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Illinois football capped off a big run of recruiting with a key flip from an offensive weapon

The Illinois football program has had a bountiful stretch of commitments over the past number of days, especially with this three-star running back flipping his commitment from Colorado.
ByKellen Sherman|
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Dec 30, 2025; Nashville, TN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema calls time out against the Tennessee Volunteers during the second half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
Dec 30, 2025; Nashville, TN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema calls time out against the Tennessee Volunteers during the second half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images | Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

The Illinois football program continues to build a strong foundation for the future, with their last seven commitments coming within the last ten days.

Bret Bielema has been on a tear when it comes to building the Illini roster, snagging commitments from top-notch talent like four-star wide receiver Bennett Konkey, as well as three-star quarterback Sladen Slack.

On Tuesday, Illinois was able to secure another big commitment, as the program was able to flip three-star running back Steven Alexis from the Colorado Buffaloes.

Alexis, a product of St. Petersburg, Florida, is ranked as the No. 87 running back and the No. 117 player in the state of Florida. The standout tailback is coming off a stellar 2025 season, rushing for 1,113 yards and nine touchdowns on 124 rushing attempts.

The Gibbs High School senior will eventually join an Illinois backfield that includes junior Ca'Lil Valentine, as well as incoming freshmen Javari Barnett and Nelsyn Wheeler.

Steven Alexis will add major depth to a position where Illinois needs it the most

Last season, Illinois' backfield was in the middle of the pack when it came to production, ranking No. 89 in the country with 138.1 rushing yards per game. There wasn't one running back who stood out from the rest, so Alexis has a chance to make a big impact in a short amount of time.

Alexis is coming in at a very underrated position in the national rankings, but has a skill set that can really set him apart from the rest of the pack. When it comes to his speed, Alexis is a burner when he finds open space to work, clocking in with a 4.4-second 40-yard dash and a 10.7-second 100-meter sprint.

As of right now, Alexis will most likely be seen as a change-of-pace back when he arrives in Champaign in 2027, especially with Valentine entering his senior season. But if he can continue to elevate his game in his final year of high school, he has a chance to be a real difference maker when he finally joins the team.

Simply put, expect Alexis to be an intriguing running back to watch in 2027, with a ton of upside down the stretch.

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