East St. Louis standout quarterback Robert “Pops” Battle committed to play at Lindenwood. (Photo: Thomas Grove)

Cedric Williams
Senior Editor

ST. CHARLES, MO — One of the top rising senior quarterbacks in the state of Illinois, and perhaps the top high school quarterback in the St. Louis area coming into the 2023 fall season, announced on Friday that he will be staying close to home for college.

East St. Louis (IL) standout signal-caller Robert “Pops” Battle made the official announcement on his Twitter account that he has committed to Lindenwood University, and will begin his college career at the second-year Division I school, which competes in the Ohio Valley Conference, in 2024.

A 6-foot, 170-pound dual-threat quarterback who will finish his high school career as a four-year starter, Battle turned in an outstanding junior campaign last fall when he led East St. Louis to a 12-2 record and the Illinois Class 6A state championship.

He completed 60.4 percent of his passes for 2,123 yards, with 23 touchdowns, just five interceptions, while also rushing for 733 yards and 11 more scores.

As a sophomore, Battle threw for 2,847 yards with 30 touchdowns and seven interceptions and ran for 390 yards and eight touchdowns as the Flyers went 11-3 and finished as the runner-up in Class 6A.

Battle completed 65.4 percent of his passes for 1,460 yards and 13 touchdowns (against four interceptions) as a freshman. He added 367 yards and five touchdowns on the ground as East St. Louis went 5-1 in an abbreviated six-game spring season due to COVID concerns that cancelled the campaign in the fall of 2020.

Following that shortened season, Battle was named Illinois High School Association Newcomer of the Year. He was also named to the St. Louis Post Dispatch’s All-Metro team following his sophomore and junior seasons.

Lindenwood will begin its 2023 season on August 31, when it will host Wisconsin-Stevens Point at Hunter Stadium. Kickoff for the 2023 season opener is set for 6 p.m.