On300 CB Nick Hankins commits to in-state Illinois

Four-star cornerback Nick Hankins has committed to Illinois, he announced on Thursday night.

Hankins chose the Illini over finalists Iowa, Ole Miss, Missouri and Tennessee, as well as more than a dozen other reported offers. He visited all three programs earlier this month, but ultimately chose to stay in-state with Bret Bielema and Co.

The 6-foot-1, 185-pounder is the No. 364 overall prospect and No. 34 CB in the 2026 class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

On3, however, is much higher on him than other services. In the most recent On300 rankings, he was tabbed as the country’s No. 196 prospect, No. 20 cornerback and the No. 7 player in the state of Illinois.

He is the 23rd commitment of the cycle for Bielema and his staff, which has put together a class that ranked No. 22 nationally coming into the day, according to the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. Hankins is one of four blue-chippers in the fold for the Illini, joining four-stars Nasir Rankin, Kai Pritchard and Cam Thomas.

Tampa Bay (Fla.) Tech running back Javari Barnett is also rated as a four-star and a member of the On300.

Other top commits in the class include: Olney (Ill.) Richland County three-star offensive tackle Casey Thomann, Jacksonville Raines three-star linebacker Tony Williams, Orlando Bishop Moore Catholic three-star WR Kenyon Alston, Omaha (Neb.) Millard South three-star interior offensive lineman Landen Von Seggern and Chicago Brother Rice three-star defensive lineman King Liggins.