By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Sr. Recruiting Analyst
January 13, 2026
(Cover photo courtesy Kedric Prince/IlliniGuys)
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — With only a few days left in this year’s transfer portal window, Illinois football has experienced its share of roster movement like programs across the country. Still, head coach Bret Bielema continues to place major emphasis on high school recruiting, especially within the state of Illinois.
One of the top names now connected to the Illini is Brayden Parks, a 6-foot-2, 305-pound defensive tackle from Brother Rice High School. According to one national recruiting site, Parks is 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