Key recruits now on the radar for the Illinois football class of 2026
![Nov 24, 2018; Evanston, IL, USA; A detailed view of a Illinois Fighting Illini helmet before a game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports Nov 24, 2018; Evanston, IL, USA; A detailed view of a Illinois Fighting Illini helmet before a game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_4792,h_2695,x_0,y_10/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/140/01j2kenfcmfksj0n2rns.jpg)
While the Illinois football team needs to find a way to bolster the class of 2025, the coaching staff is also focusing on the 2026 class as well.
There hasn’t been a commitment for the class of 2026 thus far, but it is extremely early. The Illini will surely land some quality players, as we need to continue to bring in solid talent to compete in the Big Ten.
Over the past week, the Illinois coaching staff has been busy offering scholarships to key players. Landing these talented recruits would go a long way in being nationally relevant once again.
Let’s take a look at some of the big class of 2026 scholarship offers from the Illinois football team
Tatum Bell Jr.
On Tuesday, the Illinois football team came in with a scholarship offer to Tatum Bell Jr. Yes, the son of former Oklahoma State and Denver Broncos running back, Tatum Bell. Feel old?
Full Season Sophomore Highlights✌🏾
— Tatum Bell Jr (@Tatumbelljr) November 8, 2023
- 45 Catches
- 737 Yards
- 9 tdshttps://t.co/7GNv7WAy86
Bell is a 5-foot-10, 175-pound wide receiver from Heritage High School in Texas. He is rated as a three-star recruit and ranked as the No. 408 player in the class of 2026. He is also the No. 61 wide receiver in the country and the No. 56 player coming out of Texas.
Zion Elee
Illinois is looking to bolster the defense by offering a scholarship to Zion Elee. He is a big-time East Coast recruit who would give the Illini a monster on the defensive side of the ball from day one.
FULL SEASON HIGHLIGHT TAPE CO’26 6”5 220lb DE
— staydownlorZ (@D1zion26) November 24, 2023
https://t.co/sJLVJXCD0l #hudl
Elee is a 6-foot-5, 225-pound edge rusher from Joppatowne High School in Maryland. He is rated as a five-star recruit and ranked as the No. 22 player in the class of 2026. He is also the No. 3 edge rusher in the country and the No. 2 player coming out of Maryland.
Cameron McHaney
After losing Jer’Zhan Newton to the NFL, the Illini are looking for the next big-time defensive lineman. The answer could come in the form of Cameron McHaney.
End of sophomore year highlights
— Cameron Mchaney (@CameronMchaney_) December 6, 2023
81 tackles
13 tackles for lost
1 sack
1 forced fumble
Thankful for my seniors and can’t wait to get back on the field! #blessed #football #lutheranfootballhttps://t.co/cgiAqhAfa2
McHaney is a 6-foot-2, 315-pound defensive lineman from IMG Academy in Florida. He is rated as a four-star recruit and ranked as the No. 211 player in the class of 2026. He is also the No. 24 defensive lineman in the country and the No. 37 player coming out of Florida.
Cam Thomas
It would be nice to be able to go into the state of Ohio and pluck talented players out from underneath Ohio State. Landing someone like Cam Thomas would be that move.
Check out Sophomore season highlights
— Cam Thomas (@CamThomas2026_3) November 20, 2023
🎥: https://t.co/zlSmh0QFkl
-C/O 2026’
-All GMC Defensive Selection
-9.5 Sacks
-12 TFL
-1 INT
-2 FF
#1 LB in Ohio for 26’ pic.twitter.com/URuznqLFrs
Thomas is a 6-foot-2, 217-pound athlete from Lakota West High School in Ohio. He is rated as a four-star recruit and ranked as the No. 218 player in the class of 2026. He is also the No. 17 linebacker in the country and the No. 9 player coming out of the state of Ohio.
Next. 5 projected improvements for the Illinois basketball team in 2024-25. 5 projected improvements for the Illinois basketball team in 2024-25. dark