Pinckneyville star tight end Karsen Konkel announced yesterday he will play for the fighting Illini. The 6-6, 225 pounder made his announcement via Twitter yesterday. Konkel is a 3-star recruit and considered by some to be a top-20 recruit in the state. He has only played in six varsity games in his high school career. Konkel played one game as a sophomore and only half a season as a ju8nior last season before suffering a cracked tibia in his right leg in Week 5. Konkel has been impressing at football camps this summer with his athleticism and speed recording a 40-yard time of 4.69. The upcoming senior had offers from Pitt and Arkansas and interest from Ball State and Boston College. Konkel and the Panthers will open the season on August 25 when they host Red Bud.
