By IlliniGuys Staff

December 3, 2025

Just days after becoming the third coach in program history to put together back-to-back eight-win campaigns, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema is planning for his sixth season on campus as verbal commits become official during today's National Signing Day.

The Illini welcome 30 newcomers, the highest-rated class in program history. Here's a look at the recruiting class of 2026:

Player: Michael Clayton II

Position: Quarterback

(Courtesy player's X page)

Height: 6’3”

Weight: 200

Hometown: Miami, Fla.

High School: Edison

Other Offers: Arkansas, Auburn, Baylor, Colorado

Michael Clayton II has an NFL-ready quick and high release and a good frame that you'd draw up on a Madden profile. Clayton can stand to add another 10-15 pounds, but other than that he looks ready to play in Memorial Stadium. He could be a little more elusive, but really the primary reason Clayton isn't listed as a dual threat QB is that players with his throwing ability in his league aren't supposed to run unless they see an opening. The bottom line is that Michael Clayton really can do it all, and Illinois was right to press hard for his commitment before the bluebloods started to turn up the pressure.

Clayton really does throw the future of the quarterback position into a blender because he's so much more advanced as a prospect than any non-transfer QB Illinois has brought on board in recent years. – Steve Sturm

Player: Cam Thomas

(Courtesy player's X page)

Position: Linebacker

Height: 6’2”

Weight: 215

Hometown: West Chester, Ohio

High School: Lakota West

Other Offers: Akron, Ball St., Boston College, Charlotte, Duke, Georgia Tech, Oregon, Pitt, Purdue, Toledo

Cam Thomas isn't an outstanding pass rusher and doesn't show the type of quickness to get around blockers but is instead bull rushing blockers or the result of a disguised blitz. But Thomas does use his speed to chase down ball carriers from frankly ridiculous distances given the high quality of the competition Lakota West faces.

He also shows above average instincts to go with that hustle that show you that Thomas isn't just an athlete playing football, but a true football player. You have to love the addition of a recruit like Thomas as an Illini fan. This is the second recruit from a football factory two states away (he joins former Lakota West teammate Grant Beerman in Champaign) and in addition to being a quality athlete Thomas is also a hard worker on and off the field. – Steve Sturm

Player: Kai Pritchard

(Courtesy player's Hudl page)

Position: Offensive Tackle

Height: 6’5”

Weight: 275

Hometown: Toms River, N.J.

High School: Donovan Catholic

Other Offers: Boston College, Duke, James Madison, Kentucky, Maryland, Rutgers, Syracuse

I think that Kai Pritchard has the tools to be successful in the Big Ten. He's going to carry 300 pounds pretty easily and his quickness will allow him to regularly get to the second level and block linebackers and/or work with other players to create running lanes downfield.  However, I have to caution everyone that this is a high floor/low ceiling type of player.  Pritchard isn't particularly long and that has led a lot of sites to list him as a guard primarily.  Given that he's also just a little on the lean side he's not going to be a road grader type that will make an elite guard either.  However, I think right tackle is still going to be a really good fit for Pritchard. – Steve Sturm

Player: Jack Gray

Position: Punter

Height: 6’0”

Weight: 180

Hometown: Australia

High School: ProKick Australia

Gray is the latest product of Prokick Australia, the respected training program that has produced several successful collegiate and NFL punters over the years. Gray joins a lineage of Australian punters who have left a lasting mark on American college football. Illinois has leaned on that international pipeline over the past several years, and Gray’s arrival signals a continuation of that strategic investment in special teams. – Kedric Prince

Player: Tony Williams

(Courtesy player's X page)

Position: Linebacker

Height: 5’10”

Weight: 215

Hometown: Jacksonville, Fla.

High School: William Raines

Other Offers: Arkansas St., Bethune-Cookman, Bowling Green, Florida International, Nebraska, SMU

Tony Williams is a good athlete, but that doesn't fully reflect his value.  He is really instinctive about finding the ball and shooting gaps when the need arises.  In fact, after reading about Williams' athleticism I felt like he had been mislabeled.  Williams isn't a track athlete who is going to put up an eye-popping 40 time, and though he has above-average quickness, he isn't going to wow anyone with his change of direction skills either.  However, he has that "left trigger" burst (It's a Madden term.  Look it up).  When Williams is watching the play unfold and a gap opens, Williams is through that gap in a blink and in the ball carrier's grill with some anger. – Steve Sturm

Player: Kingston Shaw

Position: Edge/Athlete

Height: 6’4”

Weight: 225

Hometown: Apopka, Fla.

