Recruiting

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

Illinois quarterback Trey Petty and linebacker Easton Baker plan to enter the transfer portal, per multiple reports

Football

Illinois quarterback Trey Petty and linebacker Easton Baker plan to enter the transfer portal, per multiple reports

Recent Articles

Oct 4, 2025; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema stands on the sidelines during the second quarter against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

Football

The Illini landed impact talent across the board to kick off the early signing period – and Illinois on SI is here to sort it all out

Football

The Illini have put together a fantastic 2026 recruiting class – one that got even better with the signing of Smith

Nov 16, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema gives a hand to players before the game against the Michigan State Spartans at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Football

The Illini added three top JUCO linemen and the nation’s best JUCO cornerback, reinforcing key positions for the future

Football

The Illini, coming off what most considered a letdown of a regular season, were still able to nab Barnett from the Crimson Tide

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Follow Illinois on SI's live tracker for all the signings, information, updates and analysis on the newest Illini during the early signing day period

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Offensive tackle TJ Taylor and cornerback Jakwon Morris – top-15 overall JUCO prospects – have both signed with the Illini

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema is shown after their game Saturday, October 1, 2022 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis. Illinois beat Wisconsin 34-10.

MARK HOFFMAN/MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL

Football

Bret Bielema and his staff extended another offer to a top junior college recruit, this time to linebacker Archie Chambers

Nov 1, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema before an NCAA game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Football

The Illini offered a scholarship to Lofton, a defensive back from East St. Louis, earlier this week

Basketball

A 6-foot-6, 205-pound forward from East Peoria, Kitt becomes the first Illini commit in the class of 2027

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

Basketball

Morillo, a top 2026 prospect and Illinois signee, has drawn comparisons to one memorable former Illini star

Sep 27, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema reacts during the second half against the Southern California Trojans at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Football

Top-10 overall junior college prospect TJ Taylor included Illinois among his top five schools on Wednesday

Basketball

Morillo, a long-bodied, do-it-all guard from Mount Vernon, New York, made his commitment to the Illini official on Thursday

Football

Northeast Mississippi CC's Alfred Washington, rated the No. 7 JUCO offensive lineman in the nation, committed to Illinois on Tuesday

Football

Smith, from Division II Chowan University, could hop into an open quarterback competition in Champaign with one year of eligibility left

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

Days after Landon Davis signed with the Illini, Brown made his own commitment official by signing on the dotted line

Waukee Northwest's Landon Davis (30) shoots a free throw on Monday, March 10, 2025, at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.

Basketball

The Illini have received three commitments in the 2026 recruiting, but Davis became the first to sign on the dotted line Wednesday

Oct 4, 2025; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema watches warm ups before the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

Football

The Illini offered scholarships to JUCO teammates Keon Hutchins and Dre Riley on Wednesday

Football

The Illini offered another top junior college prospect in Northeast Mississippi Community College offensive lineman Alfred Washington

Nov 30, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema looks on against Northwestern Wildcats during the second half at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images

Football

Illinois offered another junior college recruit after offering Hutchinson Community College wide receiver Derrick Salley Jr. on Wednesday.

Sep 20, 2025; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema walks onto the field prior to the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

Football

The Illini enter the bye week on a high note, reloading on the recruiting trail after a dominant win over Rutgers

Nov 1, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema greets players and parents before an NCAA game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Football

The Illini got in the mix early for a high-profile high school playmaker as they aim to keep building the program's foundation

Nov 1, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema greets player running back Ca'Lil Valentine (5) before an NCAA game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Football

Linebacker Sean Rice (Burbank, Illinois) and athlete Madoxx Davis (Cartersville, Georgia) both received offers from the Illini on Saturday

Sep 27, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema gives players a hand after a 34-32 win against the Southern California Trojans at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Football

The Illini offered Matelau, a power-blocking class of 2026 lineman from Mt. San Antonio College (California), on Wednesday

Football

The next group of Illini stars are wrapping up their prep careers, while Illinois continues to target additional talent to add to the mix