In the latest recruiting win for Illinois and head coach Bret Bielema, three-star safety Isaiah Williams committed to the Fighting Illini, choosing them over a long list of other power conference programs.
Williams, a Texas native, received offers from powerhouse programs like the Ohio State Buckeyes, Texas Longhorns, LSU Tigers, and more. However, the young prospect turned down the opportunity to stay close to home and is bringing his talents to Champaign.
In fact, Williams even went as far as to call Illinois home, despite growing up less than three hours from the Longhorns' home in Austin and less than five hours from the Tigers' home in Baton Rouge.
BREAKING: Class of 2026 Safety Isaiah Williams has Committed to Illinois, he tells me for @on3recruits
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) June 18, 2025
The 6’0 190 S from Missouri City, TX chose the Fighting Illini over Utah
“Illini fans I’m home let’s work 💯”https://t.co/J2HEHexXHb pic.twitter.com/W2sTUDBubF
Two hours before he announced his commitment, Williams shared an image of himself standing on a football field in orange cleats, fueling rumors that he would commit to the Fighting Illini (but simultaneously leaving room for the Horns and the Tennessee Volunteers to have hope).
Less than 10 minutes after his commitment was announced by On3's Hayes Fawcett, Williams was quick to start reposting content of fellow Illinois recruits and commits, as well as a post from his new defensive coordinator, Aaron Henry.
Illinois Fighting Illini football recruiting class of 2026
- Nasir Rankin, four-star wide receiver
- Cam Thomas, four-star athlete
- Javari Barnett, three-star running back
- Casey Thomann, three-star offensive tackle
- Jaylen Stewart, three-star EDGE
- Isaiah Williams, three-star safety
- Tony Williams, three-star linebacker
- Kenyon Alston, three-star wide receiver
- King Liggins, three-star defensive lineman
- Landen Von Seggern, three-star interior offensive lineman
- Kingston Shaw, three-star EDGE
- Parker Crim, three-star EDGE
- Michael Clayton, three-star quarterback
- Almirian Thomas, three-star cornerback
- Davon Grant, three-star wide receiver
- Tony Balanganayi, three-star interior offensive lineman
- Kaedyn Cobbs, three-star linebacker
- Will Vala, three-star tight end
- Jacob Alexander, three-star EDGE
- Kayden Bennett, three-star EDGE
- Nelsyn Wheeler, three-star running back
Bielema and the Fighting Illini have been on a recruiting tear this offseason and currently lay claim to the No. 23 recruiting class in the country for the class of 2026. In regards to the Big Ten, Illinois has the No. 8 class in the conference, leaps and bounds ahead of its 12th-place ranking for the class of 2025.
With two four-star and 19 three-star commitments in the class so far, the Fighting Illini are set up to succeed for years to come.