When EA Sports dropped the ratings for "College Football 2027," the buzz was palpable. Fans eagerly dissected the rankings of their beloved teams and players, but they weren't alone in their curiosity. The players themselves were just as invested, especially over at Illinois, where the anticipation was almost as intense as game day itself.
Before the ratings were officially unveiled, Illinois players were asked to predict who among them would top the charts. Their consensus?
Matthew Bailey. And they were spot on.
Bailey, the Illini's starting strong safety, snagged an impressive 89 overall rating, tying him for the fifth-best at his position nationwide.
Bailey's rating isn't just a number; it's a testament to his impact on the field. Had it not been for an untimely injury before last year's Music City Bowl, Bailey might have already made his leap to the NFL.
Even with that setback, he led the team with 76 tackles, making a strong case as the Illini's standout defensive player, second only to the now NFL-bound Gabe Jacas. As the season progresses, don't be surprised if Bailey's rating climbs past 90, especially if he stays healthy and delivers those game-changing performances he's known for.
Then there's Katin Houser, the transfer quarterback who hasn't yet thrown a pass for Illinois but is already penciled in as the starter. His EA Sports rating of 83 has sparked some debate.
Houser's previous season at East Carolina was nothing short of stellar, with 3,300 passing yards, a 65.9% completion rate, and a total of 28 touchdowns. However, the Big Ten is a different beast compared to the American Athletic Conference.
EA Sports doesn't just pull these numbers out of thin air. Their ratings are crafted with a mix of data analytics and insights from coaches and scouts. Still, Houser's past stint at Michigan State, where he had a rocky 2023 season, suggests he has room to grow if he wants to maintain-or exceed-his current rating.
Meanwhile, tight end Kaden Feagin is another player to watch. His 74 rating might seem low, especially considering his versatility and past achievements, including 1,251 rushing yards and 15 career touchdowns.
As Feagin transitions to tight end, expect him to be a dynamic force in Illinois' offense. His ability to make plays with the ball could see his rating rise significantly as the season unfolds.
As for the team as a whole, Illinois received a 79 rating, tying them for 52nd overall. It's a number that feels like a slight, especially considering the talent on their roster.
With teams like UCLA, Colorado, and Baylor ranked higher, Illinois has every reason to feel underestimated. Under the guidance of Bret Bielema, and with a solid performance from Houser, the Illini could easily surpass expectations and secure a spot among the top 30 teams by season's end.
In Other News...
Brad Underwood Is Right In The Middle Of A Big Ten Debate
Brad Underwood has put Illinois in the middle of a Big Ten coaching conversation that goes well beyond one season or one roster. With Dusty May no longer in the picture at Michigan, the leagues top tier is being sorted again, and Underwoods case is built on the same things that have long defined his tenure in Champaign: aggressive roster building, sharp talent evaluation and an offense that has been among the most productive in the country.
The debate now is not whether Illinois belongs in the mix, but where Underwood fits among the conferences best and whether his profile stacks up with the coaches who have turned stability into sustained results. Illinois can score with anyone, and that has made the program dangerous, but the next step is still tied to the other end of the floor. If the Illini can clean that up, the argument for Underwood climbs quickly. [Read more 🡒]
Shauna Green Just Gave Illinois Fans A Big Reason To Look Ahead
Shauna Green has made a habit of looking ahead, and Illinois womens basketball got another glimpse of that future recently when the staff hosted an unofficial visit from one of the countrys top young prospects. The 6-foot-2 wing has already emerged as a coveted name in the 2029 class, drawing attention for the kind of size and versatility that can eventually change the feel of a roster, especially for a program that knows some of its current pieces will not be around forever.
What stands out is not just the early buzz around her, but how wide the recruiting battle already appears to be for a player so young. Illinois is in the mix with several major programs, which is a reminder that the next wave of roster building starts well before fans usually notice it. For Green and her staff, landing an early visit from a player with that kind of profile is the sort of development that can matter down the road, even if the endgame is still well out of view. [Read more 🡒]
Illinois Fans Will Have Strong Opinions On Katin Houser's New Rating
Illinois is preparing to hand the offense to senior Katin Houser, the East Carolina transfer who arrives with a rsum that suggests he can steady the position right away. His final season with the Pirates was productive, with a strong completion rate and more than 3,000 passing yards, and it also showed the kind of efficiency Illinois will be hoping to plug into a new-look attack.
The video-game world, though, has already offered its own early verdict. Houser checked in at 83 overall in the upcoming College Football 27 release, a number that puts him in a crowded tier of quarterbacks and gives Illini fans another talking point before he takes his first snaps in Champaign. Whether that rating feels too generous or not generous enough will depend on how quickly he settles in with his new teammates and proves the number right on the field. [Read more 🡒]