#87
BJ Thurman
Returning to Illinois for 2026
Berkeley, Calif. → Berkeley
via fightingillini.com ↗BJ Thurman
Limited signal — not enough coverage for a story yet.
Career Arc
HS
Recruit
★★★
CFB
College
—
NFL
NFL Draft
—
Splits & context
Supporting Cast · Scheme
Staff and system around the player
Head Coach
Bret Bielema
How he plays
2026 Outlook
Illinois
2026 Depth chart
Projected starter
Tight end · Illinois
Returning around him
- 21% of 2024 offensive production back (Heavy turnover)
- 3 Illinois players drafted to NFL
- Transfer portal: -7 net (20 in / 27 out)
2026 Award watch
No preseason watch lists yet (most drop June 15 – July 15)
Illinois · Last season: 9-4 (AP #23) · Talent rank #64 · 2026 recruiting class #24
Background
2025 - College of San Mateo Played in 11 games at tight end 16 receptions for 322 yards and six touchdowns Helped the College of San Mateo to a 12-1 record and 3C2A State Championship No. 1-ranked junior college tight end in the nation, according to 247Sports High School Three-star recruit by 247...
Stats from CFBD · ESPN · fan discourse. Every figure computed from source tables — not invented. Methodology