Illinois football lands coveted quarterback recruit, first call-up in 2026

Illinois football’s successes on the field finally appear to be making an impact on the recruiting industry.

On Sunday, Michael Clayton II, a top quarterback recruit from Sanford, Fla., committed to play for Illinois and coach Bret Bielema.

It was something of a recruiting coup for Illini offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. Clayton, a 6-foot-1, 195-pound pro quarterback from the class of 2026, reportedly had 30 or more scholarship offers. But after an unofficial visit to Champaign for the home game against Minnesota last week, Clayton chose Illinois over contenders like Miami, Auburn and South Carolina, as well as Big Ten rivals Nebraska, Michigan State and Purdue.

Rivals rates Clayton, a bit of a late riser, as a four-star recruit and the 11th-best quarterback in the Class of 2026.

Illinois on SI recruiting: Clayton doesn’t fit the mold of recent Lunney quarterbacks like current Illini starter Luke Altmyer or Tommy DeVito, pass-first QBs that defenses have had to take seriously as dangerous scrambling threats. Clayton is a big-armed, all-around player who is skilled enough to keep plays alive and occasionally run for an intercepted first down.

In college football, filling the quarterback position is a process of talent acquisition – both qualitative and quantitative – as well as development and evaluation. Until recently, the Illini have struggled to overcome Step 1. Bringing a player of Clayton’s caliber to Champaign gives Lunney a great starting point while also sending a signal to other top recruits that Illinois can be a hot landing spot.

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