Nathan Knapik
Sophomore offensive lineman on Illinois's 2026 roster. No game stats recorded yet.
6′7″ · 300 lb · Kennewick, WA · Kennewick
The story
2 offensive lineman on Illinois's roster. No game stats recorded yet.
- Transferred from Idaho to Illinois in 2025.
Nathan Knapik
Idaho to Illinois — the move that set up everything since.
Low coverage — composed from the verified record.
- portal record
His career
2025
- Entered the portal
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
Nathan Knapik plays offensive line for Illinois.
Offensive line play doesn't show up in a box score. Here's what actually tells you whether he's good.
Illinois has produced 5 All-Conference offensive linemen and 1 All-American. 7 have gone on to the NFL Draft since 2016. Alex Palczewski was one of them, an All-American.
How he plays
2026 Outlook
Illinois
2026 Depth chart
Projected starter
Offensive line · Illinois
Returning around him
- 21% of 2024 offensive production back (Heavy turnover)
- 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
Pronunciation: kuh-NAP-ick 2025 - Illinois Played in four games with one start at left tackle First career start at left tackle in the Music City Bowl victory over #23 Tennessee (12/30/25) 2024 - Idaho Played in five games and redshirted the season High School Two-time all-conference first team o...