Top-Ranked Defensive Back Recruit Decommits from Illinois
Victor Singleton, a four-star defensive back in the 2026 recruiting class, officially decommitted from Illinois on Saturday evening.
In the evolving landscape of college athletics, player autonomy is at an all-time high. As the bonds between athletes and their schools become more fluid, programs – and their fans – are often left in uncertainty.
Illinois experienced this firsthand when Singleton, a standout recruit for head coach Bret Bielema’s 2026 class, reversed his commitment and chose Texas A&M instead.
Singleton, a highly regarded recruit from Toledo, Ohio, initially committed to Illinois in early February and played a significant role in the Illini’s 2026 class, which is currently ranked No. 7 nationally by 247 Sports. However, after taking additional visits and engaging with other programs, he ultimately decided to make College Station his new home.
This type of recruiting movement has become increasingly common in today’s college sports environment. With NIL deals gaining prominence and athlete empowerment at the forefront, players are more mobile than ever. As of April 16, over 3,900 FBS players were in the transfer portal, setting a new record. Even athletes reportedly earning lucrative NIL deals—some upwards of $2 million—are still on the move, with Tennessee’s Nico Iamaleava being a notable example.
While losing a player of Singleton’s caliber is a setback for Illinois, Coach Bielema has a proven track record of developing elite defensive backs who weren’t highly ranked out of high school. Notable examples include three-star recruits Xavier Scott and Matthew Bailey, as well as current NFL Pro Bowl cornerback Devon Witherspoon, who was a zero-star recruit coming out of high school.
Though Singleton’s decision is disappointing, it’s not something Illinois can’t recover from. Bielema and his staff have consistently been able to identify and develop solid talent into top-tier players. No need for panic in Champaign.
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