
The 2025 college football season is fast approaching, and the Illinois football team is preparing for a challenging schedule. Last year, the Illini had a strong season with 10 wins, including a notable victory over South Carolina, whose team featured a Heisman Trophy favorite. This year, Illinois will face tough competition, including several highly talented players expected to be top picks in the upcoming NFL Draft.
According to ESPN’s early 2026 NFL Mock Draft, Illinois will go up against three players projected to be selected in the first round. One of these is Caleb Downs, a safety for Ohio State who transferred from Alabama after the 2023 season. Downs is known for his ball-hawking skills, recording 81 tackles, six pass deflections, and two interceptions last season. Illinois will face Ohio State on October 11, where their offense will need to contend with Downs’ defensive prowess.
Another highly rated player Illinois will meet is D’Angelo Ponds, a cornerback for Indiana. Ponds is expected to be chosen around pick number 28 in the draft and transferred from James Madison to Indiana with his head coach. In his first season at Indiana, Ponds made a strong impact with 55 tackles, nine pass deflections, and three interceptions. Illinois will play Indiana in Bloomington on September 20, where the wide receivers will have to test their skills against Ponds.
On the offensive side, Illinois will face a major challenge from Denzel Boston, a wide receiver for Washington who is projected to go late in the first round. Boston is entering his fourth season, a rarity in college football, and had an impressive 2024 campaign with 63 receptions, 834 yards, and nine touchdowns. Illinois will take on Washington on October 25, and their defensive backs will be tested against one of the nation’s best receivers.
Overall, Illinois will face significant challenges this season with three projected first-round NFL Draft picks on their schedule. These matchups will test both their offense and defense as they compete against some of the top talent in college football in 2025.