Bret Bielema has made the Illinois football program matter when it comes to on and off the field.
The Illini have won eight games in a season in three out of the last four campaigns, and now we are doing well in the recruiting game. After numerous top 50 recruiting classes, Bielema was able to land a top 25 group for 2026.
This top 25 ranking doesn’t even include what Illinois could do in the transfer portal. The transfer portal officially opens January 2 and stays open for two weeks, closing on January 16.