2027 NFL Draft: Illinois Illini
All Access Football examines the top 2027 draft-eligible prospects from the Illinois Illini.
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2027 NFL DRAFT TRACKER: ILLINOIS ILLINI
Location: x || Conference: B1G || Head Coach: Bret Bielema (5 Years: 37-26; Career: 134-84) || NFL Draft Picks Under Bielema: 15 (3 per year) || First Round Picks Under Bielema: 1 || Number of 2026 NFL Draft Picks: 3 || Illini in NFL: 34 (as of 5/26/26)
The Illinois Illini have elevated their profile in the Big Ten with an impressive 11-7 conference record over the past two seasons. The school produced three selections in the 2026 NFL Draft, as head coach Bret Bielama enters this season with College Football Playoff aspirations.
Plenty of fresh blood has arrived to the program via the portal, none bigger than former East Carolina quarterback Katin Houser, who passed for 3,300 yards for the Pirates last season, while accounting for 28 total touchdowns and just six interceptions. He replaces Luke Altmyer (Lions), who started the past three years in Champaign.
On defense, the secondary figures to be the where their greatest strength lies, as both cornerback Xavier Scott and safety Matthew Bailey are two prospects that stand a strong chance to hear their name called next April. A two-time All-Big Ten selection, Scott saw his season end prematurely due to ankle injury but he has since regained full strength, while Bailey is quick to stuff the box as a run enforcer.
We have ranked the top 15 draft-eligible prospects for the 2027 NFL Draft from the Illinois Illini program below. Be sure to bookmark this page, as we will expand, update and add scouting reports throughout the year. Keep it locked to AAF for more SEC NFL Draft Tracker previews throughout the week. (pic: Gameday Spirit | Illinois)
SEC 2027 NFL DRAFT TRACKER SERIES: ALA | ARK | AUB | FLA | UGA | UK | LSU | MISS | MSU | MU | OU | SC | TAMU | TEN | TEX | VAN
RANKINGS: TOP 100 | QB | RB | WR | TE | OT | OG | C | DT | ER | LB | CB | S | ST
PLAYER | POS | YEAR | # | HEIGHT | WEIGHT | FORTY | HOMETOWN
Xavier Scott, CB, rSr, #1, 5112, 195, 4.50e, Riviera Beach, FL
