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Illinois football makes top 4 for Texas recruit, commitment date set

Bret Bielema is looking to land another big-time recruit, and Illinois football has made the top four for this Texas star.
ByRees Woodcock|
Oct 19, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini players wear the throwback helmets and uniforms in honor of legendary Red Grange and the 100th anniversary of Memorial Stadium before the game against the Michigan Wolverines. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images
Oct 19, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini players wear the throwback helmets and uniforms in honor of legendary Red Grange and the 100th anniversary of Memorial Stadium before the game against the Michigan Wolverines. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images | Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

It has been a very long time since the Illinois football fanbase has gotten to experience a great recruiting class.

The last group of players that came into the program to really knock my socks off was the class of 2007. This group of Illini players consisted of two five-star recruits, one of whom was one of the best athletes we have had come through the program in Arrelious Benn.

While the class of 2026 doesn’t have multiple five-star commitments, what this class has is quality and depth. We are stacking the group with extremely talented players from top to bottom, and with 22 commitments, there is no shortage of talent. Illinois isn’t done adding players either.

On Tuesday, Tucker Ashford took to social media to announce that he has cut his list down to just four teams. The four programs to make his top list include Vanderbilt, Houston, Kansas State, and Illinois.

Ashford isn’t going to let his recruitment drag on that long either. He has set a commitment date for July 4. That is when he will pick his new home.

The four programs Ashford will choose from all had official visits, the most recent two coming to Illinois on June 6 and Houston on June 12. All four teams would welcome this kid with open arms, too.

Ashford is a 6-foot-3, 240-pound edge from Fort Worth Christian High School in Texas. He is rated as a three-star recruit and ranked as the No. 444 player in the class of 2026. He is also the No. 41 edge in the country and the No. 60 player coming out of Texas.

Texas is providing some great defensive talent for the Illinois football program

With the previous coaching regime, Texas was always a place the Illini could go for a recruit or two. Bret Bielema has taken that and built on Illinois’ presence in the Lone Star State.

For the 2026 class, Illinois already has three commitments from Texas. We just landed Isaiah Williams, who will man the secondary at the safety position. He is the No. 549 player in the country.

Joining Williams are two players who will help the second level of the Illini defense. Jaylen Stewart pledged to the Illini just days ago, and he is an edge who is the No. 604 player in the class of 2026. Illinois then has Kaedyn Cobbs, a linebacker, who is the No. 1037 player in the country.

Adding Ashford would be huge for the Illini. He would give us two edge players who could form into nice outside linebackers. Bielema would likely use them in the role that Gabe Jacas plays, and just look what he is forming into. A likely top-three round NFL Draft pick in 2026.

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