Illinois isn’t wasting any time when it comes to building out its future quarterback room. With Class of 2027 signal-caller Kamden Lopati already locked in - and still drawing serious attention from other Power Four programs - the Illini are staying aggressive on the recruiting trail.
Lopati, a four-star out of Utah, recently made his way back to Champaign - not just to reconnect with the program, but to help recruit other top targets. That kind of buy-in from a future QB1 speaks volumes about the culture Illinois is trying to build under Bret Bielema.
But the Illini aren’t stopping there. They’re already turning the page to the Class of 2028, and this week, co-quarterbacks coach Art Sitkowski extended an offer to Winter Park (Fla.)
Lake Howell quarterback Brycen Marbrey. That makes Marbrey the seventh quarterback in the 2028 cycle to receive an Illinois offer - a clear sign that the staff is casting a wide net early and looking to identify foundational pieces well ahead of schedule.
For Marbrey, the offer hit home.
“My reaction was super excited, and it shocked me to be honest, but it was a true blessing,” Marbrey said. “The offer meant a lot, and it was just an awesome feeling to be offered by a program like Illinois.”
That kind of genuine excitement is what you hope to hear from a young quarterback stepping into the spotlight for the first time. And while there’s still a long road between now and National Signing Day 2028, Illinois is making sure it’s in the mix early with promising talent like Marbrey.
The message from the Illini staff is clear: the quarterback position is going to be a cornerstone of their future, and they’re not waiting around to find the right guys. Whether it’s securing a commitment from a top-tier 2027 like Lopati or getting ahead of the curve with 2028 prospects like Marbrey, Illinois is playing the long game - and playing it with purpose.