Where Illinois Football Stands Among Optimistic “Way Too Early” 2025 Predictions

Fresh off the excitement of the 2024 season, the Illinois Football team is already garnering some very favorable “way too early” predictions for a highly anticipated 2025 campaign. Based on some early indications, there’s a growing sense that the national media is steadily embracing the vision Bret Bielema has for the future of Illinois Football.

The Illini head coach has consistently emphasized that most of his starters (18) will return next season, with a significant core of the talented group made up of sophomores. Additional efforts in the transfer portal to address remaining voids and concerns have been successful, and unless there is unforeseen turnover, the roster shaping up to be an exciting one as spring ball approaches.

“Way Too Early” Predictions for Illinois Football

Disclaimer – Of course, these predictions are what they are. Trying to accurately project where Illinois, as well as other teams, will land when August rolls around is very difficult, and certainly, there is a lot that can happen between now and kickoff vs Western Illinois on 8/30, especially in today’s ever-fluid era of college football.

However, the Illini roster is shaping up well with veteran talent, and with a (seemingly) favorable schedule ahead, these rankings are a tip of the cap to the visible progress fostered within the walls of the Smith Center and Memorial Stadium.

Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

On3

Illinois Ranking: #7

READ: HERE

NEW: 2025 Way-Too-Early College Football Top 25 via @Andy_Staples & @AriWasserman👀

Do you agree? 🤔https://t.co/7RazdrYgQ7 pic.twitter.com/zgPp0pFpQn

— On3 (@On3sports) January 20, 2025

Andy Staples, On3 –  “Bielema was right. We messed up by leaving Illinois off when we made our Way, Way, Way Too Early 2025 Top 10, but in our defense, we didn’t yet know how many key players planned to put off the NFL for a year to return to Champaign. With QB Luke Altmyer, offensive lineman J.C. Davis, DB Xavier Scott, and linebacker Gabe Jacas back, the Illini have an incredible veteran core leading the way.” 

Action Network – Brett McMurphy

Illinois Ranking: #12

My Way-Too-Early Top 25 in ’25

1 Ohio St
2 Texas
3 Penn St
4 Georgia
5 LSU
6 Oregon
7 Notre Dame
8 Clemson
9 Tennessee
10 Miami
11 Arizona St
12 Illinois
13 S Carolina
14 BYU
15 Florida
16 SMU
17 Michigan
18 Kansas St
19 Missouri
20 Louisville
21 Ole Miss
22 Iowa St
23 Alabama…

— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) January 20, 2025

Sporting News

Illinois Ranking: #13

Read: HERE

The way too early top 25 via Sporting News. Thoughts? pic.twitter.com/naow1h8RIW

— College Football Alerts  (@CFBAlerts_) January 20, 2025

Bill Bender, Sporting News – “Here is one of the offseason hype teams of 2025. Bret Bielema returns a lot of production from a 10-win team, including quarterback Luke Altmyer, leading rusher Josh McCray and Aidan Loughery, and a veteran offensive line. There are a few holes at receiver, but the defense will be strong again with linebacker Gabe Jacas – who had eight sacks – coming back along with its top tackler in safety Matthew Bailey. USC (Sept. 27) and Ohio State (Oct. 11) both visit Memorial Stadium. Is this the breakthrough year for the Illini?” 

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