For the next two years, all DeKalb sophomore Fabian Lopez has to worry about is winning more state championships.

The reigning 126-pound Class 3A state champ announced he has committed to the University of Illinois.

“Not a lot of sophomores can verbally commit – some do, but not a lot are willing to go there and have a future there,” Lopez said. “It’s rare you see a sophomore commit, especially in wrestling. They all want to have big senior years, and no one wants to verbal.

The two-time Daily Chronicle Wrestler of the Year was second in the state as a freshman and won a state title this year.

In March, he said he hadn’t had much contact with colleges but had some thoughts about where he wanted to go.

“Obviously the Big Ten is ideal, but whatever college loves me, whatever college offers the most is where I’m going to go,” Lopez said last month. “I’d rather go to a school that loves me then a high-rep school.”

Lopez said what changed is that he found that school.

“I can tell they want me,” Lopez said. “I have worked out with their coaches and stuff at camps, and I know they’re good coaches. I verbaled just because I have a future there, and they all know my style. I can’t go wrong verbaling there.”

The Illini went 7-4 in duals last year, 6-3 in the Big Ten and tied for 13th at the NCAA national championships.

Jim Hefferman just wrapped up his eighth year as coach of the program.

Lopez said taking care of committing this early leaves him one less thing to worry about over the next two years.

“It’s still a lot of pressure to get my grades up,” Lopez said, “and stay good at wrestling to keep a spot on that team.”