The 5-foot-11 running back from New Jersey, John Forster, switched his original commitment from Rutgers (7-5, 4-5) to Illinois (9-3, 6-3) on Dec. 4. Forster currently attends Saint Joseph Regional High School and will join the class of 2025 recruits, many of which also signed the same day.
This season, Forster averaged 61.8 yards per game and is considered to be the No. 35 running back in the country per ESPN. In his senior year, he ran for 618 yards and picked up four touchdowns.
Forster flipping from Rutgers to Illinois on signing day was a bold move. However, it demonstrates how hard the program has attempted to obtain the most talented athletes nationwide. From Director of Athletics Josh Whitman to head coach Bret Bielema, Illinois’ efforts off the field have worked to recruit skillful players and create a program focusing on recruitment and continuity.
Forster will work alongside the existing running back expertise from junior Josh McCray, sophomores Aidan Laughery and Kaden Feagin and freshman Ca’Lil Valentine. He weighs around 190 pounds, and with his strength and versatility, he’ll be an excellent addition to the running back squad.
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