3-star CB Saboor Karriem commits to Illinois

West Orange (N.J.) three-star cornerback Saboor Karriem committed to Illinois on Saturday. He chose the Fighting Illini over multiple programs, including Michigan State, Pitt and Wisconsin.

Karriem is the No. 891 overall prospect and the No. 90 cornerback in the 2023 cycle, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He is also the No. 12 player in New Jersey.

On3 rates Karriem higher than other recruiting services, per the Industry Comparison. Even though he is not ranked in the 2023 On300, Karriem is the No. 71 cornerback and No. 10 player in New Jersey.

Beyond blessed and honored to announce that I am committed to the University of Illinois! #ILL@WestOrangeHSFB @CoachDgrant @OTTYF1 @IlliniFootball @BretBielema @AaronHenry7 @RivalsRichie pic.twitter.com/HpXfzgXjNh

— Saboor “Prime Time” Karriem (@Saboor_Karriem) October 22, 2022

Prior to making his decision, Karriem took an official visit to Champaign on June 3. He returned for an unofficial visit on Sept. 10 for Illinois’ 24-3 win over Virginia.

The 6-foot-3, 185 pound prospect is the 17th prospect in Illinois’ 2023 recruiting class. He is also the Fighting Illini’s second cornerback pledge alongside Clewiston (Fla.) Moore Haven Junior/Senior three-star Kenari Wilcher, the No. 800 overall prospect in the On3 Consensus.

Only four Illinois commits are currently ranked above Karriem. The list includes Wilcher, Arthur (Ill.) Arthur Senior four-star athlete Kaden Feagin and Ardmore (Okla.) three-star quarterback Cal Swanson.

Two other Fighting Illini pledges are top-1,000 prospects in the On3 Consensus. They are Ocoee (Fla.) three-star safety Zachary Tobe and Wheaton (Ill.) St. Francis three-star interior offensive lineman TJ McMillen.

Karriem is also the second player from New Jersey to choose head coach Bret Bielema and his staff. Monmouth Junction (N.J.) Hun School three-star interior offensive lineman Zachary Aamland committed to Illinois on May 30.

Karriem has an On3 NIL Valuation of $6K. The On3 NIL Valuation is an index that looks to set the standard market value for both high school and college-level athletes. The NIL valuation does not act as a tracker of the value of NIL deals an athlete has completed to date. It rather signifies an athlete’s value at a certain moment in time.