High School: The First Academy

Other Offers: Arkansas, Kansas St., Liberty, Michigan St., Mississippi St., Purdue, Toledo, Tulane, Wake Forest

The 2026 edge rusher is considered a sleeper in his position both in the state and nationally. Known for his athleticism and footspeed in the open field, Shaw is a versatile defender who excels in space, elite tackling ability and unmatched strength.

One source close to the program said Shaw is a name to remember, "He has all the potential to play at the next level. The player development program at Illinois can compete with any DI program in the country; they’ve proven that. Add that to the fact that Illinois head coach Bret Bielema is involved with all recruits they offer. Some players have the 'it' factor seen by Bielema, and Shaw appears to have that." – Kedric Prince

Player: Parker Crim

(Courtesy player's Instagram page)

Position: Edge

Height: 6’3”

Weight: 235

Hometown: Elida, OH

High School: Elida

Other Offers: Boston College, Iowa State, Kentucky

Parker Crim could be a real find.  I don't care where you're playing, 101 tackles and 12 sacks from a 3-4 defensive end is special.  He also has intriguing athleticism, though he's a little gangly and won't necessarily stand out to certain evaluators because he isn't exactly explosive despite having good straight-line speed.  Crim also bears the hallmark of an underrated Illini recruit because he comes from a mediocre program from a smaller school.  We've seen that from several recruits from the Sunshine State but the same reasoning applies for recruits from the Buckeye State as well: players from smaller schools with unsuccessful football programs are the best places to find hidden gems.  Crim's' hometown is roughly between West Lafayette, Bloomington and Columbus, yet none of those schools have offered him because of the school he attends.  Illinois made Crim a priority. – Steve Sturm

Player: Kenyon Alston

(Courtesy player's X page)

Position: Wide Receiver

Height: 6’2”

Weight: 185

Hometown: Orlando, Fla.

High School: Bishop Moore Catholic

Other Offers: Appalachian State, Arkansas, Michigan, Ole Miss

It’s more than just the impressive yards after catch ability that Kenyon Alston displays that sets him apart.  The excellent agility and body control that allows Alston to elude tacklers also serves him well in making complicated catches.  One other thing that many won't recognize is that he displays elite ball tracking.  On all those deep balls where it looks like Alston is running in stride with defenders and then he suddenly separates, he's intentionally running just a bit off the path of the ball knowing that defenders in man coverage are following him rather than the ball.  Then, when the ball is on its downward trajectory, Alton separates by moving directly into the ball's path and suddenly he's a few steps away.  It’s a beautiful thing to see when executed correctly because it requires great skill, talent and savvy. – Steve Sturm

Player: Landen Von Seggern

Position: Offensive Guard/Center

Height: 6’3”

Weight: 285

Hometown: Omaha, Neb.

High School: Millard South

Other Offers: Iowa, Kansas, Kansas St., Memphis

Do you like Josh Gesky?   Because that's what we're looking at with Von Seggern.  He plays left tackle for his high school team, but he isn't a fit for left tackle in the Big Ten because of his smallish size and heavy footed athleticism.  However, he's about as effective as you could ask for a player with his limitations.  Von Seggern, like Gesky, is one of those guys who hustles everywhere he goes.  You can count on seeing him playing to, and through, the whistle on every play.  He's a fun player to watch for that reason but not every team wants a Gesky in their starting lineup when they could put a 320 pound road grader on the field at guard who has the raw power to move Big Ten defensive tackles off their spots.  However, at the same time you can see why a coach would want a Von Seggern type on their team when it comes to knowing that a player is going to execute well and think the game as it happens. – Steve Sturm

Player: Jacob Alexander

(Courtesy player's X page)

Position: Edge

Height: 6’4”

Weight: 240

Hometown: Frankfort, Ill.

