Scouting Report:
Rankings:
Six Illini who could change their NFL prospects this postseason (Melvin Priestly, 6’4”, 305-pound tackle, from St. Louis - Priestly came to Illinois via Grambling State in 2024. He received All-Big Ten Honorable mention (coaches). He has 55 career starts between the two schools had 40 career starts at Illinois and 15 starts at Grambling State, including five as a true Freshman. Many pro sources have him rated as an excellent run and even better pass blocker, but they still see him as at best a late-round possibility. He could, with a solid Bowl performance and a good showing at the Hula Bowl, move up a little bit and get him on more teams’ radars.) (12-23-25): https://www.thechampaignroom.com/illinois-fighting-illini-football-news/49093/illinois-offensive-line-dominated-in-loss-to-wisconsin
Illinois’ offensive line dominated in loss to Wisconsin (And to put a cherry on top of bad night for the Illini offensive line, right tackle Melvin Priestly was tossed from the game after two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. Illinois' Melvin Priestly has been ejected for hitting Wisconsin's Sebastian Cheeks in the face. As Wisconsin fans waved Priestly goodbye, Bielema pulled his senior lineman to the side. “I appreciate Melvin, there is probably nobody that has grown as much as him over the last two years,” Bielema said. “But when it gets hot, that is the composure you have to keep, that is what I was trying to express to him. Thankfully that is not an ejection that will cost him in the next game, but he really has to learn from that moment.”) (11-23-25): https://www.thechampaignroom.com/illinois-fighting-illini-football-news/49093/illinois-offensive-line-dominated-in-loss-to-wisconsin
College Football Week 10: Team of the Week, Player Awards (Big Ten Team of the Week - RT: Melvin Priestly, Illinois) (11-2-25): https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-week-10-team-of-the-week-player-awards-2025
Bret Bielema's words about Melvin Priestly will have fans holding back tears (10-2-25): https://writingillini.com/bret-bielemas-words-about-melvin-priestly-will-have-fans-holding-back-tears
Insider's 2026 NFL Draft stock watch: Risers and sliders after Week 5 games ft Chris Bell, Xavier Chaplin and more (Risers after Week 5 games - 2. Melvin Priestly/G/Illinois: It was a wild game that came down to the wire, as Illinois kicked a 41-yard field goal as time expired to beat USC by a score of 34-32. The Fighting Illini offense was dominant, combining for 502 yards, with 171 yards coming on the ground. The offensive line, led by Priestly, was paramount to the victory. A four-year starter who began his college career at Grambling, Priestly is one of the better kept secrets on the offensive line. He’s a powerful lineman who stands out blocking for the run, quickly getting off the snap and knocking opponents off the line to open the lanes. Priestly is intense, smart and gets the most out of his ability. Though he’s been a tackle throughout his entire college career, Priestly projects inside to guard on Sundays and will end up a late-round pick next April.) (9-29-25): https://www.sportskeeda.com/nfl/news-insider-s-2026-nfl-draft-stock-watch-risers-sliders-week-5-games-ft-chris-bell-xavier-chaplin
Where Illinois Football players could land in the 2026 NFL Draft (Melvin Priestly – Offensive Tackle: Another key piece on the offensive line, Melvin Priestly, brings size and physicality to the trenches. Still developing his consistency, Priestly has the upside to draw NFL attention as a late-round pick if he continues to refine his technique and footwork during the 2025 season.) (9-14-25): https://armchairillini.com/where-illinois-football-players-could-land-in-the-2026-nfl-draft/
Illinois Football Postgame Injury Report: Latest Update on the Offensive Line (In the first half against WIU, starting right tackle Melvin Priestly then went down, pausing the game for an extended period. But Priestly returned to the action shortly thereafter and finished on his feet, as the Illini ground out 209 rushing yards and three touchdowns – while ringing up Western for 440 total yards, 21 first downs and a 5-for-7 success rate in the red zone on their way to their highest single-game point total since 2018 (a 55-31 win over Minnesota). All's well that ends well, right? Illini coach Bret Bielema seemed to suggest in his postgame press conference that Priestly had rolled his ankle, said the medical staff "wrapped it up" and moved on. Assuming Davis is fine, Priestly is on the mend and the O-line stays healthy the rest of the way, great.) (8-30-25): https://www.si.com/college/illinois/football/illini-postgame-injury-report-offensive-line-week-1-2025
Illinois Football 2025 Scouting Report: Offensive Tackle Melvin Priestly (8-23-25): https://www.si.com/college/illinois/football/illinois-football-2025-scouting-report-melvin-priestly
A family affair for Illinois' Melvin Priestly (8-10-25): https://www.ksdk.com/video/sports/college/illini/a-family-affair-for-illinois-melvin-priestly/63-53143d91-5544-4ae4-906c-3c48a22c32de
Illinois football projected offensive depth chart for the 2025 season (Starter (RT) – Melvin Priestly
Melvin Priestly is going to be important for the 2025 season. He was the lowest-rated Illinois offensive lineman last season, so his development this offseason is crucial. Having Priestly locking down the right side of the offensive line is paramount for 2025.) (8-2-25): https://writingillini.com/illinois-football-projected-offensive-depth-chart-for-the-2025-season/5
Illinois players who are sleepers for the 2026 NFL Draft (Melvin Priestly – Offensive tackle: With offensive success comes notoriety. I expect Illinois’ offense to look good in 2025, and this will help someone like Melvin Priestly potentially get picked in the 2026 NFL Draft. Priestly wasn’t great in 2024, but he was decent for the Illini. He did stay on the field all season, starting every game. This was Priestly’s first season competing against the big boys, so next season should be much better. It wouldn’t shock me to see Priestly get picked next year.) (4-27-25): https://writingillini.com/illinois-players-who-are-sleepers-for-the-2026-nfl-draft
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