Leys grabs Big Ten opportunity
The Saddleback football program was back in the news this weekend with the announcement that another player from the 2022 squad has given a commitment to a four-year university. Offensive lineman Will Leys has given a commitment to the University of Illinois.
Leys played offensive line for Saddleback in 2022, earning All-National Division Southern League recognition. He is the third offensive lineman from the 2022 team to make a commitment to a four-year university and the 18th player overall.
The University of Illinois is located in Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, and plays an NCAA DI schedule within the Big Ten Conference. Illinois finished 8-5 overall and 5-4 in conference play in 2022, playing in the ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa, Florida.
Leys (6'3, 290) decided on Illinois over offers from Buffalo, Texas State, Delaware State, Tennessee Tech, Western Illinois, Northern Colorado, New Mexico, Missouri State and Northern Colorado. He came to Saddleback from Servite High School where he lettered in football and rugby before graduating in 2021.
2022 Team Commitments (in alphabetical order):
| Player | Position | New School |
| William Cvar | OL | Pikeville |
| Billy Durocher | TE | Liberty |
| Kapena Gushiken | DB | Washington State |
| Joseph Hall | DL | San Diego State |
| Jayce Hunter | DB | UTEP |
| Deonte Jackson | DB | Chadron State |
| Roee Lachmish | OL | Bryant |
| Will Leys | OL | Illinois |
| Simeon Marton | WR | Chadron State |
| Darius Maxwell | WR | Lincoln |
| Austin McKinney | DB | Northwest Missouri State |
| Zachary Roebuck | WR | Lincoln |
| Brian Shearer | TE | Angelo State |
| Jordan Smith | RB | Colorado State |
| Daniel Stokes | WR | Minot State |
| Kyle Thomas | DB | Northern Arizona |
| Kanious Vaughn | DL | UTEP |
| Mason Young | DB | Idaho State |