CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (Chambana Today) — The Illinois football staff led by head coach Bret Bielema signed one of the highest-rated classes in program history on Wednesday. The class is currently ranked 22nd in the nation by ESPN, tying the previous highs of 22nd in 2008 and 2007.
The class was highlighted with 30 student-athletes signing National Letters of Intent, including nine that received at least one four-star rating by a national recruiting service, which is the most in program history. The Illini’s four-star signees include OLB Kayden Bennett (ESPN), DL Parker Crim (Rivals), DB Jacob Eberhart (Rivals), DB Nick Hankins Jr. (247/ESPN/Rivals), DB Jakwon Morris (ESPN), OL Kai Pritchard (247/ESPN), WR Nas Rankin (247/ESPN), OL Champ Smith (ESPN), and LB Cameron Thomas (ESPN).
This year’s class ie Bielema’s fifth-straight top-50 recruiting class. Prior to Bielema’s arrival in 2021, Illinois had signed only three top-50 classes in the previous 10 years combined. He has now signed four of the five highest-ranked Illini recruiting classes of the past 15 years, according to 247Sports. Bielema also continued his strong commitment to recruiting the state of Illinois by signing eight players from the state, including two of the top six and all eight within the top 40 according to 247Sports.
The Fighting Illini class features four junior college signees rated nationally among the top four at their positions, including two players ranked No. 1. Maika Matelau is the No. 1 interior offensive lineman (247) and Jakwon Morris is the nation’s top-rated defensive back (247/ESPN). TJ Taylor is the No. 2-ranked offensive tackle (247/ESPN), and Alfred Washington is the No. 4 offensive tackle (247).
Illinois’ signees had an average 247Sports rating of 87.81, the highest average rating in program history. The Illini’s last three classes are rated as the three most talented classes in program history, according to 247Sports’ ratings that date back to 2001.
Illinois also anticipates 25 signees to enroll at the University of Illinois in January: OLB Jacob Alexander, WR Kenyon Alston, QB Michael Clayton II, LB Kaedyn Cobbs, DL Parker Crim, DB Jacob Eberhart, WR Davon Grant, P Jack Gray, DB Nick Hankins Jr., DL King Liggins, OL Maika Matelau, DB Jakwon Morris, OL Kai Pritchard, WR Nas Rankin, OLB Kingston Reigns Shaw, OL Champ Smith, OL TJ Taylor, LB Cameron Thomas, DB Almirian Thomas, TE Will Vala, OL Landen Von Seggern, OL Alfred Washington, RB Nelsyn Wheeler, DB Isaiah Williams, LB Tony Williams.