Illinois High School Football 2026 Preseason All-State Team

Illinois enters the 2026 high school football season with a loaded collection of returning talent, from established All-State performers to some of the nation's most coveted recruits.

High School On SI's preseason All-State team includes stars from several of the state's top-ranked programs, including preseason No. 1 Chicago Mt. Carmel, East St. Louis and Brother Rice. Notre Dame is particularly well represented, with four selections committed to the Fighting Irish.

From record-setting quarterback Israel Abrams to five-star Brother Rice defensive lineman Kameron McGee, here is the 2026 High School On SI Illinois preseason All-State team.

QB Israel Abrams, Montini Catholic, SR

Abrams passed for 4,072 yards with 40 touchdowns and just six interceptions as a junior. The Montini Catholic senior is committed to Miami.

RB Myson Johnson-Cook, East St. Louis, SR

Myson Johnson-Cook rushed for more than 900 yards at DeSoto (Texas) as a sophomore before transferring to East St. Louis, where he led the Flyers with 1,341 yards and 20 touchdowns last season. Johnson-Cook returned to Illinois last fall after rushing for more than 900 yards as a sophomore at DeSoto (Texas). He led East St. Louis with 1,341 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns as a junior, helping the Flyers reach the Class 6A championship game. The senior is committed to Auburn.

RB Jamar Lewis, King College Prep, JR

Lewis is the top junior running back in Illinois after rolling up 1,561 yards and 21 touchdowns.

WR Quentin Burrell, Chicago Mt. Carmel, SR

Burrell was named to several All-America teams as a junior, and he’s back for one more season after hauling in 67 receptions for 1,139 yards and 18 touchdowns for the Class 8A state champions. The senior is committed to Michigan.

WR Bennett Konkey, Geneva, SR

Konkey is looking to build on a junior season in which he caught 41 passes for 739 yards and nine touchdowns. The senior plans to stay in state and play for Illinois.

TE Brock Williams, Libertyville, SR

Texas commit Brock Williams is one of Illinois' top returning tight ends after catching 44 passes for 596 yards and 11 touchdowns as a junior.

OL Ben Coleman, Providence Catholic, JR

Coleman is a 6-foot-4, 285-pound junior tackle with a four-star rating and a long list of college suitors.

OL Joseph Frierdich, Carbondale, JR

Frierdich is the top offensive lineman in the state’s junior class — a 6-foot-7, 260-pound tackle with the ability to add some weight to his frame.

OL Mason Halliman, Lincoln-Way East, SR

Halliman is a senior interior lineman who checks in at 6-foot-4 and 275 pounds and remains uncommitted for now.

OL Wyatt VanBoening, Carmel Catholic, JR

VanBoening is a towering presence at 6-foot-7, 280 pounds and one of three four-star junior prospects at the position in Illinois.

OL Cameron Wagner, St. Joseph-Ogden, SR

The senior Wagner is a future Oregon Duck with an imposing 6-foot-6, 300-pound frame.

K Dane Olmstead, Freeburg, SR

Olmstead is both the top-ranked kicker and punter among Illinois seniors, and he’s a future Missouri Tiger.

RS Silas Dean, Marshall, JR

Dean is one of the top return specialists in Illinois, with 20 returns a year ago for 498 yards (24.98 average), including returns of 88, 74 and 64 yards.

DL David Folorunsho, St. Patrick, SR

Folorunsho is the No. 2 overall-ranked prospect regardless of position among Illinois seniors, and he’s committed to Notre Dame.

DL Kameron McGee, Brother Rice, JR

McGee is a five-star prospect rated by some analysts as the nation’s top recruit regardless of position in the Class of 2028. The junior remains uncommitted for now.

DL Brayden Parks, Brother Rice, SR

Parks is another highly ranked senior defensive lineman, and he’ll team up with Folorunsho next year at Notre Dame.

DL Darieon Prescott, Bolingbrook, JR

The four-star Prescott is the third preseason all-state defensive lineman on this list who plans to play for Notre Dame.

LB Eliaz Egbe, Palatine, JR

Egbe is rated as a top-10 prospect on the state’s list of junior prospects.

LB Roman Igwebuike, Chicago Mt. Carmel, SR

There isn’t a more highly regarded linebacker in Illinois than senior Igwebuike, who is set to join that trio of defensive linemen at Notre Dame.

LB Jameer Miles, Carmel Catholic, JR

Miles is making a name for himself as the highest-rated linebacker prospect among the state’s Class of 2028 juniors.

DB Raheem Floyd, East St. Louis, SR

Floyd is a senior cornerback for one of Illinois' top Class 6A contenders and is committed to Florida.

DB Tavares Harrington, Chicago Mt. Carmel, SR

Harrington is another highly rated prospect at cornerback who plans to attend Michigan.

DB Logan Thompson, Althoff Catholic, JR

Thompson is a four-star cornerback who leads the way among the rated junior defensive backs in Illinois.

DB Darrell Mattison, Morgan Park, SR

Mattison is a senior safety who is committed to Ole Miss.

P Dane Olmstead, Freeburg, SR

As noted above, Olmstead is also the state’s top-ranked kicker, but it’s really his punting where the future Missouri Tiger excels. He’s rated as the No. 4 senior punter in the nation by Kohl’s Professional Camps.

ATH Grant Bowen, Immaculate Conception, JR

Bowen is a tight end who is also being recruited as an athlete and may have the potential to change positions in college.

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