In the mega-expanded Big Ten, having an elite mind on the sidelines is the ultimate difference between contending for a national championship and scrambling for bowl eligibility. USA Today ran a comprehensive audit to rank every single Big Ten head coach heading into the 2026 season. From Curt Cignetti crowning an incredible national title run in Bloomington to top Ryan Day and Dan Lanning, to blockbuster moves like Kyle Whittingham taking over Michigan and Matt Campbell landing at Penn State, we break down the entire 18-team hierarchy. Check out our complete tactical breakdown to see where your favorite team's head coach lands entering 2026.

USA Today's Big Ten College Football Head Coaches Ranked 1-18: Going Into Week 9

USA Today's Preseason Big Ten Quarterback Rankings: Stats Going Into Week 9

Ranking The Top 30 College Quarterbacks Right Now: Going into Week 9

ESPN Predicts Final Record for All 18 Big Ten Teams Right Now: Going Into Week 9

Dan Lanning&#039;s quarterback gamble nearly sank Oregon last week. With Dylan Rayola now starting, Illinois +10 is the pick as Oregon faces a tough road test.

Oregon vs. Illinois Betting Pick: Take the Illini +10

Ranking the Top 10 Most Disappointing College Football Teams Going Into Week 8

Ranking the Top 10 Potential Upsets for College Football Week 8

College Football Week 6 Best Bets: 6 B1GBets Big Ten Expert Picks

LATEST CJ Bufkin NEWS

Jayden Maiava is an 88-1 Heisman long shot, but wins over Ohio State, Indiana, and UCLA could boost his stock as USC navigates a brutal late-season schedule.

Jayden Maiava’s USC Heisman Odds Face Tough Upcoming Tests

Despite losing Julian Sayin, Ohio State remains a top national title contender as betting markets weigh its deep roster against a chaotic field of rivals.

Ohio State Title Odds Stay High Amid Quarterback Chaos

Larry Fitzgerald and Jaxon Smith-Njigba compare Jeremiah Smith to elite receiver legends, while Ohio State&#039;s young pass catchers build momentum this season.

Jeremiah Smith Draws Praise From NFL Receiver Legends

Jeremiah Smith leads the Heisman race, but Trinidad Chambliss and Darian Mensah could surge as College Football&#039;s pivotal November games quickly approach.

2026-27 Heisman Race: Jeremiah Smith Leads Top Contenders

LATEST VIDEOS

View the profile of Illinois Fighting Illini DB CJ Bufkin on SportsGrid. Get the latest news, stats, player prop picks, related players, and more on SportsGrid.com.

description

keywords

twitter:card

CJ Bufkin | Illinois Fighting Illini | DB | SportsGrid.com

twitter:title

twitter:description

https://app.sportsgrid.com/assets/images/og-logo_640x334.png

twitter:image

google

og:locale

og:site_name

og:type

og:title

og:description

og:image

og:image:type

og:image:width

og:image:height

og:image:secure_url

article:published_time

article:modified_time

LATEST CJ Bufkin

HT/WT

Birthplace

Class

#32 · ILL · DB

CJ Bufkin

CJ Bufkin BIO

Kaden Feagin

Shawn Miller

Sam Tsagalis

Brandon Hansen

Tahveon Nicholson

Kirkland Michaux

Chase Canada

Jeremiah Warren

Zachary Tobe

Saboor Karriem

CJ Bufkin is a DB for the Illinois Fighting Illini in the NCAAF.

Illinois Fighting Illini

NCAAF

Predicting the 8 NFL Division Winners Right Now: Going Into Week 8

Ranking the Top 10 Potential Upsets for College Football Week 9

Ranking the 10 Most Overrated Teams in College Football Right Now (Week 9)

Hughes Brothers too much for the Golden Knights

Ranking The Top 5 Potential Upsets For NFL Week 8

5 Bold Predictions for College Football Ahead of Week 9

Predicting the 14-Team NFL Playoff Field Going Into Week 8

HEADLINES

Pat Murphy Built the Brewers' World Series Culture

Carolina Panthers' Loss Raises Doubts After DC Firing

Michael King Could Cash In on a Weak Free-Agent Class

Why the Tampa Bay Rays Remain World Series Contenders

MLB Free Agency Rumors: Trades, Signings and Stars

Vikings’ 6-0 Start Faces Major Test Against Detroit Lions

Chargers Poised to Improve After Bye Against the Rams

Chiefs vs. Broncos Preview: Mahomes Faces Denver Test

TST Images: Vegas Golden Knights defeated by New Jersey Devils, 5-2, at T-Mobile Arena

