Illinois football lands 3-star running back, who flipped from Alabama
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CHAMPAIGN — Illinois football gained a surprise commitment from a Class of 2026 running back who originally had flipped from the Illini to Alabama.
Javari Barnett, a three-star running back out of Tampa, Florida, signed with Illinois on Wednesday, Dec. 3, ending his Alabama commitment, according to the Tuscaloosa News. Barnett, who originally gave a verbal commitment to Illinois, had flipped to the Crimson Tide on June 23, 2025.
Barnett is one of 29 players to sign so far for the Illini during signing day on Wednesday. All players who previously committed to Illinois have signed as of late morning, according to the team’s social media.
Barnett is the No. 474 player and the No. 32 running back in the 2026 recruiting class, according to 247Sports’ composite rankings. He is one of two running backs in the Illini’s Class of 2026, along with Nelsyn Wheeler of Nebraska.
Illinois football 2026 recruiting class
- Javari Barnett: Running back from Florida | Signed
- Maika Matelau: Junior college offensive lineman from California | Signed
- TJ Taylor: Junior college offensive lineman from California | Signed
- Jakwon Morris: Junior college defensive back from Mississippi | Signed
- Alfred Washington: Junior college offensive lineman from Mississippi | Signed
- Jack Gray: Kicker from Australia | Signed
- Jacob Eberhart: Safety from Kirkwood, Missouri | Signed
- Nick Hankins: Cornerback from Belleville West | Signed
- Isaiah Williams: Safety from Texas | Signed
- Kai Pritchard: Offensive lineman from New Jersey | Signed
- Kayden Bennett: Edge rusher from Connecticut | Signed
- Jaylen Stewart: Edge rusher from Texas | Signed
- Nelsyn Wheeler: Running back from Omaha, Nebraska | Signed
- Will Vala: Tight end from Downers Grove North | Signed
- Nasir Rankin: Receiver from Chicago Morgan Park | Signed
- King Liggins: Defensive lineman from Chicago Brother Rice | Signed
- Parker Crim: Defensive lineman from Lima (Ohio) Elida | Signed
- Tony Balanganayi: Lineman from Palatine | Signed
- Almirian Thomas: Defensive back from Cape Coral, Florida | Signed
- Tony Williams: Linebacker from Jacksonville, Florida | Signed
- Casey Thomann: Offensive lineman from Olney East Richland | Signed
- Kaedyn Cobbs: Linebacker from Denton (Texas) Guyer | Signed
- Cam Thomas: Linebacker from West Chester (Ohio) Lakota West | Signed
- Jacob Alexander: Edge rusher from Frankfort Lincoln-Way East | Signed
- Kenyon Alston: Receiver from Orlando (Florida) Bishop Moore Catholic | Signed
- Landen Von Seggern: Interior offensive lineman from Omaha (Neb.) Millard South | Signed
- Davon Grant: Receiver from DeKalb | Signed
- Kingston Shaw: Edge rusher from Orlando (Fla.) First Academy | Signed
- Michael Clayton: Quarterback from Sanford (Fla.) Seminole | Signed
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Javari Barnett flips from Alabama, signs with Illinois football
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