An injury cost Hersey’s Logan Farrell his senior football season, but he hasn’t been sitting around feeling sorry for himself.
The three-star tight end has stayed busy, both with the playoff-bound Huskies and beyond. He recently flipped his commitment from North Carolina to Illinois, giving Fighting Illini coach Bret Bielema another elite in-state recruit.
“It’s been a long time coming,” Farrell said. “UI was my first Power Five offer. They never really stopped recruiting me even after I committed.
“They told me, ‘We’re going to get you,’ still kept developing the relationship. The last few weeks, they’ve been doing a great job.”
Farrell was on hand when century-old Memorial Stadium was filled to capacity for the Michigan game last week. The Illini, wearing throwback uniforms and helmets painted to resemble old-time headgear, beat defending national champion Michigan 21-7.
“My goodness, it was amazing,” Farrell said of watching fans storm the field and soaking up the atmosphere of a program on the rise.
At No. 17, Farrell is the Illini’s second-highest in-state recruit in the 2025 class after Mount Zion receiver Brayden Trimble
(No. 12). With Andrew offensive lineman Michael McDonough (No. 21) and Eisenhower safety Andre Lovett (No. 22), Illinois has commitments from four of the state’s top 22 seniors in the 247Sports composite ratings.
Recruiting hasn’t been all Farrell has been up to.
“I’ve transitioned to becoming the drone pilot for our team,” the 6-3, 235-pounder said. “A $3,000 drone, it’s so sick. I’m kind of jealous, the film is better than I had the last two years.”
Last week, Farrell passed the 12-week mark since surgery to repair an anterior cruciate ligament injury, and he just started running again.
“My upper body [work] has not stopped since I got hurt,” he said.
While many top football prospects graduate early and head off to spring practice with their new college teams, Farrell isn’t going anywhere yet. He’s a three-time state medalist in the throws, finishing third in the shot put just behind teammate (and current Iowa lineman) Will Nolan last spring.
“It’s really neat to have one last ride,” he said.
National recruiting analyst Clint Cosgrove views Farrell as a throwback.
“Back when they had the fullback, he would have been a national recruit,” Cosgrove said. “In today’s game, they’re a tight-end, H-back type.
“He’s a phenomenal blocker, and he does have the speed to create mismatches with linebackers especially.”
Clark flips to Washington State
Farrell isn’t the only high-profile senior to change his commitment recently.
Morgan Park defensive back Jovan Clark, who initially committed to Wyoming, flipped to Washington State as a linebacker.
Clark, a three-star prospect, is ranked 24th among Illinois seniors.
“That’s a big pick-up for them,” Cosgrove said. “They have Midwest ties on that staff.”
At 6-foot and 195 pounds, Clark offers rare versatility at the next level.
“One play he’s a safety, and then he can just roll into the box,” Cosgrove said. “He’s got a great motor.
“He’s phenomenal in space, sees the ball fantastically. He can play nickel, he can play inside [linebacker], he can play outside, he can play safety.”