High School: Lincoln-Way East

Other Offers: Cincinnati, Kansas, Kansas State, Louisville

Jacob Alexander has perfect traits for the Illini outside linebacker position.  He has an especially long frame for a 6'4 athlete and though he's a little skinny right now, I see plenty of growth potential that will allow him to get to 260 pounds and hold up to Big Ten blockers.  However, that's not the best part.  Alexander has unnatural quickness in his upper body.  I don't just notice how quickly he gets to the quarterback on his sacks.  I notice that he does it using some quick hands and upper body flexibility that all the best pass rushers want. When you watch Alexander, you see a ghost move, a spin move, a rip move and a flat speed rush.  I'm impressed enough by his hard work and athleticism that I'm pretty confident that he'll be a valuable college player.  He even has the trademark chase down tackle that seems to be in every Illini defensive recruit's highlights – Steve Sturm

Player: Nasir Rankin

(Courtesy player's X page)

Position: Wide Receiver

Height: 6’1”

Weight: 160

Hometown: Chicago, Ill.

High School: Morgan Park

Other Offers: Ball State, Duke, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, North Carolina, USC

Nasir Rankin's athleticism separates him from his Chicago Public League competition to such a degree that it’s difficult to tell exactly how good he could be against Big Ten competition.  However, if nothing else you can see that Rankin has elite acceleration and body control that will make him a dangerous man to guard in a few years when he fills out a bit and gets a chance to compete in Champaign.

Rankin committed to both the basketball and football team and he's also said that he intends to play both wide receiver and cornerback like Travis Hunter.  However, either of those things seems highly unlikely. Personally, I think it would be a lot of fun to see either of those double duty options, but the smart money is on Rankin playing only wide receiver for the Illini.

But I think everyone has to pump the brakes a bit on Rankin.  He's arguably the top-rated recruit in this class, he's in-state, and he's a 4-star player at a position of need.  However, he's a boom or bust type of prospect and he's awfully raw.  If he doesn't focus on playing wide receiver, then Illini fans are going to have to wait a while before he's a starting-quality player.  And though Illini Nation used to celebrate consensus 4* players, the fact is that even at a thin wide receiver position Rankin is going to have to fight past at least two more 4* players to get a starting spot. – Steve Sturm

Player: Nick Hankins

(Courtesy player's Hudl page)

Position: Cornerback

Height: 6’0”

Weight: 190

Hometown: Belleville, Ill.

High School: West

Other Offers: Auburn, Boston College, Cincinnati, Missouri, Tennessee, USC

For most of the Aaron Henry/Ryan Walters era, Illinois has recruited cornerback and safety tweeners and then sorted out where they fit best in the five-man secondary.  However, with Nick Hankins and fellow Class of 2026 member Almirian Thomas, they seem to have moved past that and gotten some pure corners.  I wouldn't mind seeing Hankins play some safety too so he is in a position to make more plays, but as a program Illinois has reached the point where they don't necessarily need to feature a guy like Hankins because there are playmakers all over the place.  With this current class, Illinois is shifting into another gear and preparing for a brighter future.

Nick Hankins is the best player Illinois has grabbed from the Metro East since Isaiah Williams 2.0.  He's going to be a big part of our future, and he's hopefully the first of many Metro East players to spurn Missouri and choose to stay in Big Ten country. – Steve Sturm

Player: Will Vala

(Courtesy player's Hudl page)

Position: Tight End

Height: 6’4”

Weight: 220

Hometown: Downers Grove, Ill.

High School: North

Other Offers: Air Force, Appalachian St., Arkansas St., Army, Buffalo, Fordham, Purdue, Wisconsin, Toledo

Will Vala has rare agility and speed for a tight end.  He's a match-up nightmare even for the defenders that are among the best in Illinois since Downers Grove North is always among the toughest teams in Class 8A.  There aren't many defenders in the entire state who are capable of guarding a player of his length and speed, and he's also making some really great ball adjustments and combat catches.  If it were me, I'd have to guard him with a safety or bracket him with multiple defenders because in general he's just a menace to deal with. Not only that, but Vala got some time on defense too, which says a lot considering that Downers Grove North has a huge and talented roster to choose from. – Steve Sturm

Player: Nelsyn Wheeler

Position: Running Back

Height: 5’9”

Weight: 200

Hometown: Omaha, Neb.

