Football

By Steve Sturm - IlliniGuys Football Analyst

February 7, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

I hope you all enjoyed the Hank Beatty senior season. Just like Pat Bryant and Isaiah Williams before him, Beatty turned in a fantastic final year where he became a huge factor in the offense and put all of his development and growth as a player to good use. Hudson Clement is the only senior on the roster at this point, so if you're a gambling man, you should take the over on his receptions and yards for 2026.

Newcomers
Illinois was very active in the portal seeking to replace the guys I mentioned below, adding Jayshon Platt from Florida Atlantic, Alex Perry from Florida International, and Ty Robinson from Ball State. Platt had 46 catches for 720 yards at Florida Atlantic and added 23.6 yards per kick return. Platt has both track speed and film speed and I was especially happy to see that he'd already added 20 pounds to his skinny frame so that he'd be ready to play right away in the Big Ten at 6'1 195. At this point he's not running the entire route tree, but I'd still project him to be effective on deep balls and even passes or runs that allow him to run in open space. Platt has taken a long time to develop and has only one year of eligibility left, which is a shame because this is a guy who has the tools to be special if he puts it all together. As of this writing I'd project him for a Justin Bowick type of role. If he learns to block, then he could be a starter.

I'm not as high on fellow Floridian Alex Perry from Florida International.

For the first time since Dec. 2022, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema will need to fill a coordinator spot on coaching staff after losing Aaron Henry to Notre Dame. IlliniGuys.com have broken down a potential list of candidates here. 

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

February 2, 2026

NOTE: It should be known this hot board will be updated based on sourced information during the search process as Illinois head coach Bret Bielema attempts to find his third defensive coordinator hire since Bielema’s arrival in Champaign on Dec. 2020. However, as of now (late evening of Feb. 1), this is a list in no particular order fully based on nothing more than speculation and should not be used as anything more than a guideline on potential candidates. 

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — For the third time since accepting to be Illinois’ head coach in Dec. 2020, Bret Bielema will need to hire a defensive play-caller to his coaching staff just a few months before 2026 spring practices are slated to begin on the University of Illinois campus. 

One of the few logical ways IlliniGuys.com felt to best separate potential candidates for this hot board was in two categories. Before the 2021 season, Bielema publicly discussed his desire to hire coordinators who he’d never worked with and had no previous ties with in his coaching career. Despite obviously filling his assistant coach positions with people he’d either coached, worked with in some capacity or interviewed for previous openings he’d had at either Wisconsin or Arkansas, (defensive line coach Terrance Jamsion, offensive line coach Bart Miller, then-defensive backs coach Aaron Henry, linebackers coach Andy Buh, wide receivers coach George McDonald and chief of staff Mark Taurisani), the Illini head coach said he felt it would be a unhealthy start to hire coordinators he’d had a previous relationship with because he wanted those spots to A) represent a new philosophical beginning to Bielema’s restart in the college game and B) be strictly merit-based hires. Enter the hirings of former Appalachian State offensive coordinator Tony Petersen, former Missouri defensive coordinator Ryan Walters and former Air Force special teams coordinator Ben Miller. The results of this philosophy were mixed as by the end of the 2022 regular season, none of these three men were in these jobs as Petersen was fired after just one season, Walters left to become Purdue’s head coach after two seasons at Illinois and Miller was forced to take a medical leave of absence from the position after being diagnosed with colon cancer. In each of the subsequent searches following the departure of Petersen and Walters, Bielema reversed course on his philosophy and elected to go with people who he’d worked with in the past and had a deep connection with professionally and personally. Barry Lunney Jr. reunited with Bielema in 2022 after Lunney spent five years as the tight ends coach at Arkansas under Bielema from 2013-17. To replace Walters after the 2022 season, Bielema elected to quickly with an in-house promotion of Aaron Henry, who was offered the full-time play-caller role before the 2023 ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa.

Therefore, based on the five-year history of Bielema’s behavior in this decision-making spot, a logical way to categorize this hot board for Bielema’s third defensive coordinator hire should be split between three categories: 1) Those with a previous connection; 2) Those without any previous ties to the Illini head coach; 3) An in-house promotion

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

February 6, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Ball State Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Bret Bielema continues his poaching of the former Ball State coaching staff over the past few seasons.

Jared Elliott will be in charge of the tight end position on Bielema’s Illinois coaching staff starting with this spring practices in preparation for the upcoming 2026 season and the 39-year-old brings 18 years of collegiate coaching experience, including four seasons as a head coach and seven years in coordinator roles. Elliott most recently served as the tight ends coach at New Mexico under first-year head coach Jason Eck during the 2025 season, where he helped the Lobos to 9-win season that included an overtime loss to Minnesota in the Rate Bowl.

