Editor's Note: We want to welcome Zeno Jo to our IlliniGuys team! Zeno is a Champaign native and University of Illinois graduate who has done some work for The Champaign Room among other outlets. He will assist with our recruiting reporting as well as turning in Illini-based features.

By Zeno Jo - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 11, 2025

Tyler McClure is one of two Champaign natives on the I2025 Illinois football roster. (Courtesy Illinois Athletics)

(Photos courtesy Illinois Athletics)

In recent years, Bret Bielema’s Illinois football team has slowly filled its ranks with some of the best in-state talent. In the past few recruiting classes alone, he and his staff have managed to keep top in-state recruits like Malik Elzy, Kaden Feagin, and - soon - Nasir Rankin in the Prairie State.

As it has in years past, the team also has some local talent. This year, senior Tyler McClure and redshirt freshman Karson Kaiser are the only two natives of the Champaign-Urbana area to be on the roster.

“It’s great to play for – and I can’t even say it’s my hometown, Tyler can – but it’s nice to stay here,” Kaiser said. “Champaign’s a great spot, great college town. [We’re] two Champaign kids, the only two Champaign kids on the roster. Being able to play in the spot that you’ve called home for however many years is a great thing.”

The reason Kaiser can’t quite call Champaign his hometown? He’s only been here for four years, moving from Florida.

He’s the son of Jay Kaiser, who was Illinois’ director of college personnel and NFL liaison for the past four seasons, and is entering his first year as the assistant to the head coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars. He’s lived in Champaign for four years, graduating from Centennial High School in 2024.

McClure, at least according to Kaiser, has every right to call the 217 his hometown. “I grew up going to all of these games,” McClure says. “Football, basketball, baseball... My parents both played here, so I knew I wanted to play for Illinois for as long as I could remember, and then getting the chance to actually do that, God willing, it’s been an unbelievable experience. I’m just so grateful.”

McClure was born in Champaign, went to middle school at Judah Christian School, and graduated from Centennial in 2021. His parents played baseball and volleyball for Illinois, but he didn’t suit up for the Illini right out of high school. He began his career at Kaskaskia College in Southern Illinois, where he played a year of baseball before transferring to Illinois in the spring of 2023.

The duo has an interesting dynamic. Kaiser says that McClure’s younger brother, Luke, is one of his closest friends, creating an interesting dynamic between the two.

“I didn’t really know him a lot until he became friends with Luke,” McClure said, explaining that the moment Kaiser joined the program was when they first knew each other as more than just the friend of a sibling. “When I first heard the news, we met up and broke down some film and got in the playbook.”

McClure and Kaiser are two of 49 players on Illinois’ 115-man roster with ties to Illinois. While the pair shares similar sentiments on in-state recruiting and the growth of the program under Bielema, there is one thing they can’t quite see eye-to-eye on: food.

When asked about their go-to spot in the 217, McClure and Kaiser went different routes.

“Ooh, Cactus Grill, without a doubt,” McClure said. “I think it’s Tuesdays, honey grilled chicken burrito.”

Kaiser, who’s never been to Cactus, went for Merry Ann’s, while the pair agreed on Watson’s and Smith Burger, rounding out their top three.

“I have to take you, I have to put you on there,” McClure said with a smile.