Cincinnati beats Illinois for 4-star WR Malik Elzy

Malik Elzy took official visits to Cincinnati and Illinois in June, and after taking some time to think about his decision, he has committed to the Bearcats.

The four-star wide receiver out of Chicago Simeon gave the in-state school a long look, and coming off his official visit to Champagne, he had the Illini on top, but in the end, he felt Cincinnati was best for him.

“I chose Cincinnati because I feel like it is a program that’s on the rise,” Elzy told On3. “They had a great season last year finishing in the top four, they are building something under coach Luke Fickell, and I want to help them get to the top.”

Cincinnati finished the regular season 13-0 last season. Fickell led the Bearcats to back-to-back 11-win seasons in 2018 and 2019. Elzy is excited about the future.

“I truly believe things are only going to get better at Cincinnati. They have proven they can win and they are only getting better talent. The coaches are great and everyone has the same goal. It is going to be amazing to be part of the program.

“I love coach Fickell, coach Gino (Guidugli), and coach (Mike) Brown, and what the coaches and players are doing at Cincinnati. It is something great that I am going into.”

It was an easy fit for Elzy at Cincinnati

Not only is Elzy excited about the football program he is joining. He is looking forward to the atmosphere he will be in at Cincinnati too.

“I have been there a few times and I love the vibe,” Elzy said. “There are a lot of people from Chicago there and I just fit right in. It was easy to be around the players and hang out with them. The vibe is like family there.

“It was a hard decision, but I felt it in my gut. Cincinnati is the place for me. I know they really want me and it just fits me.”