You can feel the Illinois football team kind of switching their focus as far as the offensive build is concerned.
Honestly, while the success on the field has been great, the Illini offense hasn’t really had an identity. We can run the ball a little bit. The passing game isn’t bad. But if you asked me what type of offense Illinois plays, I would say balanced.
That isn’t necessarily a bad thing, though. The focus does seem to be shifting more and more toward the passing game over the last couple of recruiting classes. Illinois has landed decent quarterbacks and talent to put around them.
Bret Bielema and the coaching staff are also in the running for two huge tight ends for 2026. Landing either or both of Mack Sutter or JC Anderson would be massive for the Orange and Blue. We aren’t just focusing on the tight end position for 2026, though. Illinois is also diving into the 2027 class and trying to get another elite tight end.
On Thursday, Ben Hynek took to social media to announce that he has received a scholarship offer from the Illini.
#AGTG After a great phone conversation. I am extremely blessed to say I have received an offer from @IlliniFootball ‼️@RobbyDischer @BarryLunneyJr @BretBielema @coachPatRyan pic.twitter.com/jreUrMGTDD
— Ben Hynek ‘27 (@hynek_ben) May 30, 2025
Hynek is a 6-foot-6, 240-pound tight end from Stanley High School in North Dakota. He is rated as a three-star recruit and ranked as the No. 336 player in the class of 2027. Hynek is also the No. 23 tight end in the country and the No. 3 player coming out of North Dakota.
The offers are starting to flow in for this budding superstar. In addition to Illinois, Hynek has big-time offers from teams like Kansas, Iowa State, and Auburn, to name a few.
The strength of the Illinois football offense could come from the tight end position
Going with the two-tight-end set is a strategy that has been implemented by many teams in the past. Illinois seems to be heading that way, and I think it is a great idea. I am also excited to see what the tight end position can do in the coming years.
Illinois fans didn’t get to experience Cole Rusk last season due to injury. He transferred in from Murray State, and I think he could easily emerge as a big-time receiving threat.
Bielema has also brought in players like Christian Abney and Logan Farrell to help bolster the tight end position. On the roster right now, Illinois has nine tight ends. There is a plan in place to really make the Illinois offense run through the tight end position, figuratively and literally.
Just imagine what the future could hold, too. Sutter and/or Anderson join the program in 2026 as four-star recruits. In 2027, a future four-star recruit in Hynek, then joins. Illinois would be such a dangerous offense.