We are nearing the early National Signing Day, and the Illinois football team is in high gear when it comes to recruiting.
The class of 2026 has shaped up to be one of the best I have ever seen. Bret Bielema has the Illini sitting pretty, currently with the No. 23 class in the country.
Bielema isn’t done, though. He has his eyes on some instant-impact players who could come in and start for the program from day one.
Here are the top five massive Illinois football recruiting targets for early National Signing Day
1. Dre Riley – Safety (Northwest Mississippi Community College)
There are a handful of position groups Illinois needs to address this offseason, and we have already done a great job on a couple.
I think the safety position is one that needs a little attention. Landing someone like Dre Riley would bolster this group and really take us to another level.
Riley is a 6-foot-1, 185-pound safety from Northwest Mississippi CC. He is ranked as the No. 28 JUCO player in the class of 2026 and the No. 2 JUCO safety in the country.
Back in October, Riley committed to Mississippi State. Despite that commitment, he has still visited other programs. He was on an official visit to Purdue and Illinois in the past couple of weeks. He also visited the Bulldogs this past weekend.
Illinois is clearly still trying to pry this kid away from his commitment. We have done a great job in the JUCO market thus far, so let’s see how this one plays out.
2. Maika Matelau – Guard (Mt. San Antonio College)
The offensive line is arguably the biggest issue on the Illinois football team. The Illini will be losing four starters from this past season, so we need more bodies up front.
Illinois already pulled in the No. 9 overall JUCO recruit, offensive tackle TJ Taylor. He will help bolster the offensive tackle position. Now, we are trying to land an offensive guard.
Maika Matelau is a 6-foot-4, 288-pound guard from Mt. San Antonio College. He is ranked as the No. 19 JUCO player in the class of 2026 and the best JUCO interior offensive lineman in the country.
This talented blocker has been on multiple official visits over the last couple of weeks. He has visited Illinois, Wisconsin, and BYU. This might be a tough recruitment to win, considering BYU is coming in at the last second, but Illinois needs to put resources into this kid.
Illinois’ guards in 2025 weren’t great. We need starters, too. Matelau could come in and be the starter this program has been craving.
3. Lance Dawson – Defensive Line (Avon High School)
Most of the players on this list are from the junior college ranks, but this option is from the high school level.
Illinois had okay defensive line play this season, but it could always be better. We need depth and talent, and landing someone like Lance Dawson would be big for the program.
Dawson is a 6-foot-5, 250-pound defensive lineman from Avon High School in Ohio. He is rated as a four-star recruit and ranked as the No. 210 player in the class of 2026. He is also the No. 29 defensive lineman in the country and the No. 9 player coming out of Ohio.
Cincinnati won Dawson’s heart back in the summer. He took an official visit to see what the Bearcats had to offer, and then he committed to them days later. Time went on, and things changed.
In mid-October, Illinois offered Dawson a scholarship. He then took an official visit to Champaign. The fact that Dawson is willing to take an official visit means that he is open to the possibility that Illinois is an option.
The recruitment of Dawson has been quiet over the past month or so. He isn’t posting much on social media, so look for this to be a potential flip on Wednesday. Illinois could land a nice four-star recruit.
4. Jalen Anderson – Outside Linebacker (Pearl River Community College)
Illinois is going to be in serious need of some microwave pass rushers in 2026. The departure of Gabe Jacas is going to be brutal, but it has shown how well Bielema can develop players at this outside linebacker position.
Landing another big-time outside linebacker is going to be important for next season. That is why I love the possibility of bringing in Jalen Anderson.
Anderson is a 6-foot-3, 241-pound outside linebacker from Pearl River Community College. He is ranked as the No. 5 JUCO player in the class of 2026 and the best JUCO EDGE in the country.
The recruitment of Anderson has been kind of wild. He has been on numerous official visits, and after his visit to Florida State a couple of weeks ago, he actually made a commitment.
Well, the official visits kept coming. Illinois got the final official visit this past weekend. I honestly believe this recruitment is wide open, and if Illinois can pull in another top 10 JUCO player, the class of 2026 would skyrocket. This kid would start from day one and dominate on the outside.
5. Keon Hutchins – Wide Receiver (Northwest Mississippi Community College)
Last but not least, Illinois needs a big-time playmaker on the outside. We need someone who can fill in for the big shoes of Hank Beatty after he graduates this season.
Keon Hutchins is a 6-foot-2, 170-pound wide receiver from Northwest Mississippi Community College. He is ranked as the No. 8 JUCO player in the class of 2026 and the best JUCO wide receiver in the country.
In early November, Hutchins committed to West Virginia. He has since been on multiple official visits, which included stops at Kansas State, West Virginia, and Illinois.
On Sunday, Hutchins backed away from his commitment. That means it is likely down to just the Wildcats and Illini for his commitment.
Illinois pulling in the top JUCO wide receiver would be huge. We have had success with JUCO wide receivers in the past, and adding Hutchins would give us a massive weapon on the outside. He averaged 18.7 yards per reception this past season. This kid can take the top off a defense.