Over the weekend, Bret Bielema and the Illinois football program hosted a massive group of blue-chip recruits for their official visits, and it seems like the OVs couldn't have gone any better, with many of the young prospects reaffirming their commitment to the Fighting Illini.
From four-star linebackers to three-star wide receivers, Champaign was filled with promising talent over the weekend. After all was said and done, the Illinois commits were more than 100 percent locked in on Bielema's program.
"[Illinois football] OV complete! It’s definitely [Illini] over everybody!" Cam Thomas, a four-star LB, wrote. "1000% COMMITTED."
Thomas is one of two four-star prospects in Illinois' class of 2026 commits, alongside four-star wide receiver Nasir Rankin. The Fighting Illini have the No. 28 nationally ranked class of 2026, including two four-stars and 14 three-star prospects, according to On3.
Three-star wide receiver Kenyon Alston, three-star defensive end Kingston Reigns, three-star outside linebacker Jacob Alexander, and more all turned to social media after their official visits to express their excitement around joining the Fighting Illini next year.
Had great time in Champaign ..H🏠ME#FamILLy26 #ILLINI #HTTO 💙🧡@coachjstepp @_CoachEllington @BarryLunneyJr @BretBielema pic.twitter.com/OnrLEUj8eS
— Kenyon Alston (@KenyonAlston) June 9, 2025
The No. 28 class in the nation lands the Illini at No. 9 in the Big Ten recruiting rankings, a massive improvement over Bielema's class of 2025, which ranks 44th nationally and No. 12 in the conference. The difference? Bielema was able to recruit the two four-star prospects. In his class of 2025, Illinois only has commits from 22 three-star prospects and zero from a four-star or higher.
Illinois has a chance to be a dark horse in the conference this season, especially with starting quarterback Luke Altmyer returning for another season. Yes, programs like the Ohio State Buckeyes, Penn State Nittany Lions, and Oregon Ducks are favored to win the Big Ten, but the Fighting Illini have been projected to have a season similar to that of the Indiana Hoosiers' year in 2024.
Bielema and the Illini are set to kick off their 2025 campaign with a home game against the Western Illinois Leathernecks on Friday, Aug. 29, at 6:30 p.m. CT.