Scholar Athlete of the Week | Michael Clayton II
October 15, 2026 | Football, Academic Services
NEWS
Oct. 5-11, 2026
Michael Clayton II | Fr., Football | Major: Exploratory Studies.
Freshman quarterback Michael Clayton II helped lead Illinois to a dramatic 38–37 overtime victory over Michigan State, securing the Fighting Illini's third win of the season and their first road and Big Ten victories. Entering the game for the injured starter, Clayton threw a 25-yard touchdown to open overtime and finished with six completions on eight attempts for 88 yards and two touchdowns. Clayton made program history, becoming the first true freshman quarterback in Illinois history to throw two or more touchdown passes in a Big Ten road win.
Clayton, a freshman from Orlando, Florida, is studying exploratory studies at the University of Illinois.
