Erik Gayle
Freshman linebacker on Illinois's 2026 roster. No game stats recorded yet.
6′3″ · 230 lb · Cincinnati, OH · Withrow
Recruiting
EDGE recruit
No. 987 nationally · Signed with Illinois
No college snaps yet.
His full recruiting profileThe story
Freshman linebacker on Illinois's 2026 roster. No game stats recorded yet.
- Signed as a 3-star recruit to Illinois in 2025.
From Cincinnati, OH.
His career
2025
- Signed with Illinois3-star out of Withrow
Career arc
Splits & context
Supporting cast · Scheme
Staff and system around the player
Head Coach
Bret Bielema
Pass share
48.8%
81 pass / 85 run
Plays / game
55.3
3 games
Team sack rate
2.2%
91 dropbacks · PBP
Scheme: Balanced, slow tempo.
Awards
A three-star recruit at linebacker for Illinois -- now graded to hold down a real role in the linebacker room.
He hasn't recorded a college stat yet. Here's what we know about him.
Grades highest in pursuit and hit power.
Illinois has produced 1 All-Conference linebackers.
Background
2025 - Illinois Did not play in a game and redshirted High School Four-star recruit by ESPN Three-star recruit by 247Sports, On3, and Rivals Position ranks: #46 (ESPN), #90 (247Sports), #132 (On3) State of Ohio ranks: #14 (ESPN), #32 (Rivals), #55 (247Sports), #59 (On3) Played for head coach…
The linebacker corps · Illinois
- #45Robert Edmonson47 tackles · 2025
- #24William Holmes45 tackles · 2025
- #10James Kreutz30 tackles · 2025
- #4Daniel Brown11 tackles · 2025
- #34Erik Gayleno box-score line yet
10 more on the roster · Illinois team page