Illinois football has a fourth entrant into its playing time sweepstakes according to Barry Lunney, Jr.
The 2026 college football season is expected to start early next month and the Illinois Fighting Illini are going about the business of putting together a team that can go toe-to-toe with the Big Ten's best, including the Ohio State Buckeyes in week four.
Quarterback Katin Houser is expected to have a large number of targets to choose from in the passing game, including at tight end where at least three players, Christian Abney, Devin Stoffel, and Kaden Feagin, are expected to compete for playing time.
On Monday, offensive coordinator Barry Lunney, Jr. was given an opportunity to share his thoughts on the tight ends room, which includes outside contender for playing time, a freshman and hometown kid who is making things interesting in practice.
Oct 19, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Ball State Cardinals tight end Tanner Koziol (88) celebrates his touchdown with tight end and future Illinois transfer Christian Abney (87) against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the second half at FirstBank Stadium. Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images Lunney, Jr.: "(Will Vala is) Figuring it Out"
The Fighting Illini recruited 6-foot-3, 225 pound tight end Will Vala, Jr. out of Downers Grove North High School in Downers Grove, Illinois in hopes that he could become a building block for an offense in need of more depth at the position.
Vala, Jr. has exceeded the expectations of many so far, making himself an indispensable part of Lunney, Jr.'s tight ends group.
"Will Vala has really showed flashes in the spring," Lunney, Jr. said as shared by Glenn Kinley of WCIA-3 in Champaign, Ill.
"Will Vala is gonna be a really good football player, he's figuring it out, and we're trying to press him....He's going to be a guy we need over the course of the season," he added.
Vala was ranked as the nation's 13th-best tight end by ESPN out of high school and recorded 57 receptions for 851 yards and eight touchdowns last season.
A two-time all-conference player and multi-sport athlete (he also played baseball and basketball), Vala had offers from defending national champion Indiana along with Kentucky, Louisville, Purdue and Wisconsin.
Vala was also an all-state performer last year who is preparing to test his skills in front of a bigger audience in the Big Ten.
Across the Board Improvement
Lunney, Jr. added that he "feels good" about the tight ends group as a whole, acknowledging the skills and improvement of Abney, Stoffel and Feagin.
"Right now, we feel good about where we're at with those three, because they keep gettin' better. Christian (Abney) played a lot of football for us last year, Stoffel's the one that has not played as much, through injury or whatnot; missed some extended time there in spring but he's really trending in the right direction," Lunney, Jr. continued.
"So yeah, I feel good about where we're at from top to bottom, and all those guys will give everything they have to let us win and he'll (Vala) certainly get utilized."
The quartet brings a wide assortment of body types and skills with Abney the veteran, Stoffel the biggest of the three and Feagin the running back in a tight ends body.
Houser puts excellent touch on his passes and has had a chance to improve his leadership skills during practices this offseason.
How Lunney, Jr. and Houser utilize their tight ends' diverse skills could be the difference between another strong season and a less than acceptable outcome for coach Bret Bielema's team.
