Just in case the Illinois football offseason hype train couldn't get any wilder, it did Monday when On3's Andy Staples dropped his brand-new way-too-early College Football Playoff with the Illini included.

Illinois football continues its productive recruiting offseason. The Illini landed the highest-ranked prep recruit of the Bret Bielema era over the weekend when four-star defensive back Victor Singleton announced his commitment.

Illinois coach Bret Bielema is feeling great. The Illini are coming off their first 10-win season since 2001. A junior day over the weekend had more than a dozen of the top local prospects on campus.

Illinois football fans are well aware of coach Bret Bielema's feistiness and competitive nature on the field and in the forums – whether that's defending his club in front of a press conference throng or pushing back on a social-media slight.

From visits to Dunlap High School to watch top in-state and No. 3 national tight end prospect Mack Sutter star on the basketball court to trips down to Florida to land three of five pledges, including three-star quarterback Michael Clayton, Bielema has done anything but rest thus far this offseason.