Illinois Fighting Illini 2026 Football Preview
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Some of the more headscratching losses over Nebraska’s lost decade have come at the hands of the Illini. Start with Mike Riley’s throw-the-ball-into-a-gale debacle in 2015, the “field a punt at the goal line” mistakes of 2021 or the Dylan Raiola in full retreat overtime offense in 2024. Almost as bad as against Minnesota; we can ridicule the legacy of “Bert” at Arkansas all we want, but Bret Bielema builds winning programs. But in 2026, the Illini are in a bit of a rebuilding mode.
No where is that more apparent than at quarterback, where East Carolina transfer Katin Houser (6’3” 225 lbs.) has to replace three-year starter Luke Altmyer. Houser completed 64% of his passes for 5,306 yards and 37 touchdowns and 17 interceptions the previous two seasons. This season, he’s completing 71% of his passes for 453 yards and six touchdowns with one interception. Houser is being backed up by redshirt freshmen Michael Clayton and Carson Boyd.
Junior running back Ca’lil Valentine (6’0” 190 lbs.) rushed for 614 yards and four touchdowns last season, averaging 4.7 yards per carry. Senior Aidan Laughery (5’11” 200 lbs.) rushed for 382 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 5.1 yards per carry. In short yardage situations, junior Jordan Anderson (6’4” 240 lbs.) is there to bulldoze his way.
Senior Kaden Feagin (6’3” 255 lbs.) moved from running back to tight end this season. Feagin caught 16 passes for 188 yards and two scores last season and as a running back, rushed for 507 yards and seven touchdowns. Junior wide receiver Colin Dixon (6’1” 210 lbs.) was Illinois’ leading returning receiver from last season with 35 catches for 548 yards and five touchdowns. He’s already more than halfway towards matching those same numbers in 2026 with 17 catches for 236 yards and five touchdowns. Senior Hudson Clement (6’1” 205 lbs.) caught 36 passes last season for 454 yards and three touchdowns; this season, he has seven catches for 71 yards.
Illinois has to replace four starters on the offensive line. Senior right guard Brandon Henderson (6’5” 335 lbs.) has 19 career starts; senior center Jake Renfro (6’4” 315 lbs.) has been a spot starter the previous three seasons. Colorado State transfer Christian Martin (6’7” 300 lbs.) is slotted to take over at left tackle.
The Illinois defense has to replace their entire front seven and much of the secondary, which raises serious questions in 2026. Nickel defender Matthew Bailey (6’2” 215 lbs.) lead Illinois with 76 tackles and four tackles for loss. Senior cornerback Juice Clarke (6’1” 185 lbs.) had 30 tackles last season with seven pass breakups. Bielema typically develops good defenses, but this year will be a challenge at the start.
By November, the Illini will certainly be more experienced than they are now. That, combined with a more manageable schedule should get Illinois to bowl eligibility. Let’s just hope Nebraska doesn’t help that cause yet again in 2026.
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