Illinois added a late but intriguing piece to its 2026 recruiting class on Wednesday, landing West Palm Beach (Fla.) wide receiver Leslie Mosley Jr. The Cardinal Newman standout made it official after an official visit to Champaign over the weekend - and his commitment continues a growing Florida-to-Illinois pipeline that’s quietly paying dividends for Bret Bielema’s program.
Mosley brings a productive high school résumé to the table. As a senior, he caught 52 passes for 1,001 yards and eight touchdowns, helping lead the Crusaders to their first-ever state championship.
He wasn’t just a threat through the air, either - Mosley made his presence felt on special teams, returning 12 kickoffs for 278 yards (23.2 average) and six punts for 158 yards (26.3 average). His 205-yard receiving performance in a single game this season set a new program record.
There’s a strong connection between Illinois and Cardinal Newman, and Mosley is the latest example. He played under longtime Newman head coach Jack Daniels, a close friend of Bielema. That relationship has helped establish a recruiting pipeline, and Mosley becomes the fourth Cardinal Newman product on the Illini roster, joining defensive backs Xavier Scott and Xanai Scott, along with offensive lineman Dylan Frechette.
Mosley is the fifth wide receiver in Illinois’ 2026 class, joining Nasir Rankin, Davon Grant, Kenyon Alston, and Jacob Harvey - who also signed on Wednesday, along with Byron (Ill.) safety Caden Considine. While February signees don’t always grab headlines, Bielema’s staff has a track record of finding value late in the cycle.
Just look at Matthew Bailey, a February addition in 2022 who’s now a two-time All-Big Ten honorable mention and a legitimate NFL Draft prospect heading into next season. Mac Resetich (2023) and Tanner Heckel (2024) have carved out roles in the secondary, while Jack Paris (2025) made noise on the scout team this past season.
So what does Mosley bring to the table? He’s a true slot receiver prospect with solid speed and suddenness in his routes.
His 100-meter dash time of 11.21 seconds won’t blow anyone away in the Big Ten, but he’s got enough burst to separate at all three levels and shows a knack for attacking the ball with strong hands. He’s also got a good vertical leap, which helps him win contested catches downfield, and he’s slippery after the catch thanks to his quick change of direction.
Physically, Mosley still has work to do. He’ll need to add strength to hold up against Big Ten defenders, and blocking likely won’t be a strong suit early on - though he’s not afraid to get physical and showed some toughness when playing nickel back on defense. With time in the weight room and continued development, he’s got the tools to work his way into the rotation.
His most immediate path to playing time? Special teams. Given his return experience and open-field elusiveness, Mosley could make an early impact as a returner - much like former Illini wideout Carlos Sandy, who found his footing on special teams before earning snaps at receiver.
In short, Illinois continues to mine for talent in overlooked corners of the recruiting calendar, and Mosley fits the mold of a high-upside addition with the potential to grow into a contributor down the line.