College Football 27 dynasty · B1G

Illinois Dynasty in CFB 27

Illinois opens a College Football 27 dynasty with the 58th-rated projected lineup among 138 FBS teams (78.5 OVR). The strongest unit is cornerback (85, 19th); the weakest is defensive line (73.3, 125th). 14 of the 22 projected starters are listed as seniors.

Ratings: “Freshmen Update 8/27/26” · updated Aug 31, 2026

Starter avg: 78.5; 58th of 138
Offense: 80.5; 39th nationally
Defense: 76.5; 83rd nationally
Senior starters: 14 / 22; listed as seniors

Where the roster stands

Unit ratings

Illinois Fighting Illini unit ratings in College Football 27
Unit	Projected starters	Avg OVR	National rank
Quarterback1 starter · 3 on roster	Katin Houser 83	83	33rd / 138
Running back1 starter · 5 on roster	Aidan Laughery 85	85	44th / 138
Wide receiver3 starters · 10 on roster	Alex Perry 84, Collin Dixon 84, Hudson Clement 83	83.7	24th / 138
Tight end1 starter · 6 on roster	Christian Abney 74	74	87th / 138
Offensive line5 starters · 16 on roster	Jake Renfro 85, Brandon Henderson 80, Brandon Hansen 78, Christian Martin 75, Nathan Knapik 75	78.6	48th / 138
Defensive line4 starters · 15 on roster	Darrell Prater 75, Cameron Brooks 74, Carter Janki 73, Deon Williams 71	73.3	125th / 138
Linebacker3 starters · 10 on roster	Robert Edmonson 75, Grant Beerman 72, James Kreutz 70	72.3	105th / 138
Cornerback2 starters · 9 on roster	Xavier Scott 88, Juice Clarke 82	85	19th / 138
Safety2 starters · 9 on roster	Matthew Bailey 89, Mac Resetich 73	81	37th / 138
Kicker1 starter · 1 on roster	Lucas Osada 75	75	87th / 138
Punter1 starter · 1 on roster	Lars Rau 69	69	123rd / 138

Projected starters are the highest-rated players at each position group: 1 QB, 1 HB, 3 WR, 1 TE, 5 OL, 4 DL, 3 LB, 2 CB and 2 S. Kickers and punters are not included in the starter average. This is our calculation from the roster ratings, not EA’s official team rating.

Year-one departures

Senior starters to replace

Illinois Fighting Illini projected starters listed as seniors
Player	Pos	Class	Archetype	OVR
Katin Houser	QB	Sr.	Pocket Passer	83
Aidan Laughery	HB	Sr.	East/West Playmaker	85
Alex Perry	WR	Sr.	Contested Specialist	84
Hudson Clement	WR	Sr.	Speedster	83
Christian Abney	TE	Sr.	Vertical Threat	74
Jake Renfro	C	Sr.	Raw Strength	85
Brandon Henderson	RG	Sr.	Raw Strength	80
Darrell Prater	DT	Sr.	Pure Power	75
Carter Janki	DT	Sr.	Pure Power	73
James Kreutz	ROLB	Sr.	Thumper	70
Xavier Scott	CB	Sr.	Boundary	88
Juice Clarke	CB	Sr.	Field	82
Matthew Bailey	SS	Sr.	Hybrid	89
Mac Resetich	FS	Sr.	Box Specialist	73

Class year as listed on the College Football 27 roster. Redshirt status isn’t in the data, so a player listed as a senior may still have a season left.

Freshmen and sophomores

Young core

Highest-rated Illinois Fighting Illini freshmen and sophomores
Player	Pos	Class	Archetype	OVR
Nick Hankins Jr.	CB	Fr.	Bump and Run	78
Nas Rankin	WR	Fr.	Gadget	76
Lucas Osada	K	So.	Power	75
Nathan Knapik	RT	So.	Agile	75
Brayden Trimble	WR	Fr.	Elusive Route Runner	74
Cameron Brooks	RE	Fr.	Pure Power	74
Javari Barnett	HB	Fr.	Elusive Bruiser	73
Carson Boyd	QB	Fr.	Pure Runner	72

Roster composition

Roster by class

Freshmans: 31
Sophomores: 15
Juniors: 15
Seniors: 24

Rivalry games

Illinois rivalries

Illinois Fighting Illini rivalries and all-time series records
Opponent	Rivalry	All-time series	First met	Streak
Purdue	Purdue Cannon	Purdue leads 49–47	1890	W2
Northwestern	Land of Lincoln TrophyLand of Lincoln	Illinois leads 60–55	1892	W2
Missouri	Arch Rivalry	Missouri leads 17–7	1896	L6
Ohio State	Illibuck	Ohio State leads 69–30	1902	L7

Records to chase

Illinois career records

All records

Full Illinois CFB 27 roster Illinois Fighting Illini team page

Sources & notes

EA Sports College Football 27 roster ratings — Ratings from “Freshmen Update 8/27/26” roster update, imported 2026-08-31 via Teamcrafters. Ratings change with each roster update.
EA Sports College Football 27 rivalry data — All-time series records as they ship in the game, before any dynasty games are played.

Last updated Aug 31, 2026.