The class of 2026 has started off with a blaze, as the Illinois football team continues to land players who will help the program in the near future.
I was already impressed with how the Illini were putting this great class together. Bret Bielema had six commitments and a top-25 recruiting class entering Saturday, and things only got better from there.
Victor Singleton took to social media to announce his commitment. He could have gone nearly anywhere, but the talented defensive back decided Illinois was the place to be.
HOME 🙏🏿 https://t.co/okj6lOYTCc
— Victor singleton (@victorsin__) February 1, 2025
Singleton is a 6-foot, 160-pound cornerback from Central Catholic High School in Ohio. He is rated as a four-star recruit and ranked as the No. 46 player in the class of 2026. He is also the No. 3 cornerback in the country and the best player coming out of Ohio.
Let that soak in for a second. Illinois has landed the best player in the state of Ohio. Singleton could have picked any other team, and back on January 8, he cut his list down to Ohio State, Oregon, Michigan, Texas A&M, and Illinois. That is some serious power with deep NIL pockets, and Illinois won out.
Victor Singleton joins an Illinois football program that can put defensive backs in the NFL
As of right now, I believe Singleton is the top recruit Illinois has landed since the late 2000s when Ron Zook was pulling in some incredible talent. Singleton has a chance to be pretty special too.
Singleton has a rare combination of speed and instincts. He can watch the quarterback while also moving with the wide receiver. His quickness allows him to break on curl routes, but he can also keep up with burners down the sidelines and up the seam.
The talent that Singleton brings to the field is pretty evident. With Illinois’ coaching staff, the NFL is something that should be in sight too.
Illinois has been able to put some quality defensive backs into the NFL since Bielema took over the program.
Kerby Joseph was a third-round pick by the Detroit Lions. In his third season with the Lions, he led the NFL with nine interceptions and was an All-Pro.
Devon Witherspoon was the fifth pick in the 2023 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks. He has made back-to-back Pro Bowls in his first two seasons in the league.
Illinois had Quan Martin selected by the Washington Commanders in the second round in 2023. He started every game for a Commanders squad that made the NFC Championship game this season.
Like Joseph, Sydney Brown was also a third-round pick. He was a difference-maker in the Philadelphia Eagles secondary and is now playing in the Super Bowl.
I haven’t even mentioned Tony Adams. He didn’t get drafted but had the development and skills to stick with an NFL team. In three seasons with the New York Jets, Adams has started 27 games and was third on the team with 84 tackles in 2024.
While NIL money is always some type of factor, winning and development are also a big part of why players commit to programs. The Bielema Era of Illinois football has proven we can win and put players into the NFL. Singleton has a chance to be one of the best to ever come through the program.