‘Edgy’ Tim: What to expect from area football recruits on signing day
Wednesday marks the start of the early signing period for football recruits in the Class of 2026.
The early signing period is one of two signing day events (the other being the more traditional first Wednesday in February). Here is my look at the top 10 area names expected to ink college decisions on Wednesday.
Palatine OL Tony Balanganayi
Balanganayi (6-foot-4, 270 pounds), a three-star ranked recruit by Rivals.com, was another impressive two-way starting lineman for the Pirates. Balanganayi, who verbally committed to Illinois in April, was recruited by the Fighting Illini as an interior offensive lineman. His Power Four scholarship offer list includes Auburn, Miami, Nebraska, Michigan, Kentucky and Louisville.
Barrington OL Owen Fors
Fors (6-4, 280 pounds) showed his versatility as a two-way starter this season. Fors was recruited to play on the interior offensive line for Northwestern and gave the Wildcats his verbal commitment in June. He drew 15 Division I offers and had strong interest from Michigan State, Kansas, Iowa State. Boston College and Cincinnati.
Naperville North DT Gabe Hill
Hill (6 — 1. 290 pounds), a four-star ranked defensive tackle, is expected to sign Wednesday with Indiana. Hill, who gave the Hoosiers his verbal commitment in May, drew offers from 15 Division I programs including Notre Dame, Illinois, Iowa, Purdue and Tennessee.
South Elgin TE Gavin Mueller
Ranked as a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, Mueller's recruiting has been like watching a rocket ship take off. Mueller (6-6, 250 pounds), who didn't begin playing high school football until his sophomore year while attending St. Francis, drew multiple Power Four offers after taking part in an area showcase event. Mueller had been verbally committed to Colorado early on in the process, but flipped his decision in November after taking an official visit to Miami, Fla.
Downers Grove North QB Owen Lansu
Lansu (6-2, 180 pounds), who has been verbally committed to Minnesota since 2024, will lock in with the Gophers on Wednesday. Lansu drew offers from Northwestern, Cincinnati, Notre Dame and several Mid American Conference schools.
Fremd QB Johnny O'Brien
O'Brien (6-3, 200 pounds), a three-star ranked quarterback, has been committed to Northwestern since June. O'Brien led Fremd to the Class 8A semifinal round for the first time in program history this fall. He drew late recruiting looks from multiple Power Four programs this fall. However, he is all set to sign with the Wildcats on Wednesday.
St. Charles North WR Keaton Reinke
Reinke (6-3, 205 pounds), a three-star ranked recruit, has been committed to Northwestern since June. Reinke, who played receiver and safety in 2025, also had offers from Iowa, Minnesota, Stanford and multiple MAC schools. Reinke was one of the top overall two-way starters I saw live in 2025.
Hinsdale Central OL Gene Riordan
Riordan (6-5, 275 pounds), a four-star ranked interior offensive linemen, verbally committed to Iowa in April. Riordan also had offers from Oklahoma, Illinois, Penn State, Auburn, Minnesota, Louisville, Kansas, Iowa State, Boston College, Georgia Tech, West Virginia, NC State, Northwestern, Virginia, Kansas State, Marshall, San Diego State, Miami (Ohio) and Western Michigan.
Downers Grove North TE Will Vala
Vala (6-3, 225 pounds), a three-star ranked recruit who has been committed to Illinois since June, was another versatile two-way starter this season. Vala had 22 Division I offers to chose from including Kentucky, Purdue and several MAC schools.
St. Francis WR Zachary Washington
Washington (6-2, 180 pounds), a three-star ranked recruit, is verbally committed to Michigan State. Washington gave the Spartans his verbal commitment in June after considering offers from the likes of Wisconsin, West Virginia, Ole Miss, Missouri, Miami, Fla., Illinois and Indiana.