Illinois Fighting Illini
84
84
OFF
83
DEF
Solid
Matchup
Big Ten9-4 (2025)#24 Recruiting21% Returning
Depth Chart· Updated Aug 17, 2026· Two-deep · Public sources
QB
  1. 4
    91
    Katin HouserRS SR/TR
    StarterTRANSFER
  2. 2
    74
    Carson BoydRS FR
  3. 7
    61
    Michael Clayton IIFR
RB
  1. 5
    90
    Ca'Lil ValentineJR
    Starter
  2. 21
    80
    Aidan LaugheryRS SR
  3. 23
    64
    Jordan AndersonRS SR
WR-X
  1. 17
    90
    Collin DixonRS JR
    Starter
  2. 10
    72
    Ty RobinsonRS SR/TR
    TRANSFER
  3. 6
    68
    Jershaun NewtonRS FR
WR-Z
  1. 1
    91
    Jayshon PlattRS SR/TR
    StarterTRANSFER
  2. 9
    85
    Alex PerryRS SR/TR
    TRANSFER
  3. 0
    61
    Nas RankinFR
SLOT
  1. 13
    87
    Hudson ClementRS SR/TR
    Starter
  2. 11
    74
    Brayden TrimbleRS FR
  3. 80
    70
    Eddie KasperRS SR/TR
    TRANSFER
TE
  1. 86
    70
    Christian AbneySR/TR
    Starter
  2. 83
    70
    Kaden FeaginSR
  3. 88
    59
    Davin StoffelRS JR/TR
LT
  1. 72
    85
    Christian MartinRS JR/TR
    StarterTRANSFER
  2. 52
    67
    Champ SmithFR
  3. 51
    61
    Alfred WashingtonRS JR/TR
LG
  1. 70
    73
    Maika MatelauSO/TR
    Starter
  2. 66
    73
    Brandon HansenJR
  3. 76
    68
    Dylan FrechetteRS FR
C
  1. 59
    85
    Jake RenfroRS SR/TR
    StarterTRANSFER
  2. 55
    74
    TJ McMillenRS JR
  3. 68
    68
    Michael McDonoughRS FR
RG
  1. 75
    80
    Brandon HendersonSR
    Starter
  2. 78
    74
    Eddie TuerkRS SO
  3. 54
    68
    Griffin RousseauRS FR
RT
  1. 71
    73
    Nathan KnapikRS SO/TR
    Starter
  2. 79
    67
    TJ TaylorJR/TR
  3. 74
    67
    Zafir StewartRS SO
2026 Schedule

0 games

Tap any game for the matchup breakdown — history, projection, and a simulated result.

Team Analysis
WHY #30 IN WS POWER

2025 SP+: 12.9 → 11.7 after regression

65%

Roster talent: 52nd percentile

18%

Recruiting class: #24 national

16%

Returning production: 21%

4%

Preseason blend — SP+ weight rises when 2026 numbers publish (Aug). How we rank · not a betting line.

Portal

18 adds in two-deep · avg 83 OVR · top add: J. Platt (WR, 91, from Florida Atlantic)

Camp battles to watch4
Coach IllinoisTake them from week one to the natty. You call every play.

Updated Aug 17, 2026 · Data from public sources

Who starts for Illinois?

Illinois Fighting Illini starting lineup

Katin Houser is the projected starting quarterback for Illinois as of August 17, 2026. Carson Boyd is listed second.

Illinois also projects Ca'Lil Valentine at running back, Collin Dixon at wide receiver and Christian Abney at tight end.

The full Illinois Fighting Illini two-deep was last updated August 17, 2026. Preseason depth charts are projections and change through fall camp.

Katin Houser · QBCa'Lil Valentine · RBCollin Dixon · WR-XChristian Abney · TE

Common questions

Who is Illinois's starting quarterback?
Katin Houser is the projected starting quarterback for Illinois as of August 17, 2026. Carson Boyd is listed second.
Who starts at running back for Illinois?
Ca'Lil Valentine is the projected starter at running back for Illinois, with Aidan Laughery listed second.
Who starts at wide receiver for Illinois?
Collin Dixon is the projected starter at wide receiver for Illinois, with Ty Robinson listed second.
Who starts at tight end for Illinois?
Christian Abney is the projected starter at tight end for Illinois, with Kaden Feagin listed second.
When was the Illinois Fighting Illini depth chart last updated?
The Illinois Fighting Illini depth chart on Who's Starting was last updated August 17, 2026. It refreshes daily through the season.
What was Illinois's record last season?
Illinois Fighting Illini finished 9-4 (5-4 in Big Ten play).