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Illinois football is scheduled to take on the UAB Blazers this coming Thursday at 9 p.m. ET, giving new quarterback transfer and starter Katin Houser a chance to show what he can do on a Big Ten team for the first time in years.

Houser, formerly of the Michigan State Spartans, has had his name etched in permanent marker on the Fighting Illini's depth chart as his team's undisputed QB1, but that doesn't mean his backups lack for talent. 

Recently, head coach Bret Bielema shared his thoughts on the Fighting Illini QB room, expressing confidence in the players behind his starter while also highlighting the player who he believes has the best chance to lead his team if Hauser needs a break. 

Boyd the Favorite at Backup QB

Bielema said that backup quarterback Carson Boyd is the player most likely to back up Hauser should an injury or other emergency situation unfold. 

Boyd enrolled in January 2025 and came to Illinois as a three-star quarterback out of Cardinal Ritter College Prep High School of St. Louis, Mo. 

At 6-feet and 190 pounds, the Exploratory Studies major has earned Bielema's trust and appears to have a hold on the number two spot on the Fighting Illini's depth chart. 

Boyd had over 4,400 total yards as a high schooler while leading his team to a 48-5 record. 

He also has dual threat potential as a high school track star who threw for 27 touchdowns and ran for nine as a senior. 

Boyd has the physical gifts to give opposing defensive coordinators a different look compared to Houser, with his rushing ability and ability to move the pocket on offense. 

According to Bielema, other QBs have stood out during summer practices and the rest of the offseason. 

Clayton, Eisenmenger Also Stand Out

Bielema also sung the praises of Michael Clayton and Dane Eisenmenger among the Fighting Illini backup signal callers. 

He sounded confident about both players' potential in comments shared by Champaign area journalist Carson Gourdie. 

"Michael's had a really good fall camp, he had a really good spring, kinda went through some trials and tribulations at the beginning and has really played well down the stretch," Bielema said of Clayton. 

Eisenmenger has also made his mark on the Fighting Illini program and quarterbacks room headed into Week 1 against UAB. 

"I'm not saying he's gonna play this year but Dane has been very impressive," Bielema said of Eisenmenger. 

"To me, for a guy we signed as late as we did and came into camp as late as he did he's a very impressive player," he added of the freshman QB, who hails from Tolono, Illinois and stands 6-feet-4 inches tall, weighing in at 215 pounds. 

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