High School: Millard South

Other Offers: Air Force, Cincinnati, Eastern Michigan, Kansas, Maryland, Miami (Ohio), South Dakota

Nelsyn Wheeler is a speed back, plain and simple.  His top gear jumps out on film and his timed 10.77 100-meter dash and 22.17 200-meter dash show that what you're going to see on his film isn't a camera trick.  He shows really good vision and agility and he has also put on some weight to allow him to break tackles and even throw a nice block. He shows patience, a couple of nice moves, and a bit of tackle-breaking ability that you don't normally see from a smaller back.  Plus, he has two things that I have always favored in a running back: he's short, and he has an effective jump cut.  Mikel Leshoure and Jason Ferguson both had deadly jump cuts that were great tools and we haven't seen enough of those from Illini running backs.  And we haven't had effective short backs very often at all.  Short backs are easy to hide behind huge linemen, they're harder to square up for tacklers, and they present a lower center of gravity that allows them to break a lot more tackles than you'd normally expect.  In short, I really like this addition both personally and objectively. – Steve Sturm

Player: Isaiah Williams

(Courtesy player's X page)

Position: Defensive Back

Height: 6’1”

Weight: 190

Hometown: Missouri City, Tex.

High School: Thurgood Marshall

Other Offers: Alabama St., Arizona St. Arkansas, Baylor, Cal, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio St., Oregon St., SMU

Isaiah Williams is a little small for a safety at a generously listed 6'1"and 190 pounds, but he plays a lot bigger than you'd think and used his surprising strength to make a lot of big plays for a traditional football power in the suburbs of Houston.  Williams had offers from nearly all the blue blood programs in the nation. Williams loves to hit.  However, he's more than just a hitter and has more than enough coverage ability to play the deep safety position that Miles Scott currently plays. This guy looks like an all conference type of performer. – Steve Sturm

Player: Kaedyn Cobbs

(Courtesy player's X page)

Position: Linebacker

Height: 6’0”

Weight: 195

Hometown: Denton, Tex.

High School: Guyer

Other Offers: Baylor, Buffalo, Cornell, Texas State

Kaedyn Cobbs is a perfect fit for that type of "under" safety position that Illinois has played the last four years. Cobbs lays the wood just as well as Sydney Brown and figures to have the strength to set the edge and take on Big Ten blockers in a couple years as well.  I don't see Cobbs carrying 220 pounds and maintaining his speed, but you could always try to bulk him up a bit more and make him a linebacker too, as a few people have projected.  However, Cobbs' comments to our Kedric Prince that Illinois was looking to take advantage of ALL of Cobbs' talents shows what's really going on here.  Cobbs is a safety prospect first. – Steve Sturm

Player: King Liggins

Position: Defensive Lineman

Height: 6’2”

Weight: 285

Hometown: Chicago, Ill.

High School: Brother Rice

Other Offers: Akron, Ball State, Boston College, Cincinnati, Indiana, Iowa, North Carolina, Wisconsin

This is the best high school defensive line recruit Bret Bielema has brought on board.  Yes, really.  I realize that isn't saying much given that Illinois has hardly produced a home grown quality defensive line rotation player in the Bielema era.  However, I want emphasize that regardless of other reservations, Liggins is a future starter in the Big Ten as long as he can add just a little weight to his frame.  In past years I'd be looking for Liggins to play as a true freshman, but that doesn't seem likely given the improvement of the Illini program.  However, after a redshirt year I would look for Liggins to be in the mix for playing time as a second-year freshman.

I don't want to get everyone too excited when I say this, but Illinois hasn't had a quick, short, squat and long-armed defensive lineman like this since... Jer'Zhan Newton.  This is the perfect type of player to fill the 3-4 DE role in the Big Ten who can play with a blocker on each shoulder if necessary yet also penetrate and make big plays.  Those guys haven't been easy to come by for this program, so you gather how exciting this addition is. – Steve Sturm

Player: Davon Grant

(Courtesy Mark Busch)

Position: Wide Receiver

Height: 6’4”

Weight: 200

Hometown: DeKalb, Ill.

