time target who was wanted by numerous teams around the country. Tobe would take official visits to North Carolina, Boston College, UCF, and Illinois before committing to the Illini back on August 6.

Tobe’s commitment was huge for the Orange and Blue. He is a 6-foot-1, 175-pound safety coming out of Ocoee High School in Florida. He is rated as a three-star recruit and ranked as the No. 955 player in the class of 2023. He is also the No. 83 safety in the nation and the No. 136 player coming out of Florida.

Illinois now officially has Tobe’s signature to join the program for the 2023 campaign. But the Writing Illini wanted to pick the brain of the new secondary superstar.

Let’s get to know Illinois football class of 2023 signee, Zachary Tobe.

One of the first things that always comes to mind when a recruit signs is, why? Why did that player decide Illinois is the right place for them?

“The championship-level defense they (Illinois) put on display every Saturday,” Tobe told the Writing Illini.

The Illinois defense was truly championship-level in 2022, ranking inside the top 10 nationally in various categories. But despite the departure of defensive coordinator Ryan Walters, Tobe still stuck with his commitment to the Illini and followed through with signing.

That commitment isn’t anything new to Tobe. He has to have that type of commitment to the game of football to get so many scholarship offers. Tobe hasn’t done this alone, though. He has strong backing from his family, which is what drives him to be great.

“What drives me is my family,” said Tobe, “my dad has been pushing me since I could walk to be great at whatever I put my mind to, so I feel like I have no choice.”

Tobe has developed that great drive from his family, but most kids also have a player they looked up to or modeled their game after. Some would say a professional athlete like Deion Sanders or Darrell Revis. Tobe has a different answer.

“When I first started playing defensive back freshman year, I looked up to Lovie Jenkins, who is now a defensive back a Florida A&M University,” Tobe said.

Lastly, here at the Writing Illini, we ask the tough questions. I wanted to know if Tobe was stuck on an island and could only eat one food for the rest of his life, what would it be?

“If I could choose one food, it would be Mac and Cheese,” said Tobe, “that is just going to hit the spot at all times.”

There you have it. You have learned a little bit about our new defensive back. Let’s watch this kid develop and continue to learn more about him over the next four years.