Why Illinois was the right choice for Lincoln-Way East’s Jacob Alexander

Nearly 14 months ago, Jacob Alexander was just midway through his sophomore year of high school when he received his first offer to play college football at the Division I level, in the Power Four no less. Over the next year, he wound up receiving 13 more offers, 12 of them from the Power Four level, as his star continued to rise.

Last week, however, he decided with a year and half of high school left where he’d be going. In the end, he picked the first team to let him know they wanted him.

Alexander, a junior at Lincoln-Way East, has verbally committed to play football for the University of Illinois beginning in 2026.

“I could just see myself fitting into the scheme,” Alexander said. “The people in the building, everyone from the front office to the coaches, I just felt a great connection to them. I felt like I could trust them with my future.”

A 6-foot-4, 240-pound edge rusher, Alexander is ranked as a three-star prospect by multiple recruiting outlets and rated the 14th best prospect in the state for his class. He finished his junior campaign with 36 tackles, five sacks and two tackles for loss, making the All-Southwest Valley Conference Blue team.

When they offered him, the Illini were coming off a 5-7 season in which they went 3-6 in Big Ten play. However, head coach Bret Bielema saw a breakthrough in his fourth year at the helm in 2024.

Illinois finished 10-3 this past season, including 6-3 in conference play, its best mark since winning nine games in 2007. The Illini also defeated a South Carolina team that almost made the College Football Playoff in the Citrus Bowl 21-17, their first bowl win in 13 years. The Illini finished the year ranked 16th in the country, their best season since making the Sugar Bowl in 2001.

The impressive run was a key in earning Alexander’s commitment.

“After coach [Bielema] and his staff got there, they definitely improved each year,” Alexander said. “Things have come a long way and come together, which definitely played a huge factor.”

Alexander’s commitment also is indicative of a rising profile for Illinois.

Since Bielema took over, there’s been a renewal of success at the next level for Illini defenders. Defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton was drafted in the second round by the Washington Commanders in 2024, and Devon Weatherspoon has made the Pro Bowl his first two seasons with the Seattle Seahawks.

Alexander also said he had an offer from Michigan, the 2023 national champion, which he seemed to be leaning toward late in the summer. In the end, the team closest to home won out.

Now, he’ll be going against the Wolverines in conference play, along with six other teams that offered him (Michigan State, Indiana, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Rutgers, Nebraska).

He says he’s looking forward to the challenge.

“It’s definitely exciting getting to go against high-level programs,” Alexander said. “Being able to represent my home state and play against other great programs is going to be amazing. It’s a blessing for sure.”

Alexander mentioned being relieved to have the recruiting process settled heading into his senior year, which will allow him to focus more on leading Lincoln-Way East to its first state championship since 2019. The Griffins fell in the state semifinals last season after losing in the state championship game the previous two years.

With Alexander and Oregon-committed quarterback Jonas Williams back, plus the addition of receiver Blaise LaVista from Libertyville, the Griffins are poised to be one of the best Class 8A teams in the state once again. Alexander says he will be looking to improve his speed off the ball, and he’s excited to see his fellow rising seniors take a big step forward.

Most of all, he’s looking to bring home the biggest team award there is in Illinois high school football.

“My main goal is definitely to win a state championship,” he said. “There’s been three years where we haven’t made it all the way through. Just doing it for the team and the program, that’s my main goal, just getting a championship.”