Going into the weekend Fort Walton Beach, Florida defensive tackle Akeem Spence knew he would have to make his decision soon. He just didn't realize how soon he would actually make it.

The 6-foot-1, 280-pound lineman took his last official visit of the recruiting process to Illinois and he made his decision while he was still on campus.

"Yes sir, I committed to Illinois," Spence confirmed on Sunday just after noon. "The recruiting class they're bringing in and the players they have are great, and I'm just in love with the school.

"We toured the facilities and they have a real nice stadium of course. We went to the basketball game and did some of the usual."

The Illinois coaches were ecstatic to hear of Spence's decision.

"They loved it," he said. "They're bringing in two defensive tackles now. They were excited to hear it."

Spence had not anticipated making his decision so soon. He had just returned from Syracuse last weekend and had taken an official to Iowa State in October.

"I was just talking to the players and the recruits that would be coming in with me," he explained. "Most of the guys were already committed. We all sat down to chat and the next thing you know I committed."

Spence said his decision came down to Illinois, NC State, Syracuse and South Florida. He said he is a solid verbal for the Illini.

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