Four-Star Tight End JC Anderson Chooses Ole Miss Over Illinois

As a junior last year, Anderson had 47 receptions for 535 yards and seven touchdowns to lead Mt. Zion to the IHSA 4A state championship game, and he is currently the third-ranked player in the state and 10th-ranked tight end in the nation, per 247Sports.

Obviously, no program can land every recruit, but losing out on Anderson hurts. Not only was Anderson an Illinois native, but the 6-foot-6 tight end also would have been the Illini's seventh four-star recruit, per Rivals, and second four-star pass catcher after landing wide receiver Nasir Rankin a little over a month ago.

Still ,though, the Illini are in pretty good shape. ESPN had Illinois at No. 9 in its 2026 recruiting class rankings two weeks ago, and regardless of Anderson's commitment, will probably finish the season somewhere between Nos. 8-13. Illinois hasn't been able to say that for a very long time, and Bielema has a lot to do with it – even if Paul Finebaum doesn't want to admit it.

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Four-Star Athlete Jacob Eberhart Includes Illinois Among Top Five Finalists

Illinois Coach Bret Bielema Raises Concerns Over Player Tampering

Alabama Beats out Illinois Football on Recruiting Trail Yet Again