The Fighting Illini football coaching staff has been searching for another quarterback to replace Wes Lunt, and they may have just found their man. JUCO prospect Dwayne Lawson announced a commitment to the Orange and Blue via his Twitter page on Monday night. He will have two seasons of eligibility remaining, starting with the upcoming 2017 campaign.

The 6-foot-6, 220-pound passer originally attended Virginia Tech, where he was once the program’s highest-rated quarterback since Tyrod Taylor.

Proud to say Imma be marching out with these boys next fall to Memorial stadium ‼️ pic.twitter.com/rg8O1Whxax — Dwayne Lawson (@dlaw95) December 6, 2016

Lawson threw for 51 yards and ran for 55 and a touchdown in limited action as a true-freshman with the Hokies. After finding himself towards the bottom of the depth chart with the arrival of new coach Justin Fuente, Lawson opted for the JUCO route. Fuente had the following to say about his departure:

“Our coaches and staff at Virginia Tech invested significant effort in providing Dwayne the support and resources to be successful as a both a student and an athlete, as did coach [Frank] Beamer and his staff. After conversation with Dwayne, he felt leaving our football program would be in his best interest. We wish Dwayne the best at Hutchinson Community College.”

Lawson was originally rated as a four-star high school prospect by both ESPN and 247Sports; he was the No. 29 overall quarterback and No. 7 dual threat recruit. The Florida native once held other notable Power 5 scholarship offers from Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Michigan State, Ohio State, and Miami (FL), whom he once verbally committed to prior to signing his Letter of Intent.

Dwyane Lawson JUCO Highlights

Dwyane Lawson Senior Year Highlights