Illinois names six captains ahead of 2026 season
- Story byThe News-Gazette, Champaign-Urbana, Ill.
- Illinois names six captains ahead of 2026 season
Aug. 19—CHAMPAIGN — A former local standout, two defensive stalwarts, two transfer newcomers and a top returning wide receiver make up Illinois ' six captains for the 2026 season.
A survey of the entire team ended with running back Aidan Laughery , defensive backs Xavier Scott and Matthew Bailey , quarterback Katin Houser , offensive lineman Jake Renfro and wide receiver Collin Dixon as the top vote getters. All six are first-time captains.
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Laughery is in his fifth season at Illinois and is the team's active rushing leader with 191 carries for 1,061 yards in his career. The former Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley standout, who has dealt with injuries throughout his time in Champaign, also ranks first among the Illini running backs with eight career touchdowns.
Bailey earned All-Big Ten honorable mention status the past two seasons and enters his final year with Illinois as a preseason All-Big Ten Third Team selection by Phil Steele. The fifth-year safety, who will play the "CHIEF" position in the Illini's new defense, led the team in tackles in 2024 and 2025 and has 185 tackles, four interceptions and four forced fumbles for his career.
Scott missed the majority of the 2025 season with a lower leg injury after earning All-Big Ten First Team honors and finishing as a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award in 2024. Scott has started 26 of 39 games in his career and ranks first among active Illinois defensive players with six career interceptions and 20 career pass breakups.
Houser joined Illinois in January after spending the previous two seasons at East Carolina and the two before that at Michigan State. The fifth-year quarterback passed for 3,300 yards and 19 touchdowns against just six interceptions last season for the Pirates. His career totals stand at 6,438 passing yards, 43 passing touchdowns and 15 rushing touchdowns.
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Renfro's first season at Illinois doubles as his seventh overall. The veteran offensive lineman, who played for Luke Fickell at Cincinnati and Wisconsin , enters the 2026 season having started 36 of his 38 career games. Injuries plagued Renfro's time with both the Bearcats and Badgers, but Illinois' projected starting center was named to the Rimington Trophy watch list earlier this month.
Dixon is coming off his best season in Champaign, setting career highs with 35 catches for 548 yards and five touchdowns. The 6-foot-1, 215-pound senior led Illinois with 15.7 yards per reception last season and enters year four in Champaign as a preseason All-Big Ten Fourth Team pick by Athlon.
