Illinois football lands some crucial help to the offensive line in 2026

The Illinois football team opened the season with one of the best offensive lines in the country.

They were supposed to have a stout front five, with analysts like Steven Lassan ranking the Illini No. 16 in their top-25 preseason rankings. The problem is that as the season progressed, we learned that the aforementioned "stoutness" was not going to be the case.

It has been a bit of a rough stretch for this team's offensive line. Their 2.7 sacks allowed per game ranks them No. 112 out of 136 programs, and they will be losing both of their tackles (J.C. Davis and Melvin Priestly) to graduation.

It would be hard to go from these two to a couple of redshirt freshmen in the blink of an eye. But it looks like they won't have to worry about it with their most recent addition to the program.

TJ Taylor, who was attending the College of the Canyons before committing to Illinois, is one of the best junior college players in the country. Nationally, he is ranked No. 9 in the country, while also being the second-best offensive tackle.

Prior to signing with the Illini, the Santa Clarita, California, product did have offers from Kentucky, North Carolina, SMU, and NC State, among others, as well. But just the other day, he publicly made his decision to don the navy and orange.

TJ Taylor should be a lock for one of Illinois' offensive tackle positions

When Taylor comes in, he will be taking over for the departing Davis or Priestly. Davis, a transfer in his own right, was voted to the All-Big Ten third team by the coaches last season. He was also the No. 8 run-blocking lineman and No. 4 pass-blocking lineman according to Pro Football Focus.

Priestly, on the other hand, was named to the Athlon Preseason All-Big Ten fourth team. He was also ranked No. 78 overall in college football by the CBS.com spring rankings. The big guy was a transfer for the Illini from Gambling State, where he played in 22 games for the Tigers and started in 15 of them.

This is a big get for Illinois' program. When this season ends, they are going to be in dire straits trying to find two new tackles to protect Luke Altmyer's successor. With "good feet" and an aggressive nature off the ball to go along with his large frame, TJ Taylor is the perfect fit to step into that role.

Bret Bielema is moving the needle with this program and creating a prime destination for some of the best players in the country. Sure, he's not spending the same NIL money that the big schools are, but he can still recruit with the best of them. He can still make things interesting in Champaign and will continue to do so as we move into 2026.