Marketing campaign – Illinois was pressured to go exterior his state borders to construct his defensive position in Bret Bielema’s mandate as a coach.
The switch portal was delivered in a big means. On the highschool entrance, Ohio and Michigan have been supposed for locations for the co-defensive coordinator and the Terrance Jamison defensive position coordinator.
However Ilini’s state efforts continued to pay on Wednesday with a dedication from brother Rice Standout King Liggins. It’s the second peace within the state to have interaction in Illinois within the 2026 class, with Illini recruiting the quiet Palatin Tony Balanganayi for his or her protection.
A defensive method of 6 meters, 280 kilograms, Ligins selected Illinois over Wisconsin after a recruitment that additionally included Iowa, Purdue, Rutgers and Virginia.
Ligins is a 3 -star recruit within the 2026 class and is on the degree of the overall perspective no. 18 in Illinois, on Rivali. His full recruitment additionally included affords from Boston School, Cincinnati, Indiana, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Michigan State, Minnesota, Northwestern and Vanderbilt amongst energy conferences.
Liggins helped brother Rice at a 6-Four document and a second end within the CCL/Escc Blue Division final fall. The crusaders ended the common season on a five-game successful sequence, together with a 16-13 victory in opposition to any 7A State champions, Mt. Carmel, earlier than shedding in entrance of Fenwick within the opening spherical of the 7A class playoffs.
The dedication to Ligins affords Illinois 15 in complete at school 2026 and 5 of the state. Along with Liggins and Balanganayi, Illini additionally has commitments to Dekalb Davon Grant, Lincoln -way East, exterior Jacob Alexander and Richland County, Casey Tomann. It’s a class of 15 that’s in fourth place within the Massive Ten, on 247sports activities and 11th at nationwide degree.