Michael McDonough - 2026 - Football - University of Illinois Athletics

CHAMPAIGN, IL - August 11, 2025 - Offensive Lineman Michael McDonough (#68) during Fall Camp practice at the Smith Center practice fields in Champaign, IL. Photo by Pat Pierson/Fighting Illini

Photo by: Pat Pierson/Fighting Illini

CHAMPAIGN, ILL. - February 13, 2025 - Photo taken during offseason lifting of Illinois Fighting Illini Football at Irwin Indoor Practice Facility. (Photo by Aaron Quinn/Illinois Athletics)

Photo by: Aaron Quinn/Fighting Illini

CHAMPAIGN, IL - January 26, 2025 - Photos taken during the game between the Northwestern Wildcats and the Illinois Fighting Illini at State Farm Center in Champaign, IL. (Photo By Patrick Pierson)

Photo by: Patrick Pierson / Illinois Athletics

Michael McDonough

68

Michael McDonough

Position:
OL
Class:
Redshirt Freshman
Height:
6-3
Weight:
310
Major:
Mechanical Engineering
Hometown:
Tinley Park, Ill.
High School:
Andrew

2025 Freshman

Did not play in a game and redshirted the season

High School

Three-star recruit by 247Sports, ESPN, On3, and Rivals
Position ranks: #27 (ESPN), #74 (247Sports), #83 (On3)
State of Illinois ranks: #13 (ESPN), #24 (247Sports), #29 (On3)
Played for head coach Adam Lewandowski at Andrew
Four-year letterwinner
2024 IHSFCA Class 8A All-State Honorable Mention
2024 News-Gazette All-State
2023 IHSFCA Class 7A All-State Honorable Mention
Academic All-State
Two-time All-Southwest Valley Conference
National Honor Society
National German Honor Society
Also a state-qualifying wrestler in high school
Offers included Boston College, Colorado, and Purdue

Personal

Born September 6, 2006
Son of Jim and Katie McDonough
Two sisters, Madison and Morgan
Father, Jim, played football at Saint Joseph’s College
Majoring in mechanical engineering
Chose Illinois because “the whole program really feels like a family.”

Thursday, March 05

Thursday, February 12

Thursday, February 05

Wednesday, January 21

Chicago to Champaign

Illinois Releases Chicago to Champaign Collection

Tuesday, June 02

Simeon Rice and Kevin Hardy - 2026 College Football Hall of Fame Ballot

Rice, Hardy on College Football Hall of Fame Ballot

Monday, June 01

Bielema Cubs Wrigley

Bielema, Bailey to Guest Conduct Seventh-Inning Stretch at Wrigley Field on June 2

Thursday, May 28

Gies Memorial Stadium Crowd - 2025 vs. USC

First Three Illini Football Game Times, TV Designations Announced

Wednesday, May 27