Ked's Recruitng Roundup: Early in the Football Transfer Portal, Illinois Amongst the Nation’s Best

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Sr. Recruiting Analyst

January 9, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois head football coach Bret Bielema and his staff have been aggressive in this year’s portal, which officially opened Jan. 2 and will close next Friday and roughly 3,000 players nationwide are searching for a new destination for the 2026 season.

Teams participating in the College Football Playoff national championship game will receive an extension from Jan. 20th through Jan. 24 . . .

 

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