Illinois football has done its best to surround transfer and starting QB Katin Houser with the weapons he needs to be effective in arguably the nation’s best conference, the Big Ten, this season.
The Fighting Illini have compiled a roster that includes three highly productive wide receivers, Jayshon Platt, Collin Dixon, and Hudson Clement, along with a stacked tight ends room led by Christian Abney.
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On Thursday, news broke that head coach Bret Bielema has added another player to the Fighting Illini’s already loaded tight ends group from the University of San Diego, and he comes with plenty of experience and production to his name.
Oct 16, 2025; Greenville, North Carolina, USA; East Carolina Pirates quarterback Katin Houser(4) throws the ball against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane during the first half at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images
Bielema said that the Fighting Illini have added former University of San Diego Toreros tight end Peyton Smith to the team after a solid season on the West Coast, according to Champaign area reporter Glenn Kinley.
Smith had 21 catches and 155 yards last season for San Diego in the Pioneer Football League of the FCS.
A 6-foot-4, 240 pound senior, Smith hails from Rocklin, Calif. and has majored in Finance & Accounting. He has played in 38 games over the course of his career including five during his freshman season and 12 last season.
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Career-wise with the Toreros, Smith piled up 47 receptions for 386 yards and three touchdowns, earning All-Pioneer Football League honorable mention distinction in each of the last three seasons.
His Pro Football Focus grade was 74 last season in 457 snaps, including a 75 pass-blocking grade and 67.1 run-blocking grade.
Smith will almost certainly back up Abney, the expected starter at tight end, Devin Stoffel, a talented player who has battled injuries, and Kaden Feagin, a converted running back who has impressed in practice.
The Fighting Illini now have one of the deepest tight end groups in the country, stacked with players who have all caught several passes at the college football level.
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Houser’s wide receiver room also looks strong, especially after another recent transfer portal addition.
Smith is the second fifth-year transfer Bielema has added through the portal this offseason, joining Joshua Lorick, formerly of Incarnate Word.
Smith and Lorick haven’t played at anywhere near a Big Ten level yet but both will have a chance to watch and learn from their teammates and perhaps gain playing time during the non-conference schedule, which includes three games the Fighting Illini are expected to be favored in.
Houser will be counted on to deliver them the football in a timely fashion, and he has the accuracy to make it happen on a game-by-game basis.
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The Fighting Illini passing game continues to take shape under offensive coordinator Barry Lunney, Jr., and fans are expecting nothing less than fireworks this season now that the team’s roster composition is starting to become clearer.
