Memorial Stadium

CHAMPAIGN, IL - September 04, 2023 - Illinois fans during the game between the Toledo Rockets and the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, IL. Photo by Craig Pessman Craig Pessman

 Craig Pessman

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WAND) — Illinois Fighting Illini football signed one of the top-rated classes in program history Wednesday.

Illinois signed 30 student-athletes to national letters of intent, including 9 four-star recruits, the most in program history.

The Illini's class is ranked #22 in the nation by ESPN, tying the previous high of #22 in 2007 and 2008. 

It is head coach Bret Bielema's fifth-straight top-50 recruiting class. He has now signed four of the five highest ranked Illini recruiting classes of the past 15 years, according to 247Sports.

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