Nick Hankins Jr. holds the LCB · Backup spot in Illinois Fighting Illini’s cornerback room. Where he sits among the room’s front-line roles:

Nick Hankins Jr. is a left cornerback for the Illinois Fighting Illini. The 6'0", 200-pound true freshman from Belleville, Illinois, attended Belleville West, where he earned four-star recruit status from multiple outlets and ranked No. 92 nationally by Rivals. At his position, he placed among the top 21 cornerbacks nationally and finished as the No. 2-ranked player in Illinois according to Rivals. A three-year letterwinner and 2025 IHSFCA 7A All-State First Team selection, Hankins also competed in basketball and earned All-Southwestern Conference honors. He received offers from 20 major programs including Auburn, Michigan State, Tennessee, and USC.

Illinois2026 — present