Ked's Recruiting Roundup: Illinois Future Quarterback Michael Clayton II Goes One on One with IlliniGuys

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Sr. Recruiting Analyst

December 18, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Kedric Prince/IlliniGuys)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — One of the headline prospects in Illinois football’s 2026 recruiting class is quarterback Michael Clayton II, who committed to the Illini in November 2024 and never looked back.

Several IlliniGuys writers and analysts were asked to identify players who could rise to the top in this class, and the conversation consistently returned to Clayton, the 6-foot-4, 200-pound signal caller from Edison High School in Miami, Florida.

We caught up with Clayton for a one-on-one Q&A . . .

 

Premium Members Only. Please Subscribe To View The Full Article

  • One-stop destination for Illini sports news, analysis and interactive contents.
  • Weekly podcasts including "Sturdy for 30" and "I on the Illini"
  • Illini Guys Zoom Calls" during games and special events
  • Special appearances by "Illini Legends" and other national sports personalities
  • Video breakdowns and game analysis
  • Owned, managed and run by diehard Illini fans for Illini fans everywhere

Podcasts

539 Remembering Mike White with Chris White & David Williams

Listen

538 - Illini Upset 83-80 by Nebraska

Listen

12.12.25 - Illini BB Over Vols, FB Commit Michael Clayton, Jr & Michigan Fiasco

Listen

537 - Illini Defeat Ohio State 88-80 on the Road

Listen

536 - Illini Crush Tennessee 75-62 with Huge 2nd Half

Listen

12.5.25 - #21 Illini FB Recruiting Class & Illini Men's BB vs Tenn

Listen

535 Illini FB 2025 Signing Day Special - Insider View

Listen

534 Illini FB 2025 Signing Day Special - Scouting View

Listen

533 Illini FB 2025 Signing Day Special - Reporter View

Listen

532 - Illini Win 8th Game this Season over Northwestern

Listen

Illini Frustration in the Big Apple #531

Listen

Illini FB vs Northwestern for Season Finale, Illini BB vs UConn & Game Predictions - S5Ep16 - 11.28.25 - Seg 1

Listen

Illini Cruise to Victory Over UTRGV 87-73 #530

Listen

Illini Football Preview - Northwestern #529

Listen

Illini Upset by Relentless Badgers 27-10 - #528

Listen

Subscriber Testimonials:

"I am a member of three different paid sites, [but] I wanted to tell you that the collective insight from the leadership of this place is second to none.  
 
It is remarkable how often I feel like I know what is going to happen before it happens. I am so appreciative of the obvious hard work that you guys are giving ....
 
You guys, in a short time, have shown me that you are the best at what you do."
Join the conversation here!

Not a member? Join our mailing list:

© 2025 LMBC Sports, LLC. All rights reserved. 

Use of any part of this site constitutes express acceptance of the Site Terms. LMBC Sports, LLC, including its Illini Guys website, is an independent media organization, and is not affiliated with the University of Illinois.