Illini Football Players Earn Senior All-Star Game Invites

Illinois sends record number of players to prestigious postseason showcases.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 12:22pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting fragmented and overlapping scenes of a college football game, with sharp planes of navy blue, orange, and white representing the players and action on the field.The Illini's senior all-star game participants will showcase their skills on the national stage, further elevating the program's profile.Frisco Today

The University of Illinois football program is sending a record number of players to prestigious postseason all-star games, including the Senior Bowl, East-West Shrine Bowl, and Hula Bowl. This marks the most Illini players participating in these events during head coach Bret Bielema's tenure, underscoring the program's continued development.

Why it matters

These all-star game invitations provide Illinois players with a valuable opportunity to showcase their talents in front of NFL scouts, potentially boosting their draft stock ahead of the upcoming professional football league. The high number of Illini participants also reflects the program's growing reputation and the impact of Bielema's coaching.

The details

The Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, will feature three Illinois seniors: quarterback Luke Altmyer, offensive lineman J.C. Davis, and outside linebacker Gabe Jacas. This ties the Illinois record for the most players in this game, matching the feat achieved in 2023. Altmyer will be just the second Illini QB to ever play in the Senior Bowl, following Kurt Kittner in 2002. Bielema has now sent 10 players to the Senior Bowl during his tenure, the second-most in program history. The East-West Shrine Bowl in Frisco, Texas, will feature defensive lineman James Thompson Jr., while the Hula Bowl in DeLand, Florida, will include offensive linemen Josh Gesky and Melvin Priestly.

  • The Senior Bowl will take place on January 31st.
  • The East-West Shrine Bowl is scheduled for January 27th.
  • The Hula Bowl is set for January 10th.

The players

Luke Altmyer

A senior quarterback for the University of Illinois football team.

J.C. Davis

A senior offensive lineman for the University of Illinois football team.

Gabe Jacas

A senior outside linebacker for the University of Illinois football team.

James Thompson Jr.

A senior defensive lineman for the University of Illinois football team.

Josh Gesky

A senior offensive lineman for the University of Illinois football team.

Melvin Priestly

A senior offensive lineman for the University of Illinois football team.

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What they’re saying

“These all-star game invitations provide a fantastic opportunity for these players to showcase their skills and potentially boost their draft stock.”

— Bret Bielema, Head Coach, University of Illinois

What’s next

The performances of the Illini players in these all-star games will be closely watched by NFL scouts, as they look to improve their draft positioning ahead of the upcoming professional football league.

The takeaway

The high number of Illinois players participating in prestigious postseason all-star games is a testament to the program's continued development under head coach Bret Bielema. This exposure could lead to increased NFL opportunities for these Illini seniors, further elevating the profile of the university's football program.