Illinois has mapped out its projected 2026 depth chart, and the only regulars currently expected to sit out the Week 1 game against UAB are wide receiver Jayshon Platt and linebacker Daniel Brown.
Coach Bret Bielema said during his Tuesday press conference on Sept. 3, 2026, that both players should be back at some point this season. For now, they’re the lone regulars listed as unavailable for the opener.
At quarterback, Illinois’ projection starts with Katin Houser, followed by Carson Boyd and Michael Clayton II.
The backfield opens with Ca'Lil Valentine at RB1, with Aidan Laughery behind him and Jordan Anderson third on the chart.
Wide receiver is led by Hudson Clement at WR1, then Collin Dixon and Brayden Trimble. Ty Robinson, Nas Rankin and Jayshon Platt round out the group on the current projection, with Platt marked as unavailable.
Kaden Feagin is listed first at tight end, with Christian Abney and Davin Stoffel next.
Up front, the offensive line projection has Christian Martin at left tackle, Maika Matelau at left guard, Jake Renfro at center, Brandon Henderson at right guard and Nathan Knapik at right tackle. T.J. McMillen and Dezmond Schuster are the listed subs.
On the defensive line, Joe Barna is projected at defensive end, Darrell Prater at nose tackle and Pat Farrell at the other defensive end spot. Carter Janki and Demetrius John are the backups.
The linebacker group is led by Mason Muragin at JACK, James Kreutz at MLB and Grant Beerman at WLB. Ismael Kante and Robert Edmonson are listed behind them, with Daniel Brown also on the depth chart and currently unavailable.
In the secondary, Illinois projects Jaekwon Morris at LCB, Matthew Bailey at SS, Mac Resetich at FS, Xavier Scott at nickel and Juice Clarke at RCB. Tanner Heckel, James Finley IV and Lavon Williams are the next names listed.
On special teams, Ethan Moczulski is the kicker, Lars Rau the punter, Eddie Kasper the return man and Patrick Mahoney III the long snapper. There is no returner listed at KR.
In Other News...
Illinois Fans Are Already Split Over This New Stadium Upgrade
Illinois opened the season with a noticeable new addition at Gies Memorial Stadium, unveiling a south end-zone videoboard that instantly became one of the biggest talking points around the program. The board is now the largest in college football, stretching about 69 feet high and 250 feet wide, and it anchors a broader technology overhaul that also brought in additional LED displays, better lighting, upgraded audio, stronger Wi-Fi and improved production equipment.
The project cost $20.94 million, and the reaction around the stadium reflected the split you might expect when a splashy amenity arrives before the on-field results do. Plenty of fans loved the scale of it and the way it delivers information, but others were quick to wonder whether that kind of money should have gone toward the football team instead. [Read more 🡒]
Illinois Found Hope At Quarterback But One Concern Still Lingers
Illinois had enough on offense to put away UAB in a 42-23 win, and the most encouraging sign came from Katin Houser settling in at quarterback. He looked comfortable steering the attack and avoided the kind of shaky throws that can stall a new starter before he ever gets rolling. Collin Dixon also gave the passing game a clear focal point, turning into Housers most reliable target as the Illini found a rhythm through the air.
The bigger picture, though, is that the defense still left a door open even in a comfortable victory. Illinois 3-3-5 front showed it can generate pressure, but UAB found room in the middle of the field and kept the game from feeling fully controlled. For a team trying to build momentum around a promising quarterback performance, that kind of vulnerability is the detail that lingers after the final score fades. [Read more 🡒]
Illinois Fans Got An Early Sign Bielemas New Offense Is Real
Bret Bielema walked away from Illinois season opener against UAB sounding far more upbeat about his offense than he did a year ago, and for good reason. The Illini looked sharper, more coordinated and more confident in the kinds of plays that had been missing at times, with quarterback Katin Houser and the new-look offensive line helping set the tone early.
Bielema also singled out the steady hand of center Jake Renfro and credited tackles Nathan Knapik and Christian Martin for settling into their first starts. The broader question now is whether that opening-night burst was a one-game spark or the first real evidence that Illinois has finally found an offense it can trust week after week. [Read more 🡒]