Illinois Secures Top Recruit in Quarterback Kamden Lopati for 2027 Class
Kamden Lopati, a standout quarterback from Salt Lake City (Utah) West, has committed to Illinois, giving coach Bret Bielema a key piece to build his 2027 recruiting class around.
After Illinois football saw a slight dip in the 2026 recruiting rankings, fans were starting to get concerned. However, coach Bielema delivered a major win for the future by securing Lopati, a four-star recruit, who announced his commitment on Sunday via his X (formerly Twitter) account.
Lopati, a 6-foot-3, 220-pound dual-threat quarterback, turned down offers from several major programs including Oregon, Washington, Purdue, Iowa State, Utah, and Arkansas. He is regarded as a well-rounded talent—boasting a strong arm, accuracy, and the ability to make plays with his legs.
During his sophomore year at Salt Lake City (Utah) West, Lopati threw for 3,050 yards, completing 67% of his passes with 25 touchdowns. He also rushed for 647 yards and 3 scores in 10 games. According to 247Sports, he is ranked as the No. 16 quarterback nationally and the No. 2 prospect from Utah in the 2027 class.
Lopati’s commitment is a major boost for Illinois, especially given the program’s past struggles to consistently land top-tier recruits. Bielema and his staff have been on a recruiting roll lately, but securing a highly sought-after quarterback from out of state is a huge statement for a team that previously had trouble attracting blue-chip talent from even nearby areas.
Though Illinois will need to hold off other programs hoping to flip Lopati in the future—especially since he won’t join the team until 2027—the Illini can certainly take a moment to celebrate a potential game-changing addition to their roster.
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