It is pretty impressive what the Illinois football team has done on the recruiting trail the past few seasons.
The first couple of seasons in the Bret Bielema era were about guiding the Illini in the right direction when it came to recruiting. Over the last couple of recruiting classes, Illinois has taken another step in the right direction.
Illinois’ class of 2026 ranks in the top 25 nationally. That is something I have rarely ever seen for the program. What is even crazier is that the class of 2027 has a legitimate chance to be ranked even higher.
Bielema only has one player committed right now, and that is quarterback Kamden Lopati. This was a great get for the Illini, as Lopati is a four-star recruit who is the No. 150 player in the class of 2027. He is also the No. 13 quarterback in the country and the No. 3 player coming out of Utah.
Lopati just finished up his junior year at West High School, where he torched the competition both through the air and on the ground. The star commit threw for 2,671 yards, 34 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions this season. He also had 730 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground.
The great play of Lopati helped lead West to an 11-2 record and a spot in the 5A Final Four in Utah. While his team fell short to a juggernaut Orem program, this junior campaign laid the groundwork for an even brighter future.
On Wednesday, Rivals posted the top performers of the Under Armour All-American practice. This game is always known for having the best talent in the country, and that trend continues for the 2026 game.
The top 10 was filled with elite players, and the player who took the top spot was none other than Lopati. Let that soak in for a second. Among all of the top players in the country, Rivals believes Lopati looked the best.
Under Armour All-America Day 1 top performers‼️
— Rivals (@Rivals) January 1, 2026
More from @CharlesPower and @CodyBellaire: https://t.co/wwTN6DnOJh pic.twitter.com/Mhl7QLBldI
Lopati beat out players like Texas Tech commit, five-star defensive lineman Jalen Brewster. Five-star recruits Easton Royal, Lamar Brown, and Zion Lee were also on the list, all of whom were below Loapti.
That is pretty incredible. Illinois has a quarterback commit for 2027 who was literally the best player among numerous five-star recruits. We have a special talent entering the program.
The shooting star we call Kamden Lopati has zero ceiling, and the Illinois football program is waiting with open arms
I love that Lopati is getting national love. To earn this huge accolade has to be a proud moment. He is someone who has a good head on his shoulders, too. This kid has an extremely bright future.
Let’s talk in terms of holding on to Lopati’s commitment. With his rising status, can you imagine the teams that are coming after him and the deep pockets they have? If he continues to shoot up the charts and impressing programs, it will be hard for Illinois to compete with the likes of Alabama, Ohio State, etc., and what they can offer the kid.
Regardless, Illinois has his commitment right now. Lopati is an elite player who only continues to grow as a quarterback. The great thing for the Illini is that we can probably have Lopati come into the program and start from day one.
With Luke Altmyer leaving, everything is on the table for the quarterback position. Illinois doesn’t have a proven gunslinger on the roster. If we went into the 2026 campaign with the depth chart we have right now, I would imagine Ethan Hampton is the starter, and he is a senior.
When 2027 rolls around, Lopati could easily be the best option. Granted, Bielema is going to likely go out and get a quarterback in the transfer portal, but with the talent of Lopati, we might just need a microwave player for one season.
Lopati’s runway to take over the Illinois offense is long. He has a chance to seal up his high school career in 2026 with a state championship, and then the Illinois job could be waiting with open arms. Let’s keep an eye on how high Lopati rises in the recruiting rankings, too. This kid is special.