Illinois flips 2025 LB Grant Beerman from Purdue

West Chester (Ohio) Lakota West three-star linebacker Grant Beerman has flipped his commitment from Purdue to Illinois, he announced on Thursday.

He was pledged to the Boilermakers since July 6, but is now set to head to Champaign and play for the Fighting Illini next season.

Beerman is the No. 508 overall prospect and No. 55 LB 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. 17 player in Ohio.

Committed to the #FamILLy! Thankful for the opportunity!@BretBielema @coacharchiemac @GrantMorgan31 @CoachSintim @CoachEmbleton @IlliniFootball #B1GFootball @CoachTomBolden @Coach_Huls @CoachKyleBolden @LakotaWestFB @gmcsports pic.twitter.com/XQ2IYJLAfn

— Grant Beerman (@GrantBeerman) November 28, 2024

The 6-foot-3.5, 210-pounder is now the top-ranked prospect in Illinois’ 2025 class. He’s also the first LB in the mix for Bret Bielema and Co. this cycle. The Illini currently have the No. 54 class in the nation, according to the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings.

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Illinois now has 18 commits this cycle. Beerman is the third addition to the class this month, joining Miami Northwestern three-star safety Tywan Cox and Coopersville (Mich.) three-star offensive tackle JJ Hirdes.

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.

Mt. Zion (Ill.) three-star wide receiver Brayden Trimble is right behind Beerman as the second highest-ranked commit in the class. He’s one of six in-state commits and is currently the nation’s No. 545 recruit.

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.