Nelsyn Wheeler
5′9″ · 205 lb · Grand Island, NE · Millard South
On the Illinois roster; he has not appeared in a game on our list yet.
Where he comes from
- Grand Island, NE
- Millard South
- About 400 miles from Memorial Stadium (Champaign, IL)
- Three-star recruit, No. 1438 nationally in the 2026 class, rating 0.8633.
Where he fits
Illinois lists 9 running backs this season.
Illinois running backs with a game this season
Illinois’s week
- RecordIllinois is 3-3.
- Next gameat Maryland · Sat Oct 31
Players like him
Same class and position
Also from Grand Island, NE
News and fans
No outlet on our list has written about him by name this season.
Illinois in the news
Where to follow him
Splits
Home and road splits, scheme and staff
Supporting cast · Scheme
Staff and system around the player
Head Coach
Bret Bielema
Pass share
51.9%
192 pass / 178 run
Plays / game
61.7
6 games
Team sack rate
3.2%
216 dropbacks · PBP
Scheme: Balanced, slow tempo.
Awards
A three-star recruit at running back for Illinois -- now projected as a quality contributor in the backfield.
He hasn't recorded a college stat yet. Here's what we know about him.
Illinois has produced 2 All-Conference running backs. 1 have gone on to the NFL Draft since 2023. Chase Brown went on to the NFL out of this room (2023).
Joined Illinois in 2026
- 2026 Illinois BielemaYear 1 · on the roster, no stat line
- Before collegeSigned with Illinois in 2026 as a 3-star recruit, No. 1,438 in the country.
His moves
- Signed with Illinois in the 2026 class, a 3-star recruit.
His career
2026
- Signed with Illinois3-star out of Millard South