2026 edge rusher Kingston Shaw commits to Bret Bielema and Illinois

Orlando (Fla.) The First Academy linebacker/defensive end prospect Kingston Shaw has committed to Illinois.

Commit No. 2 for head coach Bret Bielema and the Illini in the class-of-2026, the 6-foot-4, 235-pound Shaw chose the Illini over Arkansas and Mississippi State among others.

Illinois offered Shaw during the summer and he loved his visit to Champaign. He also attended the Citrus Bowl in over South Carolina on New Year’s Eve, watching Illinois finish the season 10-3.

“Honestly the amount of love they gave me off the bat,” Shaw said of why he committed. “The amount of attention, how they set the vision for what this program is going to be and it’s already coming to fruition.

“Yesterday with them beating South Carolina, I was at that game and it was special to watch.”

Shaw joins fellow Sunshine State product in quarterback Michael Clayton in giving an early commitment to Illinois. He is recruited to play the same position as Gabe Jacas in the Illini front seven.

“My favorite things are No. 1 the involvement with the coaches,” Shaw said. “They’re all the way in trying to push you to be your absolute best. Their whole thing is saying family. There is definitely a family aspect meeting the players. There is already a warmth. Same thing with Coach B. There is definitely a family aspect about it. 

“The campus is beautiful,” Shaw continued. “It’s a Big Ten school. I get to play some of the best competition in the country.”

As a junior at Apopka (Fla.) High, Shaw and his 81-inch wingspan registered 42 tackles with 11 coming for loss in nine games. As a sophomore he had 56 tackles. He has a lot of physical upside and the traits we’ve seen Bielema and his staff develop at a high level over the course of his career.