Illinois football needs help on the offensive line right now, let alone in the near future.
Once the 2025 campaign ends, the Illini will likely be without four out of the five starting offensive linemen from this season. That is a lot of talent to replace, and if you do it with freshmen, you are in for a long season.
Bret Bielema will surely hit the transfer portal hard after the 2025 season comes to an end. Right now, the head coach is doing some work trying to land players who have post-high school playing careers.
This past Monday, JaKolby Jones took to social media to announce he has received a scholarship offer from Illinois.
After a great conversation with @JonProto_ I’m blessed to receive my 24th offer from @IlliniFootball @coachfleming17 #AGTG #BIG10 pic.twitter.com/cbA1eoqmk9
— JaKolby Jones (@Kolby_J57) October 28, 2025
Jones is a 6-foot-4, 285-pound offensive tackle from Copiah-Lincoln Community College in Louisiana. He is rated as a three-star recruit and ranked as the No. 58 JUCO player in the class of 2026. Jones is also the No. 9 JUCO offensive tackle in the country and the No. 23 JUCO coming out of Louisiana.
The list of teams that are vying for Jones’ services is long. He has roughly 29 scholarship offers on the table right now, but I believe Illinois is the biggest program to come in with interest.
There isn’t much relief in sight for Illinois football when it comes to offensive tackle
Illinois clearly needs more talent from top to bottom on the offensive line. JC Davis is a great offensive tackle for the program, but he is gone after this season.
Melvin Priestly is Illinois’ right tackle. He is about average for the program, but he is also gone from the team after the 2025 season concludes. I am not sure there is much of a game plan after both of those guys depart. That is the scary part.
Who knows if someone like Jones can play at the high FBS level, but there is one thing I do know. Jones would provide depth and options. Illinois needs both for 2026.