Matthew Bailey

DB · #7 · Illinois · 5TH · 6'2" · 225 · Moline, IL

Projected SS starter

15 2026 tackles

0 · 1 2026 sacks · TFL

2 2026 INT + PD

45 Career games (33 starts)

Career

Season	Team	GP	GS	Tackles	TFL	INT	PD	FF
2026	Illinois	6	6	15	1	1	1	0
2025	Illinois	12	12	76	4	0	0	2
2024	Illinois	13	13	95	1	1	1	2
2023	Illinois	1	1	5	0	0	0	0
2022	Illinois	13	1	9	0	3	3	0

Tackles per game 2.5 64

Havoc plays 1 68

INT + pass breakups 2 72

Forced fumbles 0 0

Explosive rate allowed 11.0% 49

Line yards per carry allowed 3.0 14

Sack rate 2.7% 9

Week	Opponent	Tkl	TFL	INT	PD
W1	UAB	6
W3	Southern Illinois Salukis	1		1	1
W4	@ OSU	3	1

Weeks with a recorded defensive stat.

2022 class · 247 composite

Three-star high school recruit

The 2022 board

#1769 Quinton Henry WR · Bradford WKU

#1769

Carl Fauntroy S · Spanish Fort UAB

#1774

Matthew Bailey S · Moline ILL

#1783 Peter Zamora QB · Westside MRSH

#1783

Jordan Dwyer WR · Puyallup

Ss in the class

#124

#125

Carl Fauntroy Spanish Fort UAB

#126

Matthew Bailey Moline ILL

#128 Montarious Reed Newton

#129 Isaiah Holland Valdosta GAST

2026 · 68th pctile of DBs

Recruit · 33th pctile of class

Playing well above the recruiting profile.