Grant was the No. 18 prospect in the state of Illinois, according to 247Sports.
CHAMPAIGN — Illinois freshman wide receiver Davon Grant is no longer a member of the Fighting Illini football team after being unable to receive medical clearance, head coach Bret Bielema announced Monday at the start of fall camp.
Grant, part of Illinois’ 2025 recruiting class, was one of six freshman wide receivers brought into the program. The DeKalb, Ill., native ranked as the state’s No. 18 overall prospect and the No. 665 player nationally in the 247Sports Composite rankings.
Bielema said the issue became apparent after Grant arrived on campus and ultimately prevented him from continuing his football career with the Illini.
“Unfortunately, once he got here, he was a guy who had some things medically that we just never, ever were able to clear the hurdle on that one,” Bielema said. “He’s kind of in a holding pattern now. He won’t be able to play for us here at Illinois. There are a couple things in front of him that I think he’s going to stay here, go to school, take a medical, but some things still to work through in that regard. Super disappointed for him. It was a lot of conversation with him and his folks and medical people. Ultimately, bottom line, the safety for our players is the No. 1 priority. We’ve got to kind of work through those moments.”
The 6-foot-4, 220-pound receiver was considered a significant in-state recruiting pickup for Illinois. During his career at DeKalb High School, Grant established school records with 153 receptions and 2,711 receiving yards while catching 21 touchdown passes. He also held scholarship offers from Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.
Illinois has since added depth at wide receiver by moving former quarterback Jershaun Newton to the position. The Illini also welcomed Prospect High School standout Nate Cichy during the summer, along with spring enrollees Leslie Mosley and Jacob Harvey from the 2026 recruiting class.
Bielema added that Grant has returned home for now and is completing his coursework remotely.
“Davon went home right about the time we made these conversations,” Bielema said. “All of his classes were online. We’re really kind of a work in progress until we start back in class. I’d love to have him around, but I understand sometimes these guys in these situations remove themselves a little bit and sometimes come back into it. We definitely expressed to him we’re here for him in any way.”
Bielema also provided updates on several injured players. Linebacker Jaylen Stewart recently underwent hip surgery and is expected to miss the entire 2026 season. He also reaffirmed that junior tight end Tanner Hollinger, sophomore tight end Grant Smith, sophomore linebacker Erik Gayle, and sophomore defensive lineman Cam Brooks will all be sidelined for the season because of injuries.
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