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Sr. Recruiting Analyst

February 6, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy player's X page)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The Illinois football program has added a late but confident addition to its 2026 recruiting class, securing a commitment from Byron High School athlete Caden Considine, a 6-foot, 205-pound defensive back who believes his best football is still ahead of him.

Considine, a versatile two-way standout, arrives in Champaign embracing the chip on his shoulder that has followed him throughout the recruiting process. Despite gaudy production and championship experience, the Illinois native felt largely overlooked by college programs. That perception only fueled his drive.

IlliniGuys.com has learned the Buffalo Bills have targeted Illinois defensive line coach Terrance Jamison to join a newly-formed coaching staff led by newly hired head coach Joe Brady. 

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

February 6, 2026

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The coaching departures from the Illinois football staff may not be over just yet. 

Sources close to the situation have informed IlliniGuys.com Insider/Analyst & Co-Host Brad Sturdy that the Buffalo Bills have targeted Illini co-defensive coordinator Terrance Jamison to be its new defensive line coach as the franchise continues its offseason coaching staff overhaul. A source inside the football program confirmed to IlliniGuys.com that Jamison was in the Smith Family Football Complex in Champaign Wednesday and nothing has been finalized with Jamison and the Bills organization. 

Jamison is in his sixth season and was an original member of Bret Bielema’s Illini coaching staff when Bielema was hired as the program’s head coach in Dec. 2020. Jamison was given the title of co-defensive coordinator/defensive line coach in 2023 following two seasons leading the Illinois defensive front following a move to reunite with Bielema after spending four seasons coaching defensive line at three Football Bowl Subdivision programs (Purdue, Air Force and Texas Tech). 

The news of Jamison’s services being targeted by a National Football League franchise comes as he’s approaching the last season of a two-year extension that was approved by the university board of trustees that sees Jamison at an average annual salary of $662,500.

Upon finishing his fifth season in charge of the Illini football program, Bielema promised noticeable philosophical and schematic changes to his program’s defense in a 28-minute media conference on Wednesday evening inside State Farm Center. 

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema is suggesting his new defensive play-caller starting in the 2026 season is the time to begin a pivot of a defensive philosophy. 

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

February 4, 2026

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — After an offseason of departures that included eight players off last season’s defensive front seven two-deep and a third-year defensive coordinator to Notre Dame, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema is convinced the 2026 campaign has to be pivot point for change. 

Upon finishing his fifth season in charge of the Illini football program, Bielema promised noticeable philosophical and schematic changes to his program’s defense. 

“It’s a definite scheme change that will probably be different than anything you’ve seen at Illinois,” Bielema said Wednesday night. “It’s a scheme and a package that I’ve been intrigued with, especially in the NFL and seeing things play out. We’ll see where it goes from there.” 

The intriguing mystery of Bielema’s timeline to hire a new defensive coordinator was the Illini head coach saying he had an idea of the hire he was going to make but “can’t announce it until after the Super Bowl but the intention of what I have in mind and where I’m going will get to play out next week”. 

Bielema all but guaranteed Wednesday that his defensive coordinator would have previous play-calling experience and with this promised scheme change is unlikely to be a person Bielema has previously worked with. 

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Sr. Recruiting Analyst

February 4, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy New Era Prep)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The Illinois football program continues to build momentum on the recruiting trail, adding its third late commitment in three days as wide receiver Leslie Mosley Jr. announced his pledge to the Illini.

The recent surge began Sunday with cornerback Caden Considine from Byron, Illinois. It continued with Mount Zion wide receiver Jacob Harvey flipping his commitment from Illinois State on Tuesday. Today, Illinois added Mosley Jr., a 2026 prospect from West Palm Beach, Florida, giving the program another key piece in the upcoming class.

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Sr. Recruiting Analyst

February 4. 2026

(Cover photo courtesy player's X page)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Recruiting momentum can shift in an instant, and for Mount Zion wide receiver Jacob Harvey, that moment came when Illinois entered the picture.

Harvey originally planned to attend Illinois State and play for the Redbirds, but a late push from the Illini staff changed the trajectory of his recruitment. Illinois ultimately convinced the in-state standout to stay home and join the program, giving the Illini another late addition to their growing class.

Harvey, a 6-foot-2, 190-pound wide receiver from Mount Zion High School, becomes the second late addition for Illinois in recent days, joining cornerback Caden Considine of Byron, Illinois.

