#52
Champ Smith
Returning to Illinois for 2026
Fort Pierce, Fla. → Vero Beach
via fightingillini.com ↗Champ Smith
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
Offensive line · 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
High School Four-star recruit by ESPN Three-star recruit by 247 and Rivals No. 81 overall recruit in the ESPN 300 Position ranks: #14 (ESPN), #25 (247), #36 (Rivals) State ranks: #10 (ESPN), #42 (247), #56 (Rivals) Played for head coach Lenny Jankowksi at Vero Beach Four-year letterwinner Six car...
Stats from CFBD · ESPN · fan discourse. Every figure computed from source tables — not invented. Methodology