Ranking the 15 Worst NHL Free Agency Signings of the 2026 Offseason

Kings&#39; overtime coaching overhaul leads to dramatic win over Senators

TST Images: Kings defeat Senators, 6-5, in Los Angeles

NBA Showdown: New York vs. Philadelphia - Key Players & Odds!

Lakers at Warriors: What to watch in the Bay

TST Best Bets: October 30, 2026

JJ Redick Faces a Defining Year as Lakers Head Coach

2026-27 College Basketball Title Odds: Florida, UConn and More

TST Images: SDSU defeat Long Beach State, 92-67, at Viejas Arena

Aztecs close exhibition slate, get full team involved to run past Long Beach State

Ranking the Top 20 Players in College Basketball Right Now

NCAAB

Liga MX Femenil Restructure Fuels Rivalries and Growth

Sophie Cunningham Responds to Caitlin Clark Bodyguard Label

Liverpool Upset Pick, Champions League Odds & Canelo News

Canelo and Mbilli make weight as the Riyadh fight stays on for Saturday

Florida vs. Georgia Preview: Betting the 56.5 Total

Miami Hurricanes Face UNC: Potential ACC Trap Game

Jets' Struggles: Herm Edwards' Insights on Coaching & Performance

Coaching QB Stars: Insights on Caleb Williams & Josh Allen

Packers Beat Panthers 27-19 as Jordan Love Shines at Lambeau

Chiefs vs. Broncos Prediction: Defense Favors the Under

MORE

Expert picks & analysis

Game Picks

Head-to-head breakdowns

Matchups

Powered by SportsGrid's projections

Player Props

Prediction Market HQ

Lamar Jackson on Track to Face Buffalo Bills

Gators vs. Georgia: Take the Points and Under

Anthony Edwards Knee Surgery Shakes Timberwolves

Heisman Race Highlights Historic Wide Receiver Trio

Can Miami Hurricanes Win the National Title?

SPORTSGRID SHORTS

Dodgers open as favorites to win 2027 World Series despite Brewers&#39; dominant championship season

Angels decline Kurt Suzuki’s managerial option

TST Best Bets: October 16, 2026

Dodgers&#39; historic three-peat dream is over, ending a golden era in Los Angeles

Potential Brewers vs. Rays World Series Odds & Predictions

Brewers replace Dodgers as World Series favorites after taking 2-0 NLCS lead

The Dynamics of a Potential Dodgers vs. Brewers NLCS

MLB Futures Ods: Updated Markets After Wildcard Rounds

World Series Game 5: Jacob Misiorowski Outs and MVP Picks

Rays Player Props: Back Caminero and Diaz in Game 4

World Series Hitter Props: Contreras & Turang Lines

Pitching Props: Jax & May Strikeout Unders Tonight

Milwaukee Brewers Make History: First World Series Win!

Underdogs Rise: Surprising Championship Wins in Sports Betting

How the Brewers' Elite Bullpen Fueled a World Series Run

Milwaukee Brewers Win First World Series Championship

Chargers vs. Rams preview, prediction and how to watch

5 NFL Teams That Should Be Worried Right Now: Going Into Week 8

Ranking the NFL's 15 Most-Likely Playoff Teams Right Now: Going Into Week 8

Teams better be ready to pay up if the Maxx Crosby sweepstakes kick off

ESPN Predicts the 14-Team NFL Playoff Field Right Now: Going Into Week 8

Cleveland Browns Playoff Odds: Bet the AFC North Run?

AFC North Betting: Sell Steelers, Trust Joe Burrow?

