# Illinois 2026 Freshmen Could Be Best Underwood Era Class

> Illinois' 2026 freshman class now largest since 2018, with depth and star potential.
- Title: Illinois 2026 Freshmen Could Be Best Underwood Era Class
- Summary: Illinois' 2026 freshman class now largest since 2018, with depth and star potential. Illinois' 2026 freshman class is the largest since Underwood's 2018…
- Keywords: illinois, freshman, brad underwood, ncaa, basketball, illini, recruiting, 2026, quintin coleman, zavier zens, lincoln williams, quinton mccoy
- Source: Illinois Fighting Illini On SI — https://si.com/college/illinois/basketball/is-illinois-freshman-class-best-brad-underwood-era
- Published: 2026-09-16T08:18:38+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: illinois, freshman, brad underwood, ncaa, basketball, illini, recruiting, 2026, quintin coleman, zavier zens, lincoln williams, quinton mccoy
## 2026 Class Initially Small
Illinois' 2026 recruiting class was expected to be small with Lucas Morillo, Ethan Brown, and Landon Davis as early leaders.
## Underwood Said Three Was Enough
Coach Brad Underwood stated three recruits were a solid number, suggesting the class was complete for 2026.
## Quentin Coleman Joins
Quentin Coleman, a five-star prospect from O'Fallon, Illinois, committed to Illinois on July 31, 2026.
## Zavier Zens Signs
Zavier Zens, a high-IQ player from Wisconsin, signed with Illinois in early June 2026.
## Lincoln Williams Adds Depth
Lincoln Williams, the top in-state prospect from Kankakee, Illinois, joined the class in early June 2026.
## Quinton McCoy Joins
Transfer Quentin McCoy recently joined the 2026 class, completing the roster.
## Largest Class Since 2018
Illinois now has the largest freshman class since Brad Underwood's 2018 tenure, with six players.
## Depth and Star Power
All six players are in rotation battles, with star potential including Quentin Coleman.
## Underwood's Confidence
Underwood stated he is pleased with the entire class, noting all players are ready to contribute.
## Star Potential
Quentin Coleman is the standout player, with another class member likely to join him in the spotlight.
## Depth Advantage
The class has depth, with all six players competing for rotation minutes on a team returning five key players.
## Underwood's View
Underwood believes the class is the best in his tenure, with no players expected to be lost in the summer.
## Key takeaway

Illinois' 2026 freshman class is the largest since Underwood's 2018 tenure, featuring depth and star potential.