Christmas Commitment: Illinois lands four-star defensive end
Owen Carney’s commitment to Illinois isn’t a grab for early playing time. It’s not based on the fact that his high school classmate, wide receiver Carmoni Green, is also committed to the Illini. It has a little to do with the coaching staff’s NFL pedigree, sure, but that’s not the bulk of it.
Instead, Carney says his decision was based on relationships. The four-star defensive end’s commitment to head coach Lovie Smith’s program is the product of old-fashioned recruiting.
“It’s about the relationships I’ve built, especially the one with my recruiting coordinator, Coach [Thad] Ward,” Carney said. “From the first day I talked to him on the phone, it has been nothing but great. There’s a lot of honesty and trust. When I call one coach – no matter who I call – I get to talk to all the coaches, so I feel like I have a relationship with everyone. I feel like that with the guys that aren’t my position coach or even on my side of the ball. They all know me. It’s a family thing.”
His Christmas day announcement was a formality of sorts, as Carney’s mind had been made up for weeks. This wasn’t a rushed choice or an 11th-hour decision. This, like Carney’s larger personality, was measured.
“I made up my mind around Thanksgiving or the first week of December,” Carney said. “That’s when I think I knew for sure. I just wanted to wait to actually do it.”
As for his relationship with Green, Carney admits it played a part. His high school teammate’s previous commitment to the Illini wasn’t a driving force behind Carney’s own decision, but it certainly didn’t hurt things.
Familiarity breeds comfort, after all.
“He helped a lot,” Carney said of Green. “He did a good job of staying on me. I see him every day, so I could never avoid it. It was my choice, but he was very effective.”
Green has already started to talk Xs and Os with the Illinois staff. There’s plenty to learn, sure. Carney will start that process when he arrives on campus. For now, however, the newest member of the Illini football program seems like a player that has a specific role in mind.
“They have Carroll Phillips and Dawuane Smoot going to the NFL,” Carney said. “I would be replacing Carroll Phillips at end coming from the blind side. They have a lot of good D-ends in the system, so I think it’s a perfect spot for me.”
The No. 16 weakside defensive end in the class of 2016, Carney played his senior season at Miami Central High School. He chose Illinois over a number of major scholarship offers.
