Illinois Football flips in-state WR Nathan Cichy

Big time news for Illinois Football as they have announced a late addition to its class of 2026. Nathan Cichy, a wide receiver from Mount Prospect, Illinois, has officially flipped his commitment from Harvard to Illinois. Cichy is the 11th in-state prospect in the Illini’s class of 2026.

Last year for Prospect High School, Cichy had 65 receptions for 1,033 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns. Cichy is a multi-sport athlete who also runs track. Per the Illini Inquirer, the newest Illini WR ran a 10.83-second 100-meter dash on April 14 and a personal-best 21.96-second 200-meter dash this spring.

Nathan Cichy will certainly add a taller, versatile athlete to Justin Stepp’s wide receiver room.

What does it mean?

First off, Illinois is adding six wide receivers to its class of 2026. Nasir Rankin, DaVon Grant, Kenyon Alston, Cichy, Mt. Zion receiver Jacob Harvey, and Florida receiver Leslie Mosley Jr. For the 2026 season, the Illini have a lot of senior wide receivers, including Hudson Clement and transfers Alex Perry and Jayshon Platt. All six wide receivers have different skillsets that make them very intriguing options for the future. Additionally, the Illini are extremely high on rising redshirt freshman Brayden Trimble.

Bret Bielema and the Illinois Football staff continue to prioritize in-state talent. Bielema has now signed 42 prep prospects from the state of Illinois during five recruiting cycles. Before that, Lovie Smith signed 26 in-state prep prospects in six recruiting cycles.

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