Illini land Benet lineman Flavin

Updated: March 23, 2011 12:26PM

Illinois football coach Ron Zook has added another local recruit to his next recruiting class, landing Benet offensive tackle Pat Flavin.

Flavin, a 6-7, 250-pounder, joins a group of Illini recruits in the prep Class of 2011 that also includes Sun-Times Player of the Year Reilly O'Toole, who quarterbacked Wheaton Warrenville South to the last two Class 7A titles, and Joliet Catholic running back Josh Ferguson.

"He likes the coaches a lot there," Benet coach Pat New said of Flavin and Illinois. "He had a visit to Champaign last weekend and the visit went really well."

Boston College and Purdue also were among Flavin's finalists, according to New.

"Two-and-a-half hours from home, rather than going to the East Coast or West Coast, is a difference maker," the Benet coach said. "And Big Ten football is still big-time."

New sees a bright future for Flavin in college.

"One thing I learned going through the recruiting process, they're going to put good weight on him," New said. "I think he'll be successful for a couple of reasons, his work ethic and his athletic ability for that size frame."

CBS College Sports recruiting analyst Tom Lemming also expects big things from Flavin.

"He's one of the most athletic linemen in the Midwest," Lemming said. "It's a very good commitment for Illinois."

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