Cam Thomas is one of the top athletes in the 2026 recruiting class, and though there is still plenty of time to go in his recruitment, he’s decided to play college ball for Illinois.
Thomas, a 6-foot-2, 217-pound linebacker from West Chester, Ohio, committed to Illinois football head coach Bret Bielema over offers from several notable programs. That’s a list that includes Michigan, Oregon, Wisconsin, Louisville, Cincinnati and others.
There’s a lot to like at Illinois for Thomas and it’s more than just a football decision for him.
“They are a great school in Business and Finance. That was important because that is the field I want to go into,” he told Chad Simmons of On3. “I like the vibe around the campus too. It is beautiful. I feel comfortable with the coaches, my family likes the staff and I see a great chance to compete for playing time.”
Thomas also has a strong connection to Illinois in his former high school teammate, Grant Beerman, who was a freshman linebacker for the Illini last season.
“It was really when he committed to them that I started looking harder at Illinois. It would be cool to play beside him again and I like the plan they laid out for me,” Thomas explained. “I like how Illinois puts its roster together. They recruit well and I like the fit at linebacker. I know what they want me to do in their defense, so that fits me as well.”
The 247Sports Composite ranks Thomas as the No. 24 linebacker in the 2026 class and the Illini clearly want him at that position. He fits between a linebacker and EDGE rusher as a recruit, so it’s worth noting that On3 ranks him as the No. 17 athlete in the 2026 class.
