Illinois Football 2026 Projected Depth Chart: Live Lineup and Injury Tracker

Follow any changes to Illinois on SI's projections for the Illini's starting lineup, depth chart and player availability for the 2026 season

Sep 3, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema shakes hands with the crowd before an NCAA game against UAB at Gies Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Illinois on SI will project and update the Illini football starting lineup and depth chart throughout the 2026 season, linking to the scouting reports of key contributors below. Our projections will reflect changes based on injuries and announced lineup, depth chart and position moves, but they are only the best estimations from the staff of Illinois on SI.

This page will be updated as new information becomes available, including as availability reports are released, per Big Ten injury-transparency rules. More names and scouting reports will be added below throughout the season as players receive on-field opportunities and position battles play out.

Scroll to the bottom to find the latest injury updates.

Illinois' 2026 projected depth chart

Last updated: Sept. 15, 2026 @ 12:40 a.m. CT*

*Bookmark, refresh and return often for the latest information

Offense

Illinois running back Ca'Lil Valentine (5) is tripped up by Tennessee linebacker Jadon Perlotte (27) during the fourth quarter of the Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

QUARTERBACK

QB1: Katin Houser
QB2: Carson Boyd
QB3: Michael Clayton II

RUNNING BACK

RB1: Ca'Lil Valentine
RB2: Aidan Laughery
RB3: Jordan Anderson

WIDE RECEIVER

WR1: Collin Dixon
WR2: Hudson Clement
WR3: Brayden Trimble
WR4: Ty Robinson
WR5: Jayshon Platt**

TIGHT END

TE1: Christian Abney
TE2: Kaden Feagin
TE3: Davin Stoffel

OFFENSIVE LINE

LT: Christian Martin
LG: Brandon Hansen
C: Jake Renfro
RG: Dezmond Schuster
RT: Nathan Knapik

SUB1: Eddie Tuerk
SUB2: Maika Matelau**
SUB3: Brandon Henderson**

Defense

Nov 2, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini defensive back Matthew Bailey (7) leaps over Minnesota Golden Gophers offensive lineman Phillip Daniels (60) to get to Minnesota Golden Gophers quarterback Max Brosmer (16) during the second half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

DEFENSIVE LINE

DE: Joe Barna
NT: Darrell Prater
DE: Pat Farrell

SUB1: Will Holmes
SUB2: Carter Janki
SUB3: Demetrius John

LINEBACKERS

JACK: Mason Muragin
MLB: James Kreutz
WLB: Ismael Kante

SUB1: Grant Beerman
SUB2: Ean Rhea
SUB3: Daniel Brown**

DEFENSIVE BACKS

CB: Tywan Cox
SS: Matthew Bailey
FS: Mac Resetich
NB: Xavier Scott
CB: Juice Clarke

SUB1: Jakwon Morris
SUB2: Lavon Williams
SUB3: Tanner Heckel

SPECIALISTS

K: Ethan Moczulski
P: Lars Rau
KR: Ca'Lil Valentine
PR: Mac Resetich
LS: Patrick Mahoney III

**Injured player

Latest injury and position updates

Sept. 14, 2026: OL TJ McMillen will miss the remainder of the season after suffering a foot fracture against Duke, Illinois coach Bret Bielema announced at a press conference Monday. Bielema suggested G Brandon Henderson and G Maika Matelau could possibly return for the Southern Illinois game.

Sept. 12, 2026 (GAME DAY vs. DUKE): As expected, G Brandon Henderson, WR Jayshon Platt and LB Daniel Brown will miss the Blue Devils game. But G Maika Matelau is also unavailable for Duke.

Sept. 8, 2026: Illinois coach Bret Bielema indicated G Brandon Henderson and WR Jayshon Platt are expected to miss the Illini's Week 2 game against Duke, but LB Daniel Brown could make his season debut against the Blue Devils. Click here for more info.

Sept. 3, 2026 (GAME DAY vs. UAB): During his Tuesday press conference, Illinois coach Bret Bielema announced WR Jayshon Platt and LB Daniel Brown are the team's only regulars who would miss the UAB game. Both are expected to return during the season.