It is going to be hard for the Illinois football team to have a run of defensive backs like we have had the past few years, but this program is going to try.
The Illini have developed so many quality cornerbacks and safeties since Bret Bielema took over the program. We had a top-five NFL Draft pick with Devon Witherspoon. Sydney Brown just won a Super Bowl. Nate Hobbs cashed in with a big contract.
I could go on and on about the success this program has had in the defensive backfield, but my big question now is can Illinois replicate that success? Bielema has a tough task on his hands, but he is doing a great job bringing in talent who could possibly be the next great player.
On Monday, another big-time defensive back joined the party. Almirian Thomas took to social media to announce that he was committing to Illinois.
Thomas is a 6-foot-1, 175-pound cornerback from Cape Coral High School in Florida. He is rated as a three-star recruit and ranked as the No. 565 player in the class of 2026. Thomas is also the No. 52 cornerback in the country and the No. 87 player coming out of Florida.
Let’s do it🟠🔵🟠🔵@Recruit2Illini pic.twitter.com/eNrgtW4BoZ
— 3⭐️ Almirianthomas (@AlmirianThomast) April 14, 2025
The offer list for Thomas isn’t huge, but it is solid. He had scholarship offers from teams like Minnesota, Indiana, and Michigan State, to name a few. The Illini ended up winning out, though.
The list of Illinois football defensive backs to head to the NFL is only going to continue to grow
Illinois didn’t just land a solid defensive back with the commitment of Thomas, we are getting a true athlete in every sense of the word. Williams has good speed and nice vision with the football. He can see the field well, and this helps him close in on the ball carrier or wide receiver.
Williams will now join an Illinois roster that is poised to put more talent into the next level. I mentioned some of the most recent NFL talent above. You can add Kerby Joseph, the NFL leader in interceptions, Tony Adams, and Quan Martin to that list, too.
I think the next in line is Xavier Scott. If he had declared for the 2025 NFL Draft, I think he would have been selected. Instead, he is coming back and will likely be a top-five-round pick next year.
There are a few sneaky Illini defensive backs who I think could rise up NFL scouts’ lists, too. Torrie Cox Jr. had good moments in 2024. Matthew Bailey is a menace. And Miles Scott can also play.
Williams made a good decision by picking Illinois. We can develop defensive backs into NFL-quality talent. Williams is going to be one of those players.