Illinois lands Chicago recruits Rankin, Liggins for football

Illinois football secured commitments from two highly-rated Chicago-area prospects, Nasir Rankin and King Liggins, boosting the team's recruiting class. Wide receiver Nasir Rankin, a four-star recruit, and defensive lineman King Liggins, a three-star prospect, chose Illinois within an hour of each other, significantly improving the team's 2026 recruiting class ranking to eighth nationally. Rankin also received a basketball offer from Illinois. Rankin, who hopes to play both football and basketball, cited the strong relationship with the coaching staff and the program's upward trajectory as key factors in his decision.