DL Hickcox is onboard

Rockford (Ill.) Boylan junior defensive linemen recruit Noah Hickcox (6-foot-4, 260 pounds) gave Western Michigan and head coach PJ Fleck his verbal commitment on Wednesday night.

"I jus think that Western Michigan is the best overall fit for me," Hickcox said. "I just know that Western Michigan is the best place and the best fit for me so I committed."

Hickcox discussed why he decided to end his recruiting process early and commit to the WMU Broncos.

"I was able to visit several other schools and no other school had the same feel that I got when I was at Western Michigan. WMU just has great coaches and I just connected well with the Illinois kids who have already committed. WMU offers everything that I was looking for in a school both on the field and off the field."

Hickcox also was impressed with the academics offered at WMU.

"I plan to major in Aviation and Western Michigan has the second best Aviation program in the nation. It's really a situation where even if I never played football I would still be very interested in them as a student."

With it's 2017 signing class beginning to fill up, Hickcox also knew that the clock was somewhat clicking to make a decision.

"I just didn't want to wait too long and miss out on such a great fit and a great opportunity. I talked it over with my family and my coaches and everyone is happy for me and my decision. I was ready to commit. I also have family pretty close to WMU and they can see all of my college home games."

Hickcox now becomes the sixth known State of Illinois pledge in the Broncos Class of 2017 and the seventh known verbal commitment overall for Western Michigan.

Noah Hickcox is verbally committed to Western Michigan.