2026 Football Roster
Jersey Number 55
Tony Balanganayi
- Position:
- DL
- Class:
- Freshman
- Height:
- 6-4
- Weight:
- 280
- Hometown:
- Palatine, Ill.
- High School:
- Palatine
High School
- Three-star recruit by 247Sports, ESPN and Rivals
- Position ranks: #54 (247), #66 (Rivals), #108 (ESPN)
- State ranks: #14 (247), #18 (Rivals), #34 (ESPN)
- Played for head coach Corey Olson at Palatine
- 2025 All-Mid-Suburban League selection
- Also a two-time all conference selection in basketball
- Offers included Auburn, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Kentucky, Louisville, Miami (Fla.), Michigan, Michigan State, Missouri, Nebraska, Ole Miss, Purdue, Rutgers, and West Virginia
Personal
- Born September 29, 2007
- Son of Balis and Ivette Balanganayi
- Three brothers, Mack, Merveil and David, and two sisters, Eden and Natasha
Illinois Football | Bret Bielema Press Conference 3/5/26
Thursday, March 05
Illinois Football | Bobby Hauck Introductory Press Conference 2/12/26
Thursday, February 12
Illinois Football | Bret Bielema Press Conference 2/4/26
Thursday, February 05
Illinois Football | Xavier Scott Return Announcement Press Conference Press Conference 1/21/26
Wednesday, January 21
