Illinois football has started the class of 2026 off with a bang after a huge commitment on Sunday night.
The Illini coaching staff is doing a good job juggling the recruiting scene right now. The 2025 class isn’t officially buttoned up, but over the past week, Bret Bielema has been able to flip two recruits from other programs.
These two new commitments elevated the Illinois recruiting class from sub-60 in the country to now being on the cusp of another top-50 group. That class isn’t quite finished either, as the transfer portal throws a new wrinkle into everything.
While the Illinois coaching staff is still finishing up the class of 2025, the 2026 class is already getting a start.
On Sunday night, that start was a big one. Michael Clayton II took to social media to announce that he has committed to Illinois.
BREAKING: Class of 2026 4 ⭐️ QB Michael Clayton II ( @MikeClaytonQB1 ) has committed to Illinois he tells me.
— Steezo (@SteezoDsgn) November 11, 2024
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Clayton is a 6’4 (195 LBS) Pro Style Quarterback out of Sanford, FL. He ranks as the as the 11th Pro Styled QB in 2026 and the 183 ranked recruit in the nation. Clayton… pic.twitter.com/CAxWMFi3U7
Clayton is a 6-foot-4, 195-pound quarterback from Seminole High School in Florida. He is rated as a four-star recruit and ranked as the No. 183 player in the class of 2026. He is also the No. 30 player coming out of Florida and the No. 11 pro-style quarterback in the country.
Illinois was going up against some tough competition for Clayton. We had to win out over teams like Miami, Michigan State, Missouri, Nebraska, and Ohio State, to name a few.
Michael Clayton II is going to help build a winning tradition with the Illinois football program
As of right now, the Illini can’t point to the past and say that there is a winning tradition. We haven’t had consistent winning seasons in a long time. Just getting to a bowl game every season is a good starting point.
Under Bielema, Illinois has been close to achieving that goal. We are a much better program with him at the helm. The Illini need players in the program to help continue the winning ways and make us a perennial contender in the Big Ten and beyond.
Clayton is someone who could potentially bring more winning to Champaign. He is currently in his junior season with Seminole High School, and he has the team on the cusp of a state championship.
After a season that saw Clayton miss some time with a back injury, he still managed to throw for 872 yards, 13 touchdowns, and two interceptions. He also led his Seminoles team to an 8-1 record overall, and they are in the regional quarterfinal of the 7A state championship.
Winning is in this kid’s blood. He knows how to win, and the hope is that he brings that mentality to Illinois. This was a big commitment for the Orange and Blue and one that will hopefully bring more talent into the class of 2026 as well.