We are less than two months from the 2026 season, as the Illinois football team retooled this offseason in preparation.
The class of 2026 that is going to be making an impact on the Illini was one of the best in the country. We ranked in the top 30 nationally for the first time in decades, and that talent will help us win on the field this season and beyond.
Illinois also used the transfer portal well in the offseason. There were some big departures from the team, but Bret Bielema plugged the holes with talent from across the country.
Illinois was less than impressive when it came to stopping the pass last season. We gave up 225.4 yards per game through the air, which ranked No. 69 in the nation.
On top of the below-average pass defense, the Illini lost one of our best defensive backs when Miles Scott departed for the NFL.
The transfer portal was good to Illinois. We were able to land James Finley out of Northern Illinois to help the safety position and prevent opponents from going over the top.
Finley was a four-star defensive back coming out of the class of 2025. He picked the Huskies as his landing spot, and after one season where he had 21.0 tackles, 2.0 interceptions, and 2.0 pass deflections, Finley entered the transfer portal and ended up at Illinois.
Illinois may have gotten the steal of the transfer portal season with the addition of Finley. The secondary could be pretty dangerous, as he should be fighting for a starting job with Matthew Bailey and Mac Resetich at safety.
The obvious transfer portal snag for the Illini who needs to ball out is Katin Houser. He came in from East Carolina, and Illinois' ability to win rests on his shoulders.
Houser was once a mediocre Big Ten quarterback with Michigan State, but he transferred out and had two solid years with the Pirates. Last season, Houser threw for 3,300 yards, 19 touchdowns, and six interceptions.
One game of note for Houser last season was against North Carolina State, where he threw for 366 yards and a touchdown. He has the ability to play well against power-four competition.
The transition from Luke Altmyer is going to be tough. Bielema did a great job going out and getting a player like Houser to fill that void for a season while the younger quarterbacks develop. I think Houser, with the wide receiver talent around him, could have a big year.
Illinois had a great kicking game last season. David Olano made all 44 extra points, and he was 20-of-23 on his field goals. This included going 7-of-8 from 40-49 yards.
Texas A&M backed up the Brinks truck for Olano, and Bielema had to find an answer. In steps Ethan Moczulski.
Moczulski started at Texas A&M, transferred to Illinois in 2024, and then transferred to Washington for the 2025 season. He is now back in Champaign, looking to make a name for himself during his senior year.
With the Illini kicking game so good last season, we can't take a step backward. This means Moczulski has to be good for us to make winning easier.
For his career, Moczulski is just 1-of-2 on his field goals. He made that lone field goal with Illinois when he kicked a 59-yarder. He was a kickoff specialist with Washington last season.
The middle of the Illinois defense was gutted after the 2025 season. We lost both Dylan Rosiek and Kenenna Odeluga to the next level, and that leaves so many snaps to be had.
Illinois doesn't have a ton of depth at linebacker entering next season. I think we are going to lean heavily on Grant Beerman, who could have a breakout year. James Kreutz and Daniel Brown, among others, should be big contributors as well.
Another player I am excited about for the 2026 season is Robert Edmonson. He is a transfer portal addition from Colorado State.
Edmonson started at Prairie View A&M and then transferred to Colorado State last season. He had 47.0 tackles, 1.0 sacks, and 1.0 interceptions during the 2025 campaign.
I don't know if I expect him to start from day one, but Edmonson will see plenty of snaps in 2026. He will be a crucial part in the middle of the Illinois defense, and his presence gives us so much depth. He was a great get in the transfer portal.
The last player I want to note is on the offensive line. Illinois is going through an offensive line change this season, and we need some major leadership.
I think the addition of Jake Renfro could help tremendously. He was Wisconsin's starting center for the last couple of seasons but dealt with some injury issues. Renfro has plenty of experience on the offensive line, and he will need to help guide the newcomers this season.
Renfro should be starting at center. He takes over for longtime center Josh Kreutz, who is now in the NFL. If he can stay healthy, I expect Renfro to be the starter at center in every game and maybe even notch a spot on an All-Big Ten team.
This article was originally published on www.writingillini.com as 5 Illinois football transfer portal additions who need to have massive 2026 seasons .
