Huge in-state 4-star recruit keeps Illinois football in top 10

To say the Illinois football program received great news this week would be an understatement.

2026 in-state tight end, JC Anderson posted his top 10 schools to his social media account on Wednesday. The Illini cracked the list, along with several college football powerhouse programs.

The 6-foot-7, 230-pound tight end is ranked the No. 3 overall prospect in the state of Illinois and No. 7 in the nation at his position. He's ranked the No. 118 overall prospect in the class of 2026. He holds 34 total offers. Yes, you read that correctly – 34 offers as a sophomore.

Fortunately, the Orange & Blue hold home-field advantage – the four-star prospect is coming out of Mt. Zion High School. Last season, Anderson finished fourth on the team in receiving as a sophomore, averaging 30.7 receiving yards a game. He also contributed three touchdowns on the year.

What type of player is Illinois football recruiting target JC Anderson

My biggest takeaway from watching his film is his length. Anderson looks like a grown man among boys on the field. His strength also stuck out to me, how he can body a defender and lay out a lethal stiff arm. Not to mention, he's doing all of this as only a sophomore. Just imagine his strength, size, and development by the time he's bound for college.

Anderson would be a phenomenal target at all times for the Illini, especially in the red zone, given his strength, size, and length.

The Illini currently do not have any commitments for the class of 2026 just yet.