CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The Illinois football team will begin the 2025 season ranked #12 in the US LBM Preseason Coaches Poll, USA TODAY announced Monday. The Fighting Illini begin the season in the Coaches Poll top 15 for the first time since 1990, when Illinois also checked in at #12 in the Preseason Coaches Poll.
Illinois’ #12 preseason ranking is tied for the second-highest in program history since the Preseason Coaches Poll began in 1978, behind only Illini teams in 1985 (#10) and 1990 (#12). The Fighting Illini are ranked in the Preseason Coaches Poll for the first time since 2008 (#19).
Illinois returns 16 starters from last season — tied for the most in the nation — and 18 starters from last year’s Cheez-It Citrus Bowl team that finished #16 in the final Coaches Poll. Last year’s team tied the program record for wins with 10 and tied the program record for ranked wins with four. The Fighting Illini capped one of the best seasons in program history by beating #14 South Carolina in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, 21-17, in one of the top bowl game victories in Illinois history.
Among the returners are QB Luke Altmyer and OLB Gabe Jacas, who were voted by the media to the Big Ten’s Preseason Honors list of the top 15 players in the conference. Jacas had 74 tackles, 13.0 tackles for loss, and 8.0 sacks last season to lead the Illinois defense, while Altmyer threw for 2,717 yards and 22 touchdowns in 2024.
Illinois kicks off the 2025 football season at home against Western Illinois on Friday, Aug. 29, at 6:30 p.m. CT on Peacock.
Illinois All-Time in the Coaches Preseason Poll (Since 1978)
#10 — 1985
#12 — 2025
#12 — 1990
#19 — 2008
#21 — 2000
#22 — 1994
#24 — 1995
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at University of Illinois Athletics…