By Steve Sturm - IlliniGuys Football Analyst

February 3, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

Bret Bielema has always loved tight ends. Wherever he's been, that's been a constant. Barry Lunney has also loved his tight ends at his three college stops. However, the manner in which they've used those tight ends has been anything but consistent. At Wisconsin and Arkansas, Bielema has used tight ends as blockers, but has often had an occasional guy who's a receiver-first as well. Lunney's offenses at Arkansas and UTSA have been receivers first, but guys who can block a little too. Bielema's first OC Tony Petersen filled the roster with blocking tight ends, and Lunney has used primarily blockers since he's arrived too. However, Tip Reiman and Tanner Arkin are gone and there's an opportunity to change things up a bit. What does that mean for 2026? Well, read on.

Newcomers
Officially, there's only one new player at the position: freshman Will Vala.

After three years calling the defenses at Illinois, Aaron […]

By Zeno Jo - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

January 31, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Joe Clark/IlliniGuys)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Back in November, Illinois was just the second program to offer St. Laurence linebacker Sean Rice, who, since making the switch to his new position, has seen production – and interest – grow in a big way. He caught up with IlliniGuys writer Zeno Jo during the program’s Junior Day earlier in January to talk about his recruitment process.

Since visiting Illinois in November, Rice’s list of Division I offers has grown from two to 11. He attributes that growth to the switch from defensive line to linebacker, which came, in large part, thanks to his coaches. He calls the decision to switch positions “by far” one of the best decisions he’s ever made.

After three years at Illinois, Robby Discher has elected to leave Bret Bielema’s staff to join Ryan Day’s operation at Ohio State.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

January 31, 2026

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — When Illinois opens its 2026 Big Ten Conference schedule on Sept. 26 at Ohio State, Robby Discher will be on the sidelines coaching but it will be on the home side.

Discher has agreed to join Ryan Day’s coaching staff to be the Buckeyes special teams coordinator leaving Illini head coach Bret Bielema in need of replacing two position coach spots, one of which is one of his three coordinators who he values on his staff.

Bielema had previously said that he expected all three of the coordinators on his staff to return for the 2026 season but Discher has elected to leave for Ohio State’s operation that is 79-12 overall and 54-5 in the Big Ten in the seven seasons of Day’s leadership. Discher’s hiring in Columbus, Ohio marks the first time Ohio State will have a full-fledged special teams coordinator since it fired Parker Fleming after the 2023 season. Ohio State’s special teams were overseen for the past two seasons by quality control coach Rob Keys and program assistant Gunner Daniel.

By Steve Sturm - IlliniGuys Football Analyst

January 30, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

The Illini will start the 2026 season with the same three backs that figured to lead them in the 2025 season: Ca'Lil Valentine, Kaden Feagin and Aidan Laughery. However, with the recent news that the Illini are experimenting with Feagin as a tight end next year and the addition of two more excellent prospects, I don't expect 2026 to be more of the same for this group. For one thing, Valentine passed Feagin as the primary back as the year went on and he figures to take an even bigger role in 2026. Valentine has added 25 pounds since he arrived in Champaign, and with a little more weight he could be in line for a run to the NFL next season.

Newcomers
Javari Barnett from Tampa Bay Tech flipped back to Illinois from his Alabama commitment on signing day and Nelsyn Wheeler from Omaha Millard South exploded into a high level prospect after transferred to one of the top teams in Nebraska. Barnett was one of my favorite early commitments, so I wasn't surprised when Alabama swooped in and talked him out of his Illini pledge. However, Barnett had an injury plagued senior year in which he didn't really progress as a player, so I also wasn't terribly surprised when he slipped back out of his Illini commitment.

By Steve Sturm - IlliniGuys Football Analyst

January 28, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy East Carolina Athletics)

I know you're all expecting recruiting spotlights on each of our newcomers, but with the constant comings and goings I decided it was better to break down the post-portal roster position by position. And, since everyone was most anxious to learn who our quarterback would be, I'm starting there.

The newcomer: Katin Houser, transfer from ECU. I really thought the Illini nailed this one. Typically a P4 program without unlimited dollars is looking for a transfer QB who was highly rated but failed at his first school or a guy who did well against lesser competition but is looking to move up a level in his last year of eligibility. In Houser, the Illini got the best of both worlds. He's a guy who had the ability to earn a 4-star rating coming out of high school, yet he also shone at ECU when he transferred after Michigan State's new coach Jonathan Smith brought a new QB with him to East Lansing. Houser redshirted in his first year and then took over as the primary starter in 2023. However, Michigan State endured a brutal season that saw the Spartans start off decently but then fall apart down the stretch. Houser took over the starting job in week 4 and generally played like a talented player who wasn't ready yet.

The Illinois football team's 2026 Big Ten schedule was […]