Compared to many of his Class of 2023 Big Board peers, Braeden Scoles took his time with recruiting. 

But after collecting three Wisconsin state titles and adding to his resume last week with a third-place Junior freestyle finish in Fargo, Scoles has landed on a decision. 

He’ll continue his wrestling career at Illinois. Scoles announced his decision Monday on Instagram. 

Ranked #29 on the 2023 Big Board, Scoles had been one of three uncommitted prospects left in the top 30, along with #7 Jim Mullen and #11 Marc-Anthony McGowan. His commitment gives Illinois a second 2023 Big Board commitment to go with #14 Kannon Webster. 

Scoles popped onto recruiting radars in the spring of 2021 when he placed fourth in a loaded 71-kilogram bracket at the Cadet World Team Trials. Most recently, he went 7-1 in Fargo on his way to a third-place finish at 160. He reached the semis before dropping a 10-8 decision against Super 32 champ Nicco Ruiz.