Quietly, Bret Bielema and Illinois football have built a pipeline that routinely sends impact players into the NFL. Three\u00a0former Illini \u2013 quarterback Luke Altmyer, linebacker Gabe Jacas and offensive lineman J.C. Davis \u2013\u00a0will participate in the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at\u00a0Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, which begins Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Illini and NFL fans can stream coverage of drills, press conferences and analysis of the combine at NFL+<\/a>. Live coverage begins at 2 p.m. (all times CT) on Thursday and ends 4 p.m. on Sunday.<\/p>\n Jacas is considered to be a potential first-round pick, and is expected to not last past the third round. Most draft projections have Davis being drafted somewhere between the middle and late rounds, while Altmyer is generally projected as a Day 3 prospect, most likely to come off the board between Rounds 5-7.<\/p>\n On-site. Ready to work. pic.twitter.com\/Hk61vwOzxO<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Illinois Football (@IlliniFootball) February 25, 2026<\/a>Illinois football in the NFL Draft Combine<\/p>\n Bielema\u00a0has sent 18 players to the NFL combine in five seasons as Illinois’ head coach, the program’s most ever over a five-year stretch. Last year, receiver Pat Bryant (who would go on to be selected by the Denver Broncos in the third round) was the only Illini to appear in the event.<\/p>\n Since it was consolidated into a league-wide event and landed permanently in Indianapolis in 1987, the combine has featured a total of 79 Illinois players. All-time high marks for Illini football alums in the event are as follows:<\/p>\n Shuttle drill Three-cone drill 40-yard dash Bench press Vertical leap Broad jump Daily coverage of Illini at the NFL Draft Combine<\/p>\n A quick guide for general coverage of the NFL Draft Combine:<\/p>\n Thursday, Feb. 26 (2-7\u00a0p.m. CT):\u00a0Defensive linemen, linebackersFriday, Feb. 27 (2-7\u00a0p.m. CT):\u00a0Defensive backs, tight endsSaturday, Feb. 28 (12-7\u00a0p.m. CT):\u00a0Quarterbacks, wide receivers, running backsSunday, March 1 (12-4\u00a0p.m. CT):\u00a0Offensive linemen<\/p>\n Right where he\u2019s supposed to be. Production travels. pic.twitter.com\/p5JsY6cxOO<\/a><\/p>\n
3.90: Kelvin Hayden, cornerback, 2005<\/p>\n
6.75: Vontae Davis, cornerback, 2009<\/p>\n
4.37: A.J. Jenkins, receiver, 2012<\/p>\n
38: Tony Pashos, offensive tackle, 2003<\/p>\n
44.0: Jartavius Martin, safety, 2023<\/p>\n
133: Jartavius Martin, safety, 2023<\/p>\n