Erik Gayle
Freshman linebacker on Illinois's 2026 roster. No game stats recorded yet.
6′3″ · 230 lb · Cincinnati, OH · Withrow
Recruiting
EDGE recruit
No. 987 nationally · Signed with Illinois
No college snaps yet.
His full recruiting profileThe story
1 linebacker on Illinois's roster. No game stats recorded yet.
- Signed as a 3-star recruit to Illinois in 2025.
Erik Gayle
Limited signal — not enough coverage for a story yet.
His career
2025
- Signed with Illinois3-star out of Withrow
Career arc
Splits & context
Supporting cast · Scheme
Staff and system around the player
Head Coach
Bret Bielema
Scheme reads (pass share, tempo, sack rate) need at least 3 team games — 2 games in so far.
Awards
A three-star recruit at linebacker for Illinois -- now graded to hold down a real role in the linebacker room.
He hasn't recorded a college stat yet. Here's what we know about him.
Grades highest in pursuit and hit power.
Illinois has produced 1 All-Conference linebackers.
How he plays
2026 Outlook
Illinois
2026 Depth chart
Projected starter
Linebacker · Illinois
Returning around him
- 3 Illinois players drafted to NFL
- Transfer portal: -7 net (20 in / 27 out)
2026 Award watch
No preseason watch lists yet (most drop June 15 – July 15)
Illinois · Last season: 9-4 (AP #23) · Talent rank #51 · 2026 recruiting class #24
Background
2025 - Illinois Did not play in a game and redshirted High School Four-star recruit by ESPN Three-star recruit by 247Sports, On3, and Rivals Position ranks: #46 (ESPN), #90 (247Sports), #132 (On3) State of Ohio ranks: #14 (ESPN), #32 (Rivals), #55 (247Sports), #59 (On3) Played for head coach Anth...
The linebacker corps · Illinois
- #45Robert Edmonson47 tackles · 2025
- #24William Holmes45 tackles · 2025
- #10James Kreutz30 tackles · 2025
- #4Daniel Brown11 tackles · 2025
- #34Erik Gayleno box-score line yet
10 more on the roster · Illinois team page