Matthew Bailey
Matthew Bailey
Plays like an extra linebacker near the line. He has spent four seasons in the Illinois secondary. The receipt on tape: 10 tackles against Wisconsin, Week 13, 2025.
Low coverage — composed from the verified record.
- positional archetype classification
- seasons on the roster
- game log
Career Arc
Coaching Lineage · 2022–2025
1 coachPlayed his entire career under Bret Bielema.
2025 snapshot
Season context · Team result + system
Splits & context
Supporting Cast · Scheme
Staff and system around the player
Head Coach
Bret Bielema
Awards
Player Standing · 17 rungs
Tier 2 · StarterR07 · Impact starter
Impact starter. Tackle volume for the position among the most productive regulars.
Career stats
Signature game
SIGNATURE GAME · Week 5 · 2025
W 34–32
vs USC
5 TOT · 4 SOLO · 1 TFL
Edged out USC at home in a shootout.
How he plays
Play style
Lives near the line of scrimmage as a de facto extra linebacker.
CFB Index positional classification
2026 Outlook
Illinois
2026 Depth chart
Projected starter
Defensive back · Illinois
Returning around him
- 3 Illinois players drafted to NFL
- Transfer portal: -8 net (19 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
DNA match
Player DNA
Box Safety
Lives near the line of scrimmage as a de facto extra linebacker.
His 2025 production profile sits closest to Daniel Scott’s 2021 season.
Matches Daniel on
Not enough data yet for this comparison.
As a senior, his production profile tracks closest to Kyle Efford's senior season at Georgia Tech (2025).
Matches Kyle on
Background
Two-Time All-Big Ten Illinois Record - Tackles in a Bowl Game (13) University of Illinois Graduate 2026 Senior Phil Steele Preseason All-Big Ten Third Team Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List 2025 Junior 2025 All-Big Ten Honorable Mention (coaches and media) Academic All-Big Ten Started in all 12 regul...