Illinois football targeting Florida commit for the class of 2026

The Illinois football team might be moving in on a top recruit who is already committed.

Bret Bielema has the Illini look great for the class of 2025. Our freshman class ranked No. 43 in the nation. Now he is putting the finishing touches with a nice haul of transfer portal players.

So far, Illinois has landed six transfers and has a transfer portal class of No. 40. Combined, we have the No. 43 class in the country as well.

While the 2025 class is looking good, the class of 2026 has already started on the right foot. Bielema landed quarterback Michael Clayton to help forge a great future for the Orange and Blue. But we need some help on the defensive side of the ball too. That is where Devin Jackson could come into play.

Jackson is a 6-foot-1.5, 195-pound safety from First Academy in Florida. He is rated as a three-star recruit and ranked as the No. 492 player in the class of 2026. He is also the No. 41 safety in the country and the No. 72 player coming out of Florida.

On paper, the recruitment of Jackson seems over. Back in July, he decided to commit to Florida. Since then, Jackson has taken an unofficial visit to Florida State, and he has now received a scholarship from Illinois. What that says to me is that this recruitment isn’t done just yet.

Landing Devin Jackson would give the Illinois football team a ball-hawking safety in 2026

Under the Bielema regime, the Illini have had great safeties. We have been able to change games with some of the talent that has played the position. I think Jackson could be one of the next great safeties for the Illini.

Jackson has a great eye for the ball. He can read quarterbacks well, and he baits the passers into throwing to a wide receiver that looks open until Jackson flies in.

I love Jackson’s speed to the ball as well. He can close quickly on a ball carrier, and this has enabled him to make huge plays on the field. This would be a great recruit for Illinois to put resources into moving forward.