2026 Captains Chosen by Team Vote
The University of Illinois Fighting Illini have revealed the six players who will wear the captain’s armband for the 2026 football season, a list determined by a vote among teammates.
Matthew Bailey, a two‑time All‑Big Ten defensive back, brings a reputation for hard‑hitting leadership, having topped the team in tackles and amassing 185 career stops.
Katin Houser arrives as one of the most highly touted transfer quarterbacks in the nation, carrying a career résumé of 6,438 passing yards and 43 touchdowns from his stints at Michigan State and East Carolina.
Wide receiver Collin Dixon returns as the Illini’s top holdover at the position, having posted 35 catches for 548 yards and tied for the team lead in receiving touchdowns with five in the previous season.
Running back Aidan Laughery stands as the most experienced rusher in the backfield, boasting 1,061 career rushing yards and a 5.6 yards‑per‑carry average over five years of collegiate play.
Jake Renfro, a former All‑American lineman who helped Cincinnati reach the College Football Playoff in 2021, joins the leadership group after earning multiple Rimington Trophy watch‑list nods.
Xavier Scott, a 2024 All‑Big Ten first‑team selection and Paycom Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist, will anchor the secondary after missing the final ten games of 2025 due to injury.