High-profile freshman Jacob Eberhart moving to wide receiver
- Story byThe News-Gazette, Champaign-Urbana, Ill.
- High-profile freshman Jacob Eberhart moving to wide receiver
Aug. 8—CHAMPAIGN — Jacob Eberhart was recruited by Illinois as a potential heir apparent to Matthew Bailey.
The 2026 season is Bailey's last in Champaign. The veteran defensive back's role in the Illini defense — now the hybrid safety/linebacker "Chief" position under new coordinator Bobby Hauck — is a vital one.
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Eberhart taking over for Bailey in 2027 was seen as a real possibility. It still might be even with the 6-foot-4, 220-pound freshman moving to wide receiver this season.
"Nothing permanent," Illinois coach Bret Bielema said. "I told our offense he's on a six-month lease with a 12-month option. We'll see how that one goes."
The impetus to moving Ebehart to wide receiver was rooted in the fact he wasn't fully healthy this summer. While he returned as a partial participant in practice Saturday at Gies Memorial Stadium, getting reps at his new position, Bielema said he wouldn't likely receive full clearance until the first week of September.
"Sometimes, it's a little easier, offensively, to learn things quicker," Bielema added. "We're going to see what that looks like."
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Eberhart might have been recruited as a defensive player — and was one of Illinois' highest profile recruits in the Class of 2026 after beating out Alabama, Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma — but he has experience on offense. In three seasons on varsity for Kirkwood (Mo.), Eberhart totaled 102 catches for 1,899 yards and 25 touchdowns. He caught 51 passes for 912 yards and nine touchdowns as a senior for the Pioneers.
"It's something I had been kind of thinking about," Bielema said about moving Eberhart this week. "I know my offensive coaches have definitely been in my ear about it. I went in and had a conversation with my defensive coaches, and they definitely didn't want to go down that road. But on the flip side, Matt's a very accomplished player and we probably have 2-3 guys that can back him up and play very good football."
Bielema said he told Eberhart about the change on Friday.
"One of my missions as a head coach was always to, if a player could help us win games, why is he standing on the sidelines?" Bielema said. "That's what I told Jacob (on Friday night). He was smiling ear to ear. I think he'd love to have the ball in his hands. He loves playing defense — I think he'll return — but if he goes over there and has great success it's definitely a conversation we'll have."
