FCS All-American OL Blake Jeresaty Commits To Illinois

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- One of the nation’s best offensive lineman in Football Championship Subdivision has verbally committed to playing his final season of college football at Illinois.

Blake Jeresaty, a 2019 Associated Press All-America selection, gave his verbal pledge to the Illini program Saturday afternoon on Twitter.

Jeresaty has started 29 games at center over the last three seasons at Wofford and was named an FCS All-America selection by AP, STATS FCS, the American Football Coaches Association and Phil Steele.
Jeresaty was an anchor on a Wofford offensive line that helped pave the way for the second-ranked rushing game in FCS football at 305.8 yards per game and allowed only four sacks in a triple-option offense during a season where the Terriers finished 2019 with a 8-4 overall record that concluded with a first round loss in the NCAA FCS Playoffs.

It’s time to go B1G 🟠🔵— I’m excited to announce my commitment to The University of Illinois! Thank you to my Wofford teammates, coaches and peers for the last four years- I will always be grateful. Time to take the next step #illini pic.twitter.com/eDV8X53JhQ
— Blake Jeresaty (@Bmjeresaty) April 11, 2020

With veteran Doug Kramer being an All-Big Ten honorable mention selection for the Illini at the center position, the 290-pound graduate transfer Jeresaty could be expected to slot in at one of the guard spots during the 2020 campaign. Illinois had been searching the transfer market for the replacement of right guard Richie Petitbon after the Alabama transfer started all 12 games last season alongside Kramer and right tackle Alex Palczewski.

Jeresaty is a Charleston, S.C. native became the fifth Wofford player in school history to earn the Jacobs Blocking Trophy in the Southern Conference and the first since 2011. He is part of an offensive line that is ranked first in the nation in fewest sacks allowed, with only four. The line paved the way for the nation's second-ranked rushing attack at 305.8 yards per game. He led the team in knockdown blocks with 127 on the season. If Jeresaty can instantly make an impact at an interior line spot, Illinois will be expected in the 2020 season to have an offensive line with four seniors and highly-regarded junior (Kendrick Green) make up a combined 153 college starts.

Illinois, which has in the past few years found massive success in recruiting the transfer market under head coach Lovie Smith, has signed two transfers over the last week after New Mexico State wide receiver Desmond Dan announced his verbal commitment to the Illini football program Thursday evening. Dan will likely have two years of eligibility remaining after he graduates from NMSU this spring.