Lexington Catholic quarterback Reese Ryan looks to throw as he's rushed by a Bowling Green defender in 2012. Ryan verbally committed to Western Kentucky on Monday. (Photo by Joe Imel/Daily News)

The Western Kentucky football team picked up a high-profile in-state commit Monday from Lexington Catholic quarterback Reese Ryan.

Ryan said he chose WKU over Illinois, Akron, Murray State and Eastern Kentucky. Early in his recruitment process, he earned an offer from Charlie Strong’s staff at Louisville.

The Hilltoppers offered Ryan a scholarship at 6 p.m. Monday evening, the QB said, and he committed immediately.

“I was always hoping Western would give me the opportunity to play there,” Ryan said. “I have a really good relationship with the coaches, and I think it is a good fit for me.”

The 6-foot-2, 180-pound Ryan is rated a three-star prospect by Scout. The recruiting site ranks him the 71st-best QB in the nation in the 2015 class and second-best in Kentucky.

ESPN ranks him the 30th-best quarterback in the country in 2015.

Ryan completed 233 of 336 passes for 3,255 yards and 37 touchdowns with seven interceptions as a senior. He also rushed for 267 yards and six touchdowns as Lexington Catholic went 10-4 and lost in the Class 4A state semifinals.

The quarterback is the 21st commit in WKU’s 2015 class, which includes 13 players from Kentucky. National Signing Day is Feb. 4.

— Zach Greenwell