#70
Maika Matelau
Returning to Illinois for 2026
Ontario, Calif. → Upland
via fightingillini.com ↗Maika Matelau
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
2025 - Mt. San Antonio No. 1 junior college interior lineman in the nation by 247Sports No. 16 junior college player in the nation by 247Sports Offers included Boise State, BYU, California, Colorado, Michigan State, Mississippi State, North Carolina State, Nebraska, Oklahoma State, Utah, Washingt...
Stats from CFBD · ESPN · fan discourse. Every figure computed from source tables — not invented. Methodology