Illinois Football Lands Three-Star In-State Offensive Lineman Casey Thomann

The Illini added the program's 10th commitment to their 2026 class – and third from Illinois – on Tuesday

Dec 31, 2024; Orlando, FL, USA; The Illinois Fighting Illini huddle up before the game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Reper-Imagn Images | Jeremy Reper-Imagn Images

The Illinois football program added its latest building block Tuesday morning by snagging another in-state prospect in three-star offensive tackle Casey Thomann.

Started today with our #famILLy in a 6AM workout that set the standard for what we have been working on all of Jan & Feb and now into March week 7/8 and spring ball is starting next week.

But today just seems like some good news is coming….🤷‍♂️👀🤷‍♂️#ILL 🟧🟦🏈🟦🟧 #INI

— Bret Bielema (@BretBielema) March 4, 2025

Thomann's pledge marks the 10th commitment in the 2026 class for coach Bret Bielema and his staff, which puts Illinois at No. 5 nationally, according to 247 Sports' composite rankings, after a rather quiet yet important February.

The 6-foot-7, 302-pound Thomann (Richland County High School/Olney, Illinois) made the news official with an announcement on his X social media account: He picked Illinois over Iowa, Iowa State, Kent State and Eastern Michigan, to name a few.

Committed!! ILL🔶🔷 #FamILLy @IlliniFootball pic.twitter.com/SVA5yUXX4P

— CaseyThomann 3⭐️ (@ThomannCasey) March 4, 2025

In a lengthy post thanking his high school coaches and teammates, Thomann expressed gratitude for the support in helping him get this far.

"To my coaches, thank you for always believing and pushing me to become who I am today as a player and person," Thomann' posted. "To OTN and all. my teammates, thank you for becoming a family for me and we aren't done [chasing a state title yet]."

Thomann is the third 2026 in-state pledge for Illinois, joining Davon Grant and Jacob Alexander, who hail from DeKalb and Lincoln-Way East, respectively.

It is still early in the recruiting cycle period, but it's clear the Fighting Illini are making inroads toward competing with college football's elite in the race for talent. USC and Oregon lay claim to the top spots nationally for now, and the Big Ten has additional representation with Penn State at No. 6, Iowa at No. 18 and Ohio State at No. 21.

Falling just outside the top 25 is Rutgers at No. 29, Minnesota at No. 33, Michigan State at No. 38 and Maryland at No. 40.

The Illini are gearing up for an important spring period as they attempt to build off last season's 10-win triumph.

More From Illinois on Sports Illustrated:

Illinois Football Tabs Ex-NFL Staffer Joe Kim as Skill Development Coordinator

New Illini DE James Thompson Jr. Chose Champaign for More Than Football

Four-Star Linebacker Cam Thomas Commits to Illinois Football