High School: DeKalb

Other Offers: Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin

Grant is a legit 6'4, 200 and that weight number might even be a little light.  However, his size is only the most obvious of his assets.  A receiver with that size and credible speed and hands has a place on the bottom of a Big Ten roster, like Alex Capka-Jones.  However, Grant is much more than that.  He has outstanding body control and hands that will make him a very popular target for Illinois quarterbacks.  At that size and with Grant's receiving ability, his floor is an excellent third down receiver. – Steve Sturm

Player: Jakwon Morris

(Courtesy player's X page)

Position: Cornerback

Height: 6’0”

Weight:170

Hometown: Tupelo, Miss.

High School: Northwest Mississippi C.C.

Other Offers: Arkansas, Arkansas State, Austin Peay, BYU, Colorado St., East Carolina, Purdue

Jakwon Morris had several Big Ten and SEC offers and his recruitment was really blowing up before he committed to USC a month ago. However, reports are that he wanted more of a guaranteed starting spot and while USC has two starting cornerback spots open next year, they also have numerous 4-star high schoolers coming in. So, USC's loss is Illinois' gain. On the downside, I don't think Morris' height and weight numbers are up to snuff. And while I think Morris will be effective regardless, I wonder if he will have the strength to play similarly in the Big Ten. And more importantly, I wonder if a 170-ish pound corner will survive in the Big Ten playing that style. Torrie Cox Jr. and Jaheim Clarke are playing at 175 pounds this year, and other teams have victimized both players with power plays to the outside. I worry a bit about Morris' long speed because he only reports a 4.5 40-yard dash, and Clarke's active hands could lead to some penalties, but neither of those are issues that are likely to create problems in the Big Ten. They're more like NFL problems.

I expect Morris to be a starter on day 1. He would probably start this year's team too, though everyone would be better off if Morris had some time in Illinois’ strength and conditioning program. I'd like to see if Morris at nickel safety where he'll have more opportunities to make plays in short areas against the run and the pass. – Steve Sturm

Player: Casey Thomann

(Courtesy player's X page)

Position: Offensive Tackle

Height: 6’7”

Weight: 300

Hometown: Olney, Ill.

High School: East Richland

Other Offers: Eastern Michigan, Iowa St., Kansas St., Memphis, Miami (Ohio), Virginia, West Virginia

Casey Thomann is a genuine athlete.  This isn't just a case of a big kid with an attitude brutalizing the undersized players in front of him.  Thomann actually has good hands and feet and has the burst you want to see in a lineman.  He isn't going to win a lot of 40-yard dashes, but Thomann will certainly hold his own in terms of movement and will be able to handle most pass rushers and execute pulling plays.  The explosion in his lower body is exactly what I like to see as well. And, in case you thought I don't also appreciate his attitude, nothing could be further from the truth.  He's a true lineman in attitude who obviously enjoys putting defenders on their backs. – Steve Sturm

Player: Jacob Eberhart

Position: Wide Receiver/Defensive Back

Height: 6’3”

Weight: 200

Hometown: St. Louis, Mo.

High School: Kirkwood

Other Offers: Alabama, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma

Jacob Eberhart’s versatility on both sides of the ball stands out; he played safety on defense, tallying 45 tackles and three interceptions during his junior season. Defensive backs coach Corey Parker, in tandem with wide receivers coach Justin Stepp, helped pitch the idea of Eberhart contributing at multiple positions, showcasing the program’s flexibility and development track record.

There’s a deeply personal connection to the Illinois program as well. Eberhart’s late father, Jason, played for the Illini and was a teammate of current Illinois athletic director Josh Whitman. Those ties remained strong throughout Jacob’s recruitment, reinforcing the family’s longstanding connection to the school.

Illinois is getting a physical, sure-handed slot receiver with the potential to contribute on both sides of the ball. On offense, Eberhart adds another dimension to an already dynamic 2026 class. On defense, he continues a trend of aggressive, hard-hitting athletes that defensive coordinator Aaron Henry and his staff have made a priority. – Kedric Prince

Player: Tony Balanganayi

Position: Defensive Lineman

Height: 6’4”

Weight: 260

Hometown: Palatine, Ill.

High School: Palatine

Other Offers: Auburn, Iowa State, Kansas

While Tony Balanganayi has spent considerable time at right tackle on Palatine’s offensive unit, the unique athlete also has lined up as a hybrid nose tackle and defensive tackle in short-yardage defensive situations.

The plan is for Balanganayi, who has already shown impressive athleticism and length on both sides of the line-of-scrimmage at the highest classification level of the Illinois high school football system, to be used as both an interior defensive tackle and defensive end in Aaron Henry’s hybrid scheme similarly to how All-American Jer’Zhan Newton was featured in the 2021 and 2022 seasons with the Illini and how Tomiwa Durojaiye was during the 2025 campaign. – Matt Stevens

Player: Almirian Thomas

(Courtesy player's X page)

Position: Defensive Back

Height: 6’1”

Weight: 170

Hometown: Cape Coral, Fla.

High School: Cape Coral

Other Offers: Indiana, Michigan St., Minnesota, South Florida, UTSA, West Virginia

The Illini should probably just move their offseason defensive backs camp to Florida at this point. Of the 18 recruited defensive backs on the roster, 8 of them went to high school in Florida. Almirion Thomas, from Cape Coral, is another name on that list. Not only is Thomas from the Sunshine State, but he's also from the Southwest side of Florida near Aaron Henry's hometown of Immokalee, which has been a go-to recruiting spot for as long as Henry has been a college football coach. Thomas does break the Illini defensive recruiting mold in one small way though: he is a pure corner instead of the typical safety/corner hybrids we've seen from recent Floridian recruits.

He's probably on the raw side even for a 2026 recruit. He claims to be 6'1 165 but I'd say both of those numbers are exaggerated, especially the height. However, Illinois is now in the position of being able to wait on recruits to develop before asking them to contribute so I think he'll be able to get his weight up in the typical Big Ten range for cornerbacks by the time Illinois needs him to play in 2027 or so. Before then, he's going to need to work a little more on his pre-pass hand usage and tackling form. – Steve Sturm

Player: Javari Barnett

(Courtesy player's Instagram page)

Position: Running Back

Height: 6’0”

Weight: 205

Hometown: Tampa, Fla.

High School: Tampa Bay Tech

Other Offers: Alabama, Baylor, Florida, Florida Atlantic, Iowa, Miami, Ole Miss, Pitt, Texas A&M, USC

Illinois has made speed a clear priority in recent cycles, and Barnett fits that vision. He has been reported to run an 11.06 in the 100 meters, a marker of the acceleration and top-end burst the staff has been targeting. His blend of power and balance makes him difficult to bring down, and his ability to identify running lanes quickly gives him the versatility to work inside or outside the tackles.

He joins Nelsyn Wheeler of Millard South in Omaha, Nebraska, as the two running backs currently committed in the 2026 class. Wheeler provides a complementary skill-set that gives Illinois an early start at the position. – Kedric Prince

Player: Jaylen Stewart

Position: Edge

Height: 6’2”

Weight: 240

Hometown: Pearland, Tex.

High School: Pearland

Other Offers: Arizona, Arizona St., Auburn, Baylor, Houston, Kansas, Oklahoma St., SMU, Utah, USC

Jaylen Stewart is a plus athlete and put up very good numbers at Texas' highest level of competition, which is an extremely rare thing to say about an Illinois recruit.  Illinois has picked up some valuable players from Texas over the years, but aside from Marquez Beason they've been under the radar types.  However, Illinois beat out numerous ACC and Big 12 schools for Stewart in addition to Auburn and USC.

Stewart has clear P4 athleticism with a special burst, and he often lines up as a defensive end in a three man front, which means he has a Division 1 level blocker on both shoulders at 220 pounds.

Stewart's size/speed combination is merely good rather than elite, so I can see why he might not be a 4* (though I would put him there).  I also think that Stewart might also be "maxed out" because like many players at elite high school football programs, he already plays with advanced technique (watch the great "long arm" move at 3:20).  However, I don't have any doubt that Stewart will get big enough to play OLB in Illinois' scheme, especially since Illinois is moving to more of a traditional 3-4 where the defensive linemen are all 290+ pounds and the outside linebackers have more perimeter responsibilities than they've had so far under Bielema.  He isn't going to run a 4.5 40 and wow NFL scouts, but Stewart's burst is still awfully impressive and is the key to his playmaking. – Steve Sturm

Player: TJ Taylor

Position: Offensive Tackle

Height: 6’6”

Weight: 300

Hometown: Santa Clarita, Calif.

