West Michigan lineman flips commitment from WMU to Big Ten team

COOPERSVILLE, MI – For the second consecutive year, Coopersville High School will be sending an offensive lineman to the Big Ten.

J.J. Hirdes, Coopersville's senior right tackle, decommitted from Western Michigan University on Monday and announced his commitment to the University of Illinois later that day.

"First off, I'd like to thank coach (Trevor) Mendelson, coach (Lance) Taylor and the entire Western Michigan staff for all they did for me," Hirdes wrote in a social media post. "I truly appreciate the hospitality they showed, as well as them giving me the opportunity to play football at the Division-I level. I wish the program the best of luck in the future.

"However, after lots of prayer and talking with family, I have decided to decommit from Western Michigan University due to new opportunities for me and my family."

Hirdes committed to WMU in June over scholarship offers from Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan and Northern Illinois, before Illinois gave him his first Power Four offer on Oct. 12.

The Fighting Illini have been ranked as high as No. 19 in the Associated Press poll and No. 21 in the coaches poll this season, and they currently sit at 6-3 overall and 3-3 in the Big Ten, which puts them in a tie for seventh in the conference standings.

WMU is also having a successful season, with the Broncos sitting at 5-3 overall and 4-0 in the Mid-American Conference, which puts them in sole possession of first place.

With his impending move to the Big Ten, the 6-foot-6, 275-pound Hirdes is set to join former high school teammate Gabe VanSickle in the conference, as the 2024 Coopersville graduate is in the middle of his true freshman season at Ohio State.

This year, Hirdes has paved the way for Coopersville to run for 2,390 yards at 6.9 yards per carry, and the 7-3 Broncos are averaging 395 yards and 35.2 points per game heading into Friday's Division 3 district final at Forest Hills Central.