The Illinois Fighting Illini have added a promising piece to their offense with the verbal commitment of three‑star running back Steven Alexis, a Florida native who spent his senior year at Gibbs High School.
Alexis arrives after a breakout 2025 season in which he amassed 1,113 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on 124 carries, earning a No. 87 ranking among the state’s top backs and the No. 117 spot nationally.
His speed is evident in a 4.4‑second 40‑yard dash and a 10.7‑second 100‑meter sprint, traits that coaches say could make him a change‑of‑pace option when he steps onto the Champaign campus in 2027.
A Dynamic Addition to the Backfield
Coaches see Alexis as more than just a depth piece; they believe his skill set could become a real difference maker for the Fighting Illini, joining a backfield that already includes junior Ca'Lil Valentine and incoming freshmen Javari Barnett and Nelsyn Wheeler.
The commitment is part of a flurry of activity for the program, which has secured seven pledges in the past ten days, including four‑star wide receiver Bennett Konkey and three‑star quarterback Sladen Slack, a haul that reflects head coach Bret Bielema’s recruiting momentum.
Illinois’ rushing attack ranked No. 89 nationally last season, averaging 138.1 yards per game, and the addition of Alexis is expected to deepen the unit as the team looks to climb the national rankings.