Brown talks commitment status

BELLE GLADE, Fla. - Miami (Fla.) Norland inside linebacker Keith Brown committed to Illinois in mid-November after taking an official visit. Not two weeks after that point, the coach he committed to was dismissed when the Illini parted ways with Ron Zook.

"I was saddened by it but I am still heavily committed," Brown said of his reaction to the news. "Until I hear something else, I am still committed."

Brown saw coaches from Illinois on Thursday at Norland.

"They came to the school yesterday and they were just letting me know the possible names for the coaching staff," Brown said. "What I am hearing is pretty good."

"What they were saying is Michigan State defensive coordinator (Pat Narduzzi) or Oklahoma State offensive coordinator (Todd Monken)," Brown said.

Another element that played into Brown's decision to pledge to Illinois is that they also accepted a commitment from his brother and fellow Norland linebacker Lamar Atkins.

"Major factor," Brown said of his brother's commitment influencing his. "He has colleges looking at him now. If he gets a scholarship, then I am on my own, I am my own man. Until then, it is me and my brother."

If Brown is to look elsewhere, he will have interested parties. According to Brown, schools such as Miami, Ohio State, Louisville, Florida State, and South Florida have seen him in the past week. While he contends he is still committed to the Illini, he is paying attention to those who are showing him attention.

"I am listening," Brown said. "I still have one more visit, so I have to pick it wisely. It is coming soon."

Brown, who is an early enrollee, has previously taken official visits to Clemson, Illinois, Purdue, and South Florida. He said that he intends to take an unofficial visit to Miami before he is set to enroll.