Illinois signed one of its highest-rated classes in program history. The Illini’s class of 2026 is ranked No. 21 in the nation and No. 6 in the Big Ten. Head coach Bret Bielema introduced the class in a press conference Wednesday afternoon.

The signing class consists of 30 players from across the world. The Illini signed eight recruits with four-star rankings across ESPN, 247Sports and Rivals’ rankings. They also tapped into the junior college market, signing four JUCO players who are top five in their position.

There are multiple top players and some intriguing prospects who bring unique skills to the team.

Kayden Bennett (four-star OLB): Kayden Bennett is one of four linebackers who signed with Illinois. He’s a gifted athlete off the edge. His explosiveness helps him get to the quarterback and make plays on defense.

He’s also a wrestler, which Bielema thinks can help him on the gridiron. He is one of the few commits who won’t be enrolling early as he continues his high school wrestling career.

“I think his upside is huge. Huge, huge, huge,” Bielema said.

Parker Crim (four-star DL): The defensive lineman from Ohio comes with a long list of accolades. He’s a twitchy player who can get through blocks and make plays in the pass and run game. Crim also plays with a lot of patience, waiting for the play to develop to bring down the ball carrier.

“He just has a presence of mind,” Bielema said. “A lot of times, kids will start running up the field or attacking; he just sits with patience.”

Jacob Eberhart (four-star DB): Jacob Eberhart is one of a handful of two-way players in this class. Eberhart played as a defensive back and lined up at wide receiver in high school. He plays aggressively on defense and will line up across the secondary. Bielema compared Eberhart to current junior Matthew Bailey.

“Reminds me a lot of the playstyle of Matt Bailey,” Bielema said. “(He’s) a really big, long athlete that plays with a lot of anger and a lot of intensity.”

On the offensive side, he’s long and athletic with a good catch radius. While he won’t start on offense right away, Bielema wants to get him involved on both sides eventually.

For Eberhart, Illinois was an easy choice. His father, Jason Eberhart, who passed away in 2023, played for Illinois. He chose Illinois over Alabama, Ohio State, Oregon, LSU and Miami.

Nick Hankins Jr. (four-star DB): Nick Hankins Jr. is another player who can play on both sides of the ball. Hankins Jr. played offense, defense and special teams in high school, and Bielema would like that to continue in college.

“We’ll eventually use him in all three phases,” Bielema said. “Obviously, on defense and as a return guy right away, but as he gets comfortable, we’ll move him.”

As a defensive back, Hankins Jr. can play corner and nickel. Bielema compared him to senior defensive back Xavier Scott. He has good anticipation and can read the field well.

On offense and special teams, Hankins Jr. can get dirty. On one play that was shown, he blocked someone down the field and out of bounds.

“Not condoning blocking anybody out of bounds,” Bielema said. “But when I saw this, I didn’t hate it.”

Kai Pritchard (four-star OL): Kai Pritchard can play both interior and tackle, but Illinois will start him off at tackle. Pritchard does well to get into the second level and continue blocking. He stays on his feet, which Bielema thought was impressive.

“A lot of times when big guys are out in space like that, they fall down,” Bielema said. “This kid is very seldom off his feet, unless he makes a decision to go there.”

Nas Rankin (four-star WR): Nas Rankin is a Morgan Park, Illinois, native, the same town as former Illinois guard Ayo Dosunmu. Rankin plays with awareness and has a high football IQ. He can high-point the football and make contested catches.

He’s another dual-athlete. Rankin plays basketball in high school and plans to play basketball for Illinois as well.

Micah “Champ” Smith (four-star OL): During the signing day press conference, Bielema paused to watch Micah Smith’s live commitment announcement. He looked on as Smith flipped from UCLA to Illinois to round out the 2026 class.

Smith is one of the top offensive linemen in the country and one of the highest Bielema has ever recruited. He plays with a lot of strength and can block into the second level. He also plays defensive line, but Bielema wants to keep him on the offensive line for the time being.

Bielema also showed a clip of Smith high-pointing a ball during a scrimmage and mossing his defender. Bielema said that Smith requested the clip be shown. Watch out for some trick plays with Smith down the road.

Cameron Thomas (four-star LB): Cameron Thomas is a versatile linebacker who can play on and off the ball. He will start as an off-ball linebacker, but will likely line up around the field eventually. Thomas can make plays off the edge and follows the ball well.

Maika Matelau (JUCO OL): Maika Matelau is the No. 1 JUCO interior offensive lineman in the country. He played one season at Mt. San Antonio before committing to Illinois. Matelau has good fundamentals and can play on both sides of the line.

“He’s very clean and (it’s) very easy for him to transition in and out of his stance,” Bielema said.

Bielema called him a quiet kid, but he plays with a lot of energy and intensity on the field.

Jakwon Morris (JUCO DB): Jakwon Morris is another No. 1 JUCO player. Morris is the top-rated JUCO defensive back in the country. He played two years at Northwest Mississippi Community College before committing to the Illini.

Morris has really good feet and acceleration. He plays smart, and Bielema likes his demeanor on the field.

Javari Barnett (three-star RB): Javari Barnett was committed to Illinois over the summer. However, the Florida native flipped his commitment to Alabama. The morning of signing day, Barnett flipped back to the Illini and officially signed with the program.

“Got a little off-track, committed somewhere else in the South to a school with a letter that sounds like ‘Hay,’” Bielema said. “Really excited to get him here with us.”

Barnett has the ability to make a big play on any down. One clip Bielema showed was a 99-yard touchdown where Barnett broke multiple tackles and outran the entire defense.

Michael Clayton II (three-star QB): Michael Clayton was one of the first to commit to Illinois in this class. He is also the only quarterback signed. With the starting position open, Clayton’s addition could create an interesting position battle. 

The quarterback showed impressive skills in high school. He can complete short, medium and deep passes with relative ease. Clayton also has a strong arm and can comfortably throw 50 yards.

Clayton drew high praise from Bielema during his signing day press conference.

“(He’s) a really accurate guy, puts it where the defense can’t (get it),” Bielema said. “Really good touch on the ball.”

Jack Gray (three-star P): Jack Gray is an interesting player, as he only started playing American football in January 2025. The Australian native is the only special team addition in this class.

His late start isn’t the only fun fact about Gray. The punter is ambidextrous, meaning he can punt with his right and left foot.

“Very, very unique in the things that you can gameplan and scheme with him,” Bielema said. “A different guy that brings a whole other skill set that we haven’t had here before.”

@ben_some16 

[email protected]