The Illinois football program is off to a strong start with its 2026 recruiting class, securing five commitments and earning a No. 31 national ranking. While most of their early additions have been on offense—four of the five commits play on that side of the ball—the Illini may soon bolster their defense with a major addition.
247Sports National Recruiting Analyst Allen Trieu recently submitted a Crystal Ball Prediction for four-star linebacker Cam Thomas to choose Illinois. Trieu rates his confidence level at six out of 10, signaling a real possibility that the Ohio native could be heading to Champaign.
Thomas, a 6-foot-2, 217-pound linebacker from Lakota West High School, is ranked No. 247 overall in the 2026 class, No. 20 among linebackers, and No. 11 in Ohio. He previously narrowed his list to six schools, keeping Illinois in the mix, and the Illini’s efforts to recruit him appear to be paying off.
The linebacker position is an area of need for Illinois, especially with Dylan Rosiek and Kenenna Odeluga set to depart after the 2025 season. Depth at middle linebacker remains uncertain, making Thomas a key target for the program. If he commits, he would be one of the highest-rated linebackers in Illinois history and could see immediate playing time as a freshman.
Landing Thomas would be a game-changing move for the Illini, and securing his commitment should be a top priority.
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