Early signing day is here.

Illinois football currently has 19 commitments in its 2025 class but is looking to add more as it tries to solidify another class under fourth-year coach Bret Bielema. Illinois’ 2025 class sits at No. 46 in the nation and No. 15 in the Big Ten Conference per the 247Sports Composite.

All four of Bielema’s recruiting classes have hovered around the top 40 or 50, according to the 247Sports rankings. The decade before Bielema came, just three classes ranked that high, according to Jeremy Werner of Illini Inquirer, part of the 247Sports umbrella of recruiting experts.

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Here are a few players the Illini are still targeting at early signing day, plus a list of players expected to sign:

Illinois football recruiting targets

There are still a few players left uncommitted, according to Werner. Names to know include four-start defensive back Alex Graham of Michigan. The Colorado commit visited Champaign in the fall and experts also point to Michigan or USC.

Other targets appear to be from junior college, according to Werner, including defensive lineman Tyeland Coleman (Mississippi State, Florida State also interested) and offensive lineman Jakheem Shumpert (Mississippi State interested)

Illinois might also add a high school prospect, as well, as the program has done over the last few years. For instance, last year they added Spring Valley Hall defensive back Mac Resetich, who played some key minutes this season.

Illinois’ 2025 class currently ranks No. 49 in the nation per the 247Sports Composite. The Illini are No. 15 in the Big Ten Conference.

Illinois football recruiting class 2025

Illinois has 19 commitments in its 2025 class:

• Brayden Trimble, 6-2, 170, WR, Mt. Zion, Illinois
• Cameron Brooks, 6-3, 270, EDGE, Homewood-Flossmoor, Illinois
• Grant Beerman, 6-4, 220, LB, West Chester, Ohio
• Isaiah White, 6-3, 270, DL, Indianapolis, Indiana
• Andre Lovett, 6-2, 180, S, Blue Island, Illinois
• Tywan Cox, 5-11, 165, CB, Miami, Florida
• Jershaun Newton, 6-0, 205, QB, Clearwater, Florida
• Carson Boyd, 5-10.5, 178, QB, St. Louis, Missouri
• JJ Hirdes, 6-5, 275, OT, Coopersville, Michigan
• Michael McDonough, 6-3, 275, OL, Bolingbrook, Illinois
• Logan Farrell, 6-3, 235, TE, Arlington Heights, Illinois
• Ismael Kante, 6-2, 225, EDGE, Fort Dodge, Iowa
• Desmond Straughton, 6-1, 192, ATH, Roseville, Michigan
• Xanai Scott, 5-10, 180, S, West Palm Beach, Florida
• Robert Jones III, 5-11.5, 165, CB, Vero Beach, Florida
• Cedric Wyche, 5-9.5, 200, RB, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
• Erik Gayle, 6-3, 215, EDGE, Cincinnati, Ohio
• Griffin Rousseau, 6-7, 305, OT, Stoughton, Wisconsin
• Grant Smith, 6-5, 225, TE, Maroa, Illinois

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When is early signing day?

The early signing day period opens Dec. 4 and closes Dec. 6.

When is late signing day?

The late signing day opens Feb. 5 and runs through April 1 for Division I programs.

Dana Dimel, a longtime college coach who led programs at Wyoming, Houston and UTEP, died in his sleep Tuesday. He was 62.

Dimel served as a senior offensive assistant this season at Illinois, following a six-year tenure at UTEP. He is most closely associated with Kansas State, where he was an All-America offensive lineman before beginning his coaching career under Bill Snyder. Dimel twice served as Kansas State’s offensive coordinator, most recently from 2009 to 2017. He spent a total of 20 seasons on Snyder’s staffs at Kansas State and was part of 12 bowl teams and the Big 12 championship squad of 2012.

“Obviously, we are very saddened by the passing of Dana,” Snyder said in a statement. “He was a special friend and coaching companion. I admired his passion for helping his players and fellow coaches. He was a big part of the development of the Kansas State football program, and along with his wife Julie, very meaningful in the Manhattan community.”

Dimel coached three seasons at both Houston and Wyoming, and went 50-88 overall as an FBS head coach. He also worked as an Arizona assistant from 2006 to 2008.

Illinois hired Dimel in July.

“He affected the lives of countless coaches, players, and staff members for more than three decades in college football,” Illinois coach Bret Bielema said in a statement. “His influence on our program was incredible to witness and be a part of. His infectious positive energy had a major impact on me, our players, and everyone in our building every day. He will be dearly missed.”

Associated Press

Eastern Illinois Panthers (2-5) at Butler Bulldogs (6-1)

Indianapolis; Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. EST

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Bulldogs -21.5; over/under is 139

BOTTOM LINE: Eastern Illinois visits Butler after Nakyel Shelton scored 26 points in Eastern Illinois’ 72-59 win over the Northern Illinois Huskies.

The Bulldogs have gone 4-1 at home. Butler has a 5-1 record against opponents above .500.

The Panthers are 0-5 in road games. Eastern Illinois is ninth in the OVC scoring 67.3 points per game and is shooting 42.1%.

Butler’s average of 9.1 made 3-pointers per game this season is just 0.8 fewer made shots on average than the 9.9 per game Eastern Illinois gives up. Eastern Illinois averages 4.9 made 3-pointers per game this season, 0.2 fewer makes per game than Butler gives up.

TOP PERFORMERS: Jahmyl Telfort is scoring 17.6 points per game with 3.4 rebounds and 3.0 assists for the Bulldogs.

Shelton is shooting 43.8% and averaging 18.4 points for the Panthers.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.