Illinois lands On3 4-star safety Kaedyn Cobbs

Illinois continued its red-hot start to the 2026 recruiting class on Friday, adding a commitment from four-star Denton (Texas) Guyer safety Kaedyn Cobbs.

Cobbs chose the Illini over offers Nebraska, Oklahoma State, Buffalo and a handful of others. He visited the program in October for a game day trip and then recently hosted multiple Illini coaches — including head coach Bret Bielema — at his school.

GRATEFUL @DentonGuyer_FB

🙏🏽@ReedHeim @kylekeese @mike_gallegos16 @PTRockTraining @FlightSkillz @adamgorney @SportsDayHS @JWerner247 @GPowersScout @dctf @MikeRoach247 @NextLevelD1 @UANextFootball@TFloss32 @ChadSimmons_ @MaxPreps @jason_howell @Marchen44 @PrepRedzoneTX… pic.twitter.com/8jszZkahid

— Kaedyn Cobbs (@Kaedyn43) February 7, 2025

The 6-foot-1, 190-pounder is the No. 388 overall prospect and No. 34 safety in the 2026 class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

However, On3 is much higher on him than the other services. In the most recent On300 rankings, he was tabbed as the nation’s No. 224 recruit and No. 16 safety.

He becomes the ninth member of the Illini’s 2026 class, which currently ranks No. 17 nationally in the On3 Industry Football Team Recruiting Rankings. That comes on the heels of a cycle where they finished No. 44 despite one of their best seasons in recent memory on the field.

But the momentum coming off their 10-3 campaign is palpable on the trail right now. Cobbs’ pledge is the third four-star commitment in the first week of February alone. Eight of Illinois’ nine commitments have come since January 1.