Fresh off an individual NCAA championship title, Illinois is returning to the circuit. The Illini are bringing a mix of new and returning talent, and even greater expectations for the 2025-26 season. The program’s first competition, scheduled for Saturday at 6 p.m. in the Armory, will be against Rider. The last time these programs competed was Nov. 9, 2014, when Illinois claimed a strong 29-6 victory.
Illinois begins this season ranked No.15 in the NCAA, coming off a 9-4 season and 4-4 in Big Ten play.
The program starts its Big Ten schedule on Jan. 10 at home against Minnesota. The regular season will conclude Feb. 15 with a meet against Northwestern. After that, the Big Ten championships will take place on March 7-8 and the NCAA championships on March 19-21.
After concluding his fourth year leading the Illini, head coach Mike Poeta will remain at the helm of the program through the end of the 2028-29 season.
“Last year’s individual and team accomplishments represented a meaningful step forward for the program,” said Illinois director of athletics Josh Whitman. “We look forward to an even brighter future under his continued leadership.”
Get The Daily Illini in your inbox!
He is joined by returning assistant coaches Jermy Hunter and Austin O’Connor. In addition, Eric Schultz, a five-time NCAA championships qualifier, joined the coaching group as an assistant.
Graduate student 133-pounder Lucas Byrd will continue his wrestling journey for one last season. He is currently utilizing his additional eligibility as a result of a medical redshirt during the 2023-24 season. This will be his seventh year as an athlete for Illinois.
He won the 2025 NCAA championship and the 2025 Big Ten championship at 133 pounds.
Another notable returner for his final season is graduate student Luke Luffman, a four-time NCAA qualifier at heavyweight (285 pounds).
Notable additions to the roster include two graduate students, Spencer Moore and Cade Lautt, who both transferred from UNC. Redshirt junior Ryan Boersma transferred from Triton College and was previously at Mizzou.
Redshirt freshman Jayden Colon signed to Illinois following successes as both a three-time IHSA state champion at 145 pounds and a three-time Fargo All-American.
“Jayden’s a truly special kid,” Poeta said on Colon in a press release. “You’re in rare air when being a two-time Illinois State Champion with a chance at another. That was a strong part of our interest, but if anyone saw the way he lives his life, especially around his sister, you’d understand why we’re thrilled to have him here.”
He is joined by fellow redshirt freshman Joey Ruzic. Ruzic is a two-time IHSA state champion. He was also a three-time Fargo National Champion and a five-time Fargo All-American.
“I chose Illinois because they have the best coaches in the country, and the University is full of great people overall,” Ruxic said in a press release.
Last year represented a meaningful step forward for the program, with anticipation mounted for both a continuation of athletic excellence and the development of new talent this season.
