#85
Will Vala III
Returning to Illinois for 2026
Downers Grove, Ill. → Downers Grove North
via fightingillini.com ↗Will Vala III
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
Tight end · 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 Three-star recruit by 247 Sports, ESPN and Rivals Position ranks: #13 (ESPN), #85 (247), #98 (Rivals) State ranks: #19 (ESPN), #39 (247), #44 (Rivals) Played for head coach Joe Horeni at Downers Grove North 57 receptions for 851 yards and eight touchdowns 2025 all-state Two-time all-c...
Stats from CFBD · ESPN · fan discourse. Every figure computed from source tables — not invented. Methodology