2026 Illinois Preseason MaxPreps Top 25 high school football rankings

Chicago Mt. Carmel is the early No. 1 after winning state and going 14-0 in 2025.

Thumbnail image of this articles writer: Thomas Frey
By
Aug 3, 2026, 12:00pm
State champion Chicago Mt. Carmel (Chicago) enters 2026 as the top-ranked team in the MaxPreps preseason top 25 for Illinois.

The Caravan defeated Oswego 20-3 to capture the IHSA state championship. Four-star senior linebacker Roman Igwebuike returns after helping the squad go undefeated.

Other players to watch from the Prairie State this season include five-star seniors David Folorunsho of St. Patrick (Chicago) and Israel Abrams of Montini Catholic (Lombard).

Reigning Illinois state champions include Brother Rice (Chicago) in Class 7A, Fenwick (Oak Park) in Class 6A, St. Francis (Wheaton) in Class 5A, Montini Catholic (Lombard) in Class 4A, Byron in Class 3A, Wilmington in Class 2A and Lena-Winslow (Lena) in Class 1A.
Chicago Mt. Carmel defensive tackle Caleb Tucker helped anchor a Caravan defense as a sophomore for a squad that went 14-0 and won a state title. (PHOTO: Chris Johns)
Chicago Mt. Carmel defensive tackle Caleb Tucker helped anchor a Caravan defense as a sophomore for a squad that went 14-0 and won a state title. (PHOTO: Chris Johns)
MaxPreps Preseason Illinois Top 251. Chicago Mt. Carmel (Chicago), 14-0 in 2025
2. East St. Louis, 9-4
3. Brother Rice (Chicago), 13-1
4. Nazareth Academy (LaGrange Park), 11-2
5. Loyola Academy (Wilmette), 4-5
6. Montini Catholic (Lombard), 14-0
7. Lincoln-Way East (Frankfort), 9-3
8. Fenwick (Oak Park), 11-3
9. Batavia, 10-3
10. St. Rita (Chicago), 9-5
11. Byron, 14-0
12. Carmel (Mundelein), 8-3
13. Maine South (Park Ridge), 10-2
14. St. Francis (Wheaton), 11-3
15. IC Catholic Prep (Elmhurst), 8-4
16. Providence Catholic (New Lenox), 10-4
17. Marist (Chicago), 4-5
18. St. Charles North (St. Charles), 10-2
19. Barrington, 10-2
20. Downers Grove North (Downers Grove), 10-3
21. Glenbard West (Glen Ellyn), 9-2
22. Joliet Catholic (Joliet), 4-6
23. York (Elmhurst), 6-4
24. Morris, 11-2
25. Lockport, 9-4

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