High School: Golden Valley HS/College of the Canyons

Other Offers: Arizona, Boise St., Hawaii, NC State, Oklahoma St., Oregon St., UCLA, Washington St.

TJ Taylor is a high quality athlete who has developed an impressive skillset in his two years at College of the Canyons.  I went back and looked at his film from high school and while you still see that he's a big guy who moves well, he's also out of shape and basically running straight ahead on every play.  Now, however, you see a really impressive first step both on running and passing downs that is just part of the story, since he's also aggressively mulching defenders every chance he gets just like current right tackle Melvin Priestly.  Taylor's hands are also above average in terms of placement and punch as well.  Basically, you're looking at a guy that doesn't show any weaknesses and is dominating the competition. – Steve Sturm

Player: Maika Matelau

(Courtesy player's X page)

Position: Offensive Lineman

Height: 6’4”

Weight: 285

Hometown: Upland, Calif.

High School: Mt. San Antonio College

Other Offers: Boise St., BYU, Cal, Colorado, Michigan St., Mississippi St., Western Michigan, Wisconsin

Maika Matelau shows tremendous feet in his highlights from Mr. San Antonio.  He really explodes out of his stance and shuffles his feet like a proverbial dancing bear.  While that tells me that he would do a good job of pass blocking, I can see why others are enamored with his pulling ability and want to treat him as a guard or center.  Matelau is also a bit on the short side compared to what many teams want in an offensive tackle.  However, I don't see that as a problem as long as Matelau has the arm length to deal with pass rushers, and for now I'd say he does.  Matelau also has pretty good hands in that they're quick and allow him to deliver a blow first.  However, I'd like to see more power from him.

It was a fun comparison to see Matelau from this past year compared to his high school film, where he looked like a rampaging bull as a 320 pounder running over defenders.  He still had good movement skills, but he wasn't nearly as quick side to side as he is today. – Steve Sturm

Player: Alfred Washington

Position: Offensive Tackle

Height: 6’5”

Weight: 295

Hometown: Pensacola, Fla.

High School: Northeast Mississippi C.C.

Other Offers: Florida Atlantic, Florida International, Marshall, New Mexico St., North Texas, Toledo, Troy

I'm sure I'm one of the rare people who looks at the offensive line when you see a game of Madden.  In fact, I'd bet that at least 90% of you couldn't tell me a single thing about how offensive linemen look in Madden.  You watch the ball, and you might sometimes play as a pass rusher, but no one looks at the offensive line.  I'll fill you in:  the offensive linemen use good technique, but they're the ultimate non-player characters.  They look the same every time, and when the pass rusher attempts a certain pass rush move, the linemen reacts the same way every time, with randomness and the players' characteristics determining whether the pass rush is successful.  When you watch Washington, you see a classic Madden lineman because he drop steps perfectly.  He does it the same way every time, and he does it quickly.  Although Washington's long speed isn't especially impressive, he has great feet and really quick hands too.  I love his hand placement and he does a great job of positioning and re-positioning too. – Steve Sturm

Player: Kayden Bennett

Position: Edge

Height: 6’1”

Weight: 245

Hometown: Suffield, Conn.

High School: Suffield Academy

Other Offers: Boston College, UConn, Syracuse, Wake Forest, West Virginia

Kayden Bennett has a special burst that allows him to explode into a ball carrier and he uses that short area quickness to great effect with a spin move that is just too much for the average high school lineman.  I like the mix of pass rush moves that Bennett displays as well.  Even the best high school pass rushers tend to learn just one or two pass rush moves since a high major recruit doesn't need more than that in most cases.  However, Bennett has a long arm, a swim, an up-and-under and a hump move in addition to the spin moves.  That's an NFL type of arsenal. - Steve Sturm

Player: Micah Smith

Position: Offensive Lineman

Height: 6’5”

Weight: 325

Hometown: Vero Beach, Fla.

High School: Vero Beach

Other Offers: Alabama, Florida St., Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio St., Penn St., Tennessee, Texas, UCLA

The Illini have been direct about their priority this cycle: building depth and elevating the offensive line. There’s no secret inside the Illinois program that addressing the trenches is at the top of the offseason plan. Head coach Bret Bielema has long built his reputation on strong line play and developing players for the next level, and Smith fits the mold of the type of recruit Illinois wants, anchoring its future front. – Kedric Prince