Hobart linebacker Bobby Babcock goes with his heart in committing to Illinois State: ‘They showed me the most love.’

Hobart linebacker Bobby Babcock wanted to wait until national signing day in December to make his college choice.

The coronavirus pandemic altered those plans. Babcock felt he “had to make a quick decision.”

Babcock, a 6-foot, 220-pound senior, made a verbal commitment Monday to Illinois State.

He chose Illinois State over Ohio and Central Michigan because the Redbirds pursued him the most aggressively.

“Out of all the schools that recruited me, they showed me the most love,” Babcock said. “We built our bond on a personal level.”

A Post-Tribune first team all-area selection last season, Babcock was the centerpiece of a shutdown defense that helped the Brickies advance to the semistate for the first time since 1996.

Babcock finished with 84 tackles, 15 sacks and eight forced fumbles.

One of the motivations for selecting Illinois State was the chance to play right away.

“I’m not one to want to sit on the bench,” he said. “This was the best place I could go and make a big impact early.”

The Brickies, meanwhile, are loaded on defense.

Hobart’s Bobby Babcock (11) tries to slip away from the tackle of Chesterton’s Ben Slatcoff during a game on Friday, August 23, 2019. (Kyle Telechan / Post-Tribune)

Rising senior Zachary Vode, a first team all-area selection as a defensive back, just made a verbal commitment to Western Michigan.

Cam Smith, a senior linebacker, was a second team all-area selection. Tyler Turley, another senior linebacker, finished with 17 tackles for losses.

Babcock can’t wait to get the season started. He said the Brickies are so experienced they decided for now to skip live contact, which started Monday in Indiana.

“We are just running our plays,” he said. “We are very confident. I tell people that if we stay healthy, we should bring home a ring.”

Babcock is thrilled to have his college decision behind him.

“I feel relieved,” he said. “I’m glad it’s over. I’m still going to play with a chip on my shoulder.”