Why the Packers Are a Super Bowl Value Bet at 30-1

Chuba Hubbard Leads Top NFL Touchdown Scorer Picks

NFL Sunday Prop Bets: Bowers, Gordon, Douglas and Mason

Malik Washington Over 4.5 Receptions: Top Plus-Money Bet

Chiefs vs. Seahawks: Best Bets & Sunday Night Under

Lamar Jackson Returns for Ravens-Bills Betting Clash

Christian Watson's Ambulance Return Stuns NFL Fans

Aaron Rodgers Criticizes NFL International Game Travel

NFL Trade Talk: Analyzing the Jeffery Simmons Move

Sabres, Thompson hat trick continue Ducks home woes

Ducks blow 3-goal lead to cellar-dweller Canucks in &quot;terrible&quot; OT defeat

Hill comes to the rescue as Knights snap three-game skid

TST Images: Golden Knights defeat the Senators, 4-1, at T-Mobile Arena

2027 Stanley Cup Odds: Colorado, Vegas, and Edmonton Lead Pack

Conn Smythe Market Prices: Mitch Marner Heads to the Top

Stanley Cup Showdown: Vegas vs. Carolina for the Title

Carolina and Vegas Favorites for Stanley Cup Showdown

TST Best Bets: October 29, 2026

TST Best Bets: October 26, 2026

TST Best Bets: October 22, 2026

TST Best Bets: October 20, 2026

Cooper Black to Become Tallest Goalie in NHL History

Tkachuk Brothers Make NHL History on Wild Hockey Night

Edmonton Oilers Struggle Defensively, Lose to Canucks

2026-27 NHL Season Begins: Key Teams and Betting Tips

Ranking the 5 Most Overrated Teams in the NBA Right Now!

Clippers crumble against Lakers, drop third straight game

Lakers ride Collin Sexton’s spark to win over Clippers

Luka Doncic out against Clippers with back tightness

NBA Futures: Predictions for Top Teams and Players This Season

Spurs Lead in Western Conference Odds Over OKC & Denver

Celtics vs. Heat: Best Betting Value to Win NBA East

NBA Futures Analysis: OKC, Spurs, & Knicks Betting Odds Breakdown

TST Best Bets: October 28, 2026

TST Best Bets: October 27, 2026

TST Best Bets: October 21, 2026

Western Conference Odds: Minnesota Value and Lakers’ Hot Start

76ers, LeBron, & Knicks Face a Loaded Eastern Conference

Anthony Edwards' Knee Injury Raises NBA Fitness Concerns

OKC Injuries Crush Potential NBA Championship Hopes

Darius Acuff Jr. vs. Keaton Wagler: Early Impressions

Legendary Hawaii football coach June Jones dies at 73 after transforming Rainbow Warriors program

Matt Leinart to receive Roy Firestone Award at Westcoast Sports Associates&#39; annual benefit in Santa Monica

Ranking the Top 10 Most Disappointing College Football Teams Going Into Week 9

ESPN Predicts the Final Record For All 16 SEC Teams Right Now: Going Into Week 9

Heisman Trophy Top Five: Jeremiah Smith Leads the Race

Heisman Race: Star Receivers Challenge QB Tradition

Josh Hoover Passing Prop and Indiana-Michigan Best Bets

Ole Miss vs. Texas Picks: Back the Rebels in Austin

College Football Picks: Miami, Georgia and Top Props

Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith Now the Heisman Trophy Favorite

College Football Long Shots With Playoff Betting Value

Arch Manning's Texas Future Faces a Critical Test This Weekend

Lincoln Riley Faces Pressure as USC Takes on Ohio State

Arizona vs. Texas Tech: TTU's Playoff Hopes Under Pressure

For Pastner, Rebels, it&#39;s about a chemistry test

TST Images: UCLA Men&#39;s Basketball Media Day

UCLA sophomore Lena Bilić to miss 2026-27 season with ACL tear

Ranking the Top 20 5th-Year College Basketball Players Who Could Return for 2026

Most Outstanding Player Odds: Mara, Reed Lead the Pack

National Championship Odds: Michigan Leads, Arizona Trails Behind

National Championship Odds Analysis: Michigan Leads the Pack

National Championship Odds: Arizona and Michigan Lead the Pack

CJ Bufkin

#32 · ILL · DB

HT/WT

5’9”, 200 lbs

Birthplace

Chicago, IL, USA

Class

Senior

LATEST CJ Bufkin NEWS

EDITOR'S PICKS