While Brett Bielema’s squad prepares for Tennessee and the Music City Bowl, for six players, it will not be their final college game. Some will have a week or two to prepare, others a month. Here is who to watch and where to find them.
First up will be the Hula Bowl, played not in Hawaii as the name would suggest, but in DeLand, Florida. It will be January 10 at Spec Martin Memorial Stadium.
The Illini appearing there are Offensive Linemen Josh Gesky and Melvin Priestly.
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Melvin Priestly, 6’4”, 305-pound tackle, from St. Louis
Priestly came to Illinois via Grambling State in 2024. He received All-Big Ten Honorable mention (coaches).
footballcouchscout.com has him listed as the 25th best OT in college football.
He has 55 career starts between the two schools had 40 career starts at Illinois and 15 starts at Grambling State, including five as a true Freshman.
Many pro sources have him rated as an excellent run and even better pass blocker, but they still see him as at best a late-round possibility. He could, with a solid Bowl performance and a good showing at the Hula Bowl, move up a little bit and get him on more teams’ radars.
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Josh Gesky, 6’5”, 335-pound guard, from Manteno, IL
Gesky joined the Illini in 2021 and redshirted his freshman year.
A three-time All-Big Ten selection, 2023 Honorable Mention (Coaches and Media)
A FOUR-time Academic All-Big Ten 2022-2025
In a June interview, Bret Bielema described Gesky as the most improved player in the Spring. A quote from the coach says it all: “He was good last year, but I just think he is at a different level.” Scouts see him as a possible two-deep Guard on most NFL rosters. And consider him a late-round sleeper pick.
Gesky says his NFL Role Model is Zack Martin a nine-time pro bowler.
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Next is the East-West Shrine Game set for January 27th, 6 pm CT in Frisco, Texas, at Ford Center at the Star.
The lone Illini representative is:
James Thompson Jr., 6’6”, 310-pound- DL, from Cincinnati, and a transfer from Wisconsin.
Before arriving on campus, He was a 3-time Academic All-Big Ten (2021, 2022, 2023). He redshirted in 2024 and then transferred to Illinois. This past season, He not only was Academic All-Big Ten again, but added
All-Big Ten Honorable mention (Coaches and Media)
Scouts note his length, sturdy frame, and ability to use his lower-body strength and leverage to reach the Quarterback. Scouts like his technique and his high energy. He projects as a rotational interior defensive lineman, with early-down utility and situational pass-rushing capabilities.
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That brings us to the Senior Bowl January 31, 1:30 PM CT in Mobile, Alabama at Hancock Whitney Stadium.
The Ilini will be well represented here by QB Luke Altmyer, Edge rusher Gabe Jacas, and OL J C Davis.
Luke Altmyer, 6’2”, 215-pound QB from Starkville, Mississippi, transferred from Ole Miss.
Altmyer transferred from Ole Miss in 2023. His first year was rough and ended in injury.
Two-time All-Big Ten (2024 and 2025)
In 2024, he showed he was strong in the clutch with three game-winning TDs in the last two minutes of the ball game. (the only one in the country to do it) He was 34th in the nation in pass efficiency in the regular season, 144.9. He was in the top seven in TD (5th at 21), Passing yards (6th at 2,811), Completion % (6th at 68.1), and pass efficiency (7th at 157.1).
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This season he has seemed to take the next step with better passing accuracy and ability to move in and out of the pocket. He is projected as a solid NFL backup for pro-style West Coast offense teams, and could be a mid to late round sleeper pick with good showings in the Music City Bowl and Senior Bowl.
Gabe Jacas 6’3” 270-Pound LOB/Edge rusher from Port St. Lucie, Florida
He has had a storied career at Illinois, starting with earning All-American honors as a true Freshman from FWAA (Football Writers Association of America), ESPN, 247 Sports, and College Football News.
A three-time All-Big Ten selection; 2022 Honorable Mention (Media), 2024 Third Team (Coaches and Media), 2025 First Team (media) and Second Team (coaches and AP).
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2024 Phil Steele All-American 3rd team.
Many pro scouts like his size, quickness, and technique. They also like his strength and agility as a pass rusher, but they feel he needs to improve his run defense. He is projected as a 3rd round to be a solid backup with a starter upside.
J C Davis, 6’5”, 335-pound OT from Oakland, California. Transfer from New Mexico.
Two-time All-Big Ten
2024 3rd Team (Coaches) Honorable Mention (media)
2025 1st Team (Coaches), 2nd Team (Media), Honorable Mention (AP).
The Music City Bowl will be his 50th consecutive College start.
Scouts like his footwork, size, and overall strength and agility. The one concern is his ability against edge rushers, but he is still considered a starter in the NFL ultimately and could go between the 3rd and 5th rounds.
