Illinois football is always looking for talent to add to the roster, and we are one step closer to pulling in a big-time recruit.
The 2025 season didn’t go as planned, and I would say the running back situation followed suit. I was expecting more out of the position group, as Kaden Feagin is the leading rusher for the Illini at 486 yards.
Bret Bielema needs to do many things this offseason, and one area to address is the offensive line. Illinois needs blockers up front who can help open holes for our running backs. Especially if the Illini can land someone like Tristian Willis.
On Tuesday, Willis took to social media to announce that he has cut his top list down to just eight teams. The eight programs to make the cut included Cal, Purdue, Kansas State, Arizona State, Missouri, Kansas, TCU, and Illinois.
My recruitment is 100% still open, but these are the schools I’ve built the strongest relationships with. This right here is my Top 8 @adamgorney @HoustonHero713 @BHoward_11 @JeremyO_Johnson @JScruggs247 @Perroni247 @GPowersScout @jackson_dip @SWiltfong_ @Tre_LandoTFL @samspiegs pic.twitter.com/iVvRfxA961
— TristanWillis (@TristanWillis27) November 25, 2025
This would be a great get for any of the eight programs. Willis is a 5-foot-9, 195-pound running back from Shadow Creek High School in Texas. He is rated as a four-star recruit and ranked as the No. 316 player in the class of 2027. He is also the No. 24 running back in the country and the No. 47 player coming out of Texas.
While the depth chart is impressive, the Illinois football running back competition is wide open
I had some really high hopes for the Illini running backs this season. I think the offensive line really let us down, and injuries weren’t a friend of the program, either.
With that being said, none of the Illinois running backs cemented themselves as the future of this team. We have talented ball carriers, but none of them have stood out yet.
When 2027 rolls around, Aidan Laughery and Feagin will both have departed. Ca’Lil Valentine would be a senior, and whatever Cedric Wyche II and John Forster end up being, they would both be sophomores.
Willis would have the chance to come into the Illinois program and compete from day one. The running back position will be up for grabs, and landing another four-star will only help strengthen the position group.