It is not going to be easy, but the ultimate goal for the Illinois football program is the College Football Playoff.
Over the last couple of seasons, we have sniffed what it would be like to get to the CFP. Bret Bielema has put together a solid program, and there is a ton of returning talent to the roster from last season.
With that being said, Illinois needed to fill some voids on the depth chart. There were key positions that needed to be filled, and some position groups that needed a boost. Bielema went out and got some great new talent to help bolster the roster. Some may even get this program over the top.
Here are five Illinois football newcomers who will be key in securing a spot in the College Football Playoff
- Katin Houser – Quarterback
Luke Altmyer got Illinois in the conversation of the College Football Playoff, but he could never get us over the hump. Bielema needed an answer now that Altmyer is gone. That answer is Katin Houser.
Houser comes in after throwing for 3,300 yards and 19 touchdowns with East Carolina last season. He is our starting quarterback, and the Illini will be riding with him for good or bad. He will be the driver on whether or not Illinois is in the conversation once again.
- Jayshon Platt – Wide Receiver
I think Houser has chemistry with a lot of the Illinois wide receivers already, but one of the newcomers who could emerge as the No. 1 option is Jayshon Platt.
Platt joined the program from Florida Atlantic, where he had 46 receptions for 720 yards and five touchdowns last season. I love Hudson Clement and Collin Dixon, but having another top option like Platt will help spread out the defense. Don’t be shocked if Platt leads the Illini in receiving yards, and if we make the College Football Playoff, it will be largely due to his presence on the field.
- Christian Martin – Left Tackle
Illinois pretty much has an entirely new offensive line. That means the left tackle position was open before the season started. I believe Christian Martin will be manning this role.
The left tackle position is one of the most important on the field. He is protecting Houser’s blind spot, and that is crucial in any Illinois success. We have to keep Houser upright and mobile, or the season could come crashing down. The addition of Martin from Colorado State in the offense was extremely underrated for the Illini. If Illinois wants any chance at the College Football Playoff, the 6-foot-7, 300-pound beast at left tackle will need to have a flawless 2026 campaign.
- Will Holmes – Defensive Line
What I love about the Illini is the fact that even if you come into the program playing a certain position, the coaching staff moves you around to elevate your skills. Will Holmes joined Illinois as a linebacker, but he has moved to the defensive line. His skill set is going to be great for the program.
The 6-foot-4, 255-pound monster had 45 tackles and two sacks last season with Utah State. He is going to be used in a lot of ways in the front seven, and defensive coordinator Bobby Hauck is fawning over him. With Illinois having to replace the entire defensive line, I think Holmes could be a key to anything happening up front for the Orange and Blue. If he has the season most think he can have, Illinois has a chance to wreck some offenses and get in the College Football Playoff discussion.
- Jakwon Morris – Cornerback
Illinois has a lot of defensive back talent returning for the 2026 season. That is exciting, but there was a hole in the secondary at cornerback that needed to be filled. We needed a boost to help lock down the defensive backfield. That boost was Jakwon Morris.
Morris was the top-rated junior college cornerback in the class of 2026, and he was the No. 5 overall JUCO player. I think Morris immediately gets inserted into the starting depth chart and never looks back. Illinois needed a playmaker at cornerback. We have Xavier Scott coming off an injury, and there are a couple of other nice pieces, but Morris can take Illinois’ pass defense over the top. To get to the College Football Playoff, we have to shut down the pass. Morris can do that.
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