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Illinois Football Lands Three-Star Offensive Lineman From Class of 2026

Tony Balanganayi, a well-regarded in-state offensive lineman, committed to the Illini on Wednesday
Pranav Hegde|
Sep 22, 2012; Champaign, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini offensive line against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs defense during the second quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bradley Leeb-Imagn Images
Sep 22, 2012; Champaign, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini offensive line against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs defense during the second quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bradley Leeb-Imagn Images | Bradley Leeb-Imagn Images

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Illinois Fighting Illini

Illinois coach Bret Bielema's commitment to building a program that beats the competition to in-state recruits and then beats them up in the trenches on the field has paid off yet again.

Bielema and the Illini on Wednesday received a commitment from three-star offensive lineman Tony Balanganayi, a class of 2026 recruit out of Palatine High School.

Balanganayi, listed at 6-foot-4 and 260 pounds, is a top-25 player from the state of Illinois, per 247 Sports. Before choosing the Illini, he was also offered by high-major programs such as Ole Miss, Missouri and Iowa State. Balanganayi is the 14th commitment in Illinois' seventh-ranked 2026 recruiting class (per 247 Sports).

Balanganayi visited Champaign last weekend, making the trip from the Chicago suburbs to check out campus and Bielema's operation. The Illini were able to close the deal then and there, with Balanganayi deciding not to make his remaining two scheduled visits – to Missouri (May 30) and Iowa State (June 6).

Illinois' offensive line struggled early in the 2024 season, but it steadily improved as the year progressed, finishing with an impressive performance in the Citrus Bowl. Bielema and his staff’s ability to develop blockers has clearly resonated with recruits – not just other offensive linemen, but also those who depend on them – and the Illini are starting to reap the rewards.

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Pranav Hegde
PRANAV HEGDE

Primarily covers Illinois football, basketball and golf, with an emphasis on news, analysis and features. Hegde, an electrical engineering student at Illinois with an affinity for sports writing, has been writing for On SI since April 2025. He can be followed and reached on Instagram @pranavhegde__.

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