Aaron Bailey can’t remember the last time he used a fax machine. 

But he’s been waiting for this moment to officially sign since he verbally committed to Illinois back in April. 

So when he sat down before school a little before 7:13 a.m. Wednesday morning, the Bolingbrook High School senior joked that he took his time writing, even though it was just his name. His parents were watching nearby, proudly and beaming. 

As he went through the school day, he received much of the same — lots of congratulations and even a celebration after school with cake and pizza alongside the rest of his high school teammates who signed their letters. 

All this for a decision he’d already made in April.

“It’s amazing how much goes into just writing your name,” Bailey said. “I’m just really blessed to have this opportunity.”

That’s because he’s officially committed to Illinois and is the prize of the school’s 2013 recruiting class, which Rivals ranks No. 46 in the nation. Now it was Illinois head coach Tim Beckman and recruiting coordinator and tight ends coach Alex Golesh who were beaming. 

“Aaron is a phenomenal athlete,” Golesh said. “He’s one of those kids that when you’re around him you smile because he brings that to a room.”

Beckman said he is most excited about the overall character of his new recruiting class, and that starts with Bailey. He’s already reached out to form a connection with fellow Illini signee Bryce Douglas, and the two text regularly and hang out because they live close to each other. 

Beckman called Bailey “as good of a person that I’ve ever met.”

Academics played into Bailey’s final decision of Illinois, and that’s for real with him. The 6-foot-2, 215-pound four-star recruit could have gone just about anywhere and turned down offers from Nebraska, Ohio State and Notre Dame.

Bailey watched as Illinois went 2-10 in 2012, with an offense that finished next to last in the FBS. Chris Beatty, the man who recruited him and was a large factor in Bailey’s decision, was fired in December. But the quarterback still says he has no regrets. 

“It got me excited to try and help,” Bailey said. “I just want to come in and do my best to contribute, help the team out. I just felt that this was the best way for me to prosper as an athlete.”

Beckman said he talked to Bailey three or four times a week, and Bailey said he’s in constant contact with new offensive coordinator Bill Cubit. Even with the coordinator change, Beckman said he thinks Bailey will fit right in with the new system.

“I think the one thing about Bill Cubit … is that his willingness (to adapt) and thought process based on his personnel,” Beckman said. “And being able to utilize his personnel on his offense.”

Now the question becomes where Bailey fits in for the 2013 team. Senior Nathan Scheelhaase is the quarterback and leader of the Illini and for three years has been the starter. Illinois still doesn’t seem entirely sure what to do with Reilly O’Toole, who was a heralded recruit out of college and has never been given the full confidence as the starting quarterback.

Bailey could redshirt and possibly take control of the team next season after Scheelhaase is gone. But Beckman isn’t ruling out the possibility of Bailey playing during his freshman season. Bailey would like to play during his first year but said he’s just glad to have a chance to compete for the job. 

That’s what Beckman and his staff sold most Illinois recruits on — in his office hangs a sign with the words “Illini Immediate Impact.”  

“I’m very proud of the way that our staff has gone out and recruited with only having two wins,” Beckman said. “These players who are committed to us, (they) are saying, ‘Hey, I’ve got a chance, I’ve got a chance to be an immediate impact on the Illini program. I’m excited about going there because I’ve got a chance to play.’”

Bailey led Bolingbrook High School to a Class 8A state championship two years ago in Memorial Stadium and said he never could have imagined that he would be signing to play his home games at Illinois. It wasn’t real until he signed his name Wednesday.

Jamal can be reached at [email protected] and @JamalCollier