Elite 2026 CB Victor Singleton commits to Illinois

Toledo (Ohio) Central Catholic four-star cornerback Victor Singleton has committed to Illinois, per On3’s Hayes Fawcett.

He chose the Illini while also holding offers from the likes of Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, Tennessee and plenty of others.

Singleton is the No. 64 overall prospect and No. 6 CB in the 2026 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 2 player in Ohio.

On3 ranks Singleton higher than other recruiting services. He checks in as the No. 36 recruit, No. 4 CB and No. 2 player in the Buckeye State, per the On300.

Singleton visited Champaign at the end of January. The 6-foot, 160-pounder left impressed by what he saw and has now opted to join the Big Ten program’s budding pledge list.

“The coaching staff and amazing people on the campus,” Singleton told On3’s Steve Wiltfong after the visit. “It was a great time.”

The Illini add a major piece to 2026 recruiting class

The massive recruiting win for Bret Bielema and Co. gives Illinois its seventh commitment in the 2026 class. The class was kicked off back in November as the Illini landed a commitment from Orlando Seminole three-star quarterback Michael Clayton. The 6-foot-3.5 signal-caller ranks as the No. 28 QB in the nation.

He remained the lone pledge in the class heading into January, though that quickly changed on New Year’s Day. Apopka (Fla.) First Academy linebacker Kingston Shaw continued Illinois’ Sunshine State pipeline and has since been joined by Orlando Bishop Moore Catholic three-star wide receiver Kenyon Alston, who committed on Jan. 23.

“The relationship that I’ve built with (receivers coach Justin Stepp) and (assistant coach Arthur Sitkowski) is a big reason why I chose Illinois,” Alston told On3. “Coach Stepp has developed some elite wide receivers and I’m excited to learn from him!”

Between Shaw and Alston, De Kalb (Ill.) three-star ATH Davon Grant and Omaha (Neb.) Millard South three-star interior offensive lineman Landen Von Seggern also joined the class. Von Seggern is the No. 2 player in Nebraska. Frankfort (Ill.) Lincoln-Way East three-star EDGE Jacob Alexander also committed in January.

The class now ranks No. 21 in the nation, according to the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings.