Chambana Sun

Illinois has completed its 2025 signing class with the addition of linebacker Jack Paris from Fenwick High School. Paris, a three-star recruit, was named the 2024 Chicago Catholic League White Defensive Player of the Year and played a key role in leading Fenwick to the second round of the 2024 IHSA 7A State Playoffs.

Jack Paris hails from River Forest, Illinois, and stands at 6-foot-3, weighing 215 pounds. During his high school career under head coach Matthew Battaglia at Fenwick, Paris achieved numerous accolades including being named to the 2024 Chicago Catholic League White All-Conference and Shaw Suburban All-Area teams. He also served as team captain for Fenwick in 2024 and was recognized as an Academic All-State player in 2023.

In his junior year, Paris recorded impressive statistics with 83 tackles, 35 tackles for loss, 19 pass breakups, and two forced fumbles among other achievements. Besides football, he participated in wrestling, baseball, and track during high school and qualified for state-level competitions in wrestling.

Paris received offers from several institutions including Akron, Army, Ball State, Central Michigan, Cornell, Eastern Michigan, Kent State, Navy, Northern Illinois, Penn, Princeton, Toledo, Vanderbilt, and Wyoming before committing to Illinois.

The complete list of recruits joining Illinois includes Grant Beerman (LB), Carson Boyd (QB), Cameron Brooks (DL), Tywan Cox (DB), Logan Farrell (TE), John Forster (RB), Dylan Frechette (OL), Erik Gayle (OLB), JJ Hirdes (OL), RJ Jones III (DB), Ismael Kante (LB), Andre Lovett (DB), Michael McDonough (OL), Jershaun Newton (QB), Griffin Rousseau (OL), Xanai Scott (DB), Grant Smith (TE), Desmond Straughton (DB), Brayden Trimble (WR) and Isaiah White (DL).