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The Illinois Fighting Illini football program has been one of the best in the country at developing quarterbacks in recent years considering the success of Luke Altmyer, now on the Detroit Lions' practice squad, current starting quarterback Katin Houser and others. 

On Wednesday, coach Bret Bielema and offensive coordinator Barry Lunney, Jr. added a new name to their prospective future quarterback room as they gained a pledge from a three-star quarterback who hails from Pennsylvania, one of the most talent-rich Midwestern states. 

Owen Herrick Announces College Intentions

Owen Herrick is a 6-foot-2, 185 pound quarterback from Pittsburgh Central Catholic High School in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, who is currently ranked as a three-star player by 247Sports.com. 

Herrick was announced as Bielema's first Class of 2028 commitment Wednesday, as part of a class that will follow a list of 16 players committed to Illinois for 2027. He spurned offers from noteworthy Division-I programs including Bielema's former team, the Arkansas Razorbacks, the Minnesota Golden Gophers, Nebraska Cornhuskers, Ole Miss Rebels, Syracuse Orange and Bowling Green Falcons.

Herrick is ranked as the 29th best quarterback recruit in his class by 247Sports.com and the No. 12 prospect in Pennsylvania. He passed for nearly 2,500 yards with 20 touchdowns and seven interceptions as a sophomore and still has two years to improve. Herrick also stands out for his calm demeanor in the pocket and has a strong frame for his age. 

Help on the Way at Receiver

The Fighting Illini passing game looks to be a strong focus for coach Bielema and Lunney Jr.'s program heading into the future as the duo of Katin Houser and Collin Dixon has starred so far in 2026 with many big games to come.

Illinois is expected to get star transfer Jayshon Platt back soon, who starred at Florida Atlantic the last four seasons. 

The Class of 2027 includes Bennett Konkey, a four-star receiver and Geneva, Illinois native who has turned heads so far during his senior season and could be an impact player from day one in Champaign, Ill. 

The Fighting Illini are becoming one of the best passing schools in the Big Ten, and the future looks bright. As Lunney, Jr.'s work with Altmyer and Houser has shown, Bielema's program looks like a destination program for future pass throwers and catchers, and Herrick looks like he has the tools to make a difference at some point in his college career.  

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