Sometimes Plan B winds up being better than Plan A.
So it was for Fenwick linebacker Jack Paris, who long had been committed to Air Force and was perfectly fine with heading west to continue his football career.
Then last week, his dream school entered the picture and now Paris is going to Champaign as part of Illinois coach Bret Bielema’s 2025 class.
Paris, a 6-3, 210-pounder, made it official Wednesday afternoon during a ceremony at Fenwick.
He is one of five area players in Illinois’ 22-member 2025 class, joining Homewood-Flossmoor edge rusher Cameron Brooks, Eisenhower safety Andre Lovett, Andrew offensive lineman Michael McDonough and Hersey tight end Logan Farrell.
Paris was the area’s lone high-profile signee on the first day of football’s late signing period, which has faded in significance as college coaches increasingly turn to the transfer portal to build rosters.
The high school players who do get recruited now almost all finalize their college plans during the early signing period in December. And most college coaches like to have their recruiting done then, as more incoming players come to campus in time for spring practice.
But Bielema held open a spot, and it went to Paris.
“I’ve been talking to Illinois coaches for a few months,” Paris said. “They really talked to me last Tuesday and really wanted me to come on my official visit this last weekend. … It’s always been my dream to play Big Ten football and most especially in my home state. …
“I went on the visit and coach Bielema gave me the news I’ve been wanting to hear for a while. … And I committed on the spot.”
Paris had another Power Four offer from Vanderbilt, along with offers from three Ivy League schools and all three service academies.
“His situation was a little different because the service academies have different recruiting rules,” Fenwick coach Matt Battaglia said. “Their signing day is a lot different than every other school. So I think Air Force being Jack’s other top choice benefitted him in this situation.”
Paris is Fenwick’s second Big Ten recruit in the 2025 cycle, joining Michigan-bound edge rusher Nate Marshall, a four-star prospect who’s a consensus top-45 player nationally.
“It’s awesome,” Paris said. “We are joking around about it already. [Marshall is] one of my best buddies. We’d be watching film after practice every day. … When he signed with Michigan, I was super happy for him. When I signed with Illinois, he couldn’t be more happy with me.”
Paris is a multitalented athlete from a sports-minded family. He also wrestles for the Friars, owning a 35-8 record at 190 pounds heading into this week’s regionals, and played baseball as a freshman and sophomore. His dad Marty wrestled at Drake, his mom Kerry played volleyball at St. Norbert, and his older brother Conor is a running back at Toledo.
“I have twin older brothers [Conor and Martin] and I’d always be playing with their friends in the backyard,” Paris said. “So I say I grew up with a football in my hand.”