Recruiting - Illinois Fighting Illini On SI - Sports Illustrated

Recruiting

Central Catholic quarterback Owen Herrick steps back in the pocket during the PIAA Class 6A football championship game at Cumberland Valley High School, Friday, Dec. 6, 2025, in Mechanicsburg, Pa.

The Illini landed a high-level gunslinger in Herrick, who could develop into the program's quarterback of the future

Central Catholic quarterback Owen Herrick steps back in the pocket during the PIAA Class 6A football championship game at Cumberland Valley High School, Friday, Dec. 6, 2025, in Mechanicsburg, Pa.

Football

The Illini landed a high-level gunslinger in Herrick, who could develop into the program's quarterback of the future

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Apr 4, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts against the Connecticut Huskies in the second half during a semifinal of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

Basketball

The Illini have had some highly rated classes, but their 2026 group may have the best mixture of depth and talent of any Brad Underwood class

Sunnyslope Vikings forward Darius Wabbington (21) celebrates their 61-57 win over the Millennium Tigers at Sunnyslope High School on Jan. 21, 2026.

Basketball

What does Wabbington moving his visit date to this weekend mean, and why is he such a key target for the Illini?

Jan 8, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood greets the crowd before he first half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Basketball

Breaking down AJ Williams' fit with Illinois if he were to land in Champaign in 2027-28

Apr 4, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts against the Connecticut Huskies in the second half during a semifinal of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

Basketball

Bowman, a priority target for the Illini who was set to visit Champaign this weekend, is off the board – but Illinois still has future guard options

Apr 4, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts after a play against the UConn Huskies during the first half of a semifinal of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Basketball

Brad Underwood and his staff have a laundry list of five-star visits on the docket, but who among them is the best fit for Illinois?

Jan 2, 2026; Mesa, AZ, USA; Spire Institute (OH) guard King Gibson (2) against Arizona Compass Prep during the HoopHall West Tournament at Skyline High School. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Basketball

King Gibson, a dynamic combo guard in the class of 2027, cut his list to ten schools, and he included the Illini

Illinois men's basketball coach Brad Underwood speaks to the media after the Illini's 92-65 exhibition win over Illinois State on Oct. 19 at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois.

Basketball

Will McCoy, a Chicago native who played at Arizona State the past two seasons, make an impact as a late addition for the Illini?

East Peoria’s Quinton Kitt (23) shoots over Peoria High’s Jacob Duffin Jr. in the first half of their high school basketball game Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026 at Peoria High School. The Lions defeated the Raiders 65-61.

Basketball

Kitt, a 2027 Illini commit, has yet to officially visit campus, but that's now set to change in late October

Feb 27, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood greets the crowd before the first half against the Michigan Wolverines at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Basketball

Kamissoko is the latest five-star prospect to schedule a visit with the Illini, who may be ascending to a new level of regard

Oct 11, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema during warmups prior to a game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Football

Konkey, an Illini wide receiver commit, just exploded in his season-opening performance on Friday, showcasing his primary skill: speed

Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood watches the action Friday, March 14, 2025, in a quarterfinals game at the 2025 TIAA Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament between the Maryland Terrapins and the Illinois Fighting Illini at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

Basketball

The Illini officially entered the race for Lusakueno, a five-star forward with an ideal skill set for Illinois' system

Sunnsylope forward Darius Wabbington (21) drives on St Mary’s forward Cam Williams (1) during the Open Boys Championship game at Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Phoenix on March 7, 2026.

Basketball

The Illini appear to be in the mix to land Wabbington, despite the big man having released a top six that doesn't include Illinois

Jan 21, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood greets fans as he enters the floor during pre-game introductions at State Farm Center in a matchup against the Maryland Terrapins.. Mandatory Credit: Fred Zwicky-Imagn Images

Basketball

The Illini will host Pettigrew, an in-state target who also will take trips to a handful of other powerhouse programs

Mar 23, 2025; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts during the second half in the second round of the NCAA Tournament against the Kentucky Wildcats at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

Basketball

The Illini appear to be firmly in the mix for 2028 prospect Dylan Betts, a 7-foot-3 big man with incredible upside

Nov 11, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood walks to the court before the game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Basketball

The Illini appear to be in the thick of the race for Bowman, a high-scoring guard from California

Apr 4, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts against the Connecticut Huskies in the second half during a semifinal of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

Basketball

The Illini threw their hat in the ring for top-ranked 2028 recruit Williams, an ultra-dynamic player on both ends of the floor

Jan 17, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood before the first half against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Basketball

The Illini are setting up a visit with a four-star forward in the 2027 class, while a key 2028 in-state target was named the first EYBL 16U MVP ever

Feb 8, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood looks on during the first half against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Williams Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Basketball

The Illini extended an offer to Benjmain Berrouet, a versatile, high-upside forward from the class of 2028

Illinois head football coach Bret Bielema during the second quarter of a Big Ten football game against Penn State, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in State College, Pa.

Football

Bret Bielema landed his 16th player for the 2027 recruiting class after three-star cornerback Trezavant Boyd (Miami Central) committed to Illinois on Wednesday.

Nov 14, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood greets the crowd before the tip of the game with the Colgate Raiders at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Basketball

The Illini are the first high-major program to offer Stasys, an in-state recruit with a unique skill set

Illinois coach Bret Bielema celebrates after the Illini's 30-28 win over No. 23 Tennessee in the Music City Bowl on Dec. 30, 2025, at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee.

Football

Flemister, a three-star defensive back from Detroit, further bolstered coach Bret Bielema's 2027 recruiting class by committing to the Illini

Mar 13, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Basketball

The Illini continue to make Pettigrew, an in-state 2028 target, one of their top priorities – and for good reason

Apr 2, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois head coach Brad Underwood during a press conference ahead of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

Basketball

The Illini extended the first high-major offer to Connor, whose ongoing development could push him to far outplay his unranked status

Apr 3, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood speaks during a press conference ahead of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Basketball

Certain 2027 recruits have separated themselves from the others as the best the Illini should pursue