University of Illinois Springfield head coach Colin Wood and assistant coach Jim Klein have announced the inaugural recruiting class for UIS flag football. The program's first class has spent its first days on campus as the Prairie Stars prepare for their inaugural season in spring 2027.

"I'm extremely excited to begin this journey with our inaugural class for flag football. The passion, competitiveness and leadership this group encompasses will drive the program forward for many years. They hold the responsibility to build a championship culture and commit to the processes necessary for us to reach our collective goals," said Wood.

Ninel Alvarez | QB/WR | Montgomery, Ill. | East Aurora HS

Alvarez joins the Prairie Stars after a successful career at East Aurora High School, where she served as a team captain and led the team in both touchdowns and offensive yards. An Academic All-Conference selection, Alvarez combines leadership, versatility and a strong commitment to excellence on the field and in the classroom. She will also serve on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) for the program.

Brianna Amedio | LB | McHenry, Ill. | McHenry Community HS

Amedio joins the Prairie Stars after a dominant defensive career at McHenry Community High School. The All-Conference linebacker recorded 144 flag pulls, including 20 for loss, while adding 10 sacks and 10 interceptions. A disruptive playmaker with a knack for creating turnovers, Amedio brings toughness and a relentless defensive presence to the UIS flag football program.

Justyce Bills | WR/LB | Spring Grove, Ill. | Round Lake HS

Bills joins the Prairie Stars following an outstanding two-way career at Round Lake High School. A two-time All-Conference selection, she helped lead her team to a regional championship while totaling 1,084 career offensive yards, 11 touchdowns, 210 flag pulls and 13 interceptions. As a senior, Bills recorded 497 receiving yards on 28 receptions with eight touchdowns, added 75 rushing yards and finished with 116 flag pulls, displaying her ability to make an impact on both sides of the ball.

Londyn Clemons | RB | Joliet, Ill. | Joliet West HS

Clemons joins the Prairie Stars as the program's first-ever signee after an outstanding career at Joliet West High School. In her senior season, she rushed for 3,003 yards, ranking No. 1 in Illinois, while averaging 143 yards per game (No. 3) and scoring 25 rushing touchdowns (No. 5). A 2025 All-State selection and All-Conference Offensive MVP, Clemons helped lead Joliet West to a conference championship.

Briana Fields-Davis | DB/WR/QB | Chicago, Ill. | Jones College Prep

Fields-Davis joins the Prairie Stars as a versatile playmaker following a standout career at Jones College Prep. Throughout her career, she accounted for 1,498 passing yards and 16 passing touchdowns while adding 735 receiving yards and 247 rushing yards on offense. Defensively, she contributed 47 flag pulls, 15 passes defended and an interception, highlighting her ability to impact the game in all phases.

Ava Fitzsimmons | LB | Machesney Park, Ill. | Harlem HS

Fitzsimmons joins the Prairie Stars after a standout career at Harlem High School, where she helped lead her team to a regional championship. A two-time All-Conference selection, she totaled 170 tackles, 21 sacks and two interceptions over two seasons while adding three career touchdowns. Known for her relentless pursuit to the football, Fitzsimmons brings a strong defensive presence to the UIS flag football program.

Myia Harris | CB | Bolingbrook, Ill. | Bolingbrook HS

Harris joins the Prairie Stars after an impressive career at Bolingbrook High School, where she served as a team captain and earned All-Conference honors her senior season. A standout defensive back, she finished her career with 146 flag pulls, eight interceptions and 12 passes defended. During her senior season, Harris recorded 97 flag pulls, seven interceptions and nine passes defended, highlighting her ability to consistently make game-changing plays in the secondary.

Aniya Holt | Rusher | Chicago, Ill. | King College Prep

Holt joins the Prairie Stars following a successful career at King College Prep, where she served as a team captain and helped lead the Jaguars to a City League Championship while finishing the 2025 season ranked No. 5 in Illinois. A disruptive pass rusher, Holt recorded 26 flag pulls, 11 sacks and a pass defended. Her leadership, motor and ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks make her a valuable addition to the UIS defense.

Lyla Hope | QB | Naperville, Ill. | Naperville Central HS

Hope joins the Prairie Stars after an exceptional career at Naperville Central High School, where she helped lead her team to a regional championship. As her high school's Offensive Player of the Year, she finished her senior season ranked among Illinois' stat leaders with 4,960 passing yards (No. 4), 248 passing yards per game (No. 4) and 62 passing touchdowns (No. 3), while adding two rushing touchdowns and one receiving touchdown. A dynamic quarterback with elite production, Hope brings proven playmaking ability and leadership to the UIS offense.

Kayden Johnson | WR | DeKalb, Ill. | DeKalb HS

Johnson joins the Prairie Stars following her career at DeKalb High School, where she made an immediate impact as a top receiving target for the offense. In her first career game, Johnson found the end zone three times, showcasing her ability to create explosive plays and make an impact in the passing game. As the team leader in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns, her speed and ability to be a deep-ball threat will add another dynamic weapon to the UIS offense.

Madaline Loar | QB | Lake Villa, Ill. | Lakes Community HS

Loar joins the Prairie Stars following a decorated career at Lakes Community High School, where she helped lead her team to two conference championships. A two-time All-Conference selection and 2025 All-State honoree, Loar finished her career with 3,691 passing yards, 44 passing touchdowns and 612 rushing yards with 11 rushing touchdowns. Loar brings proven leadership, versatility and championship experience to the UIS program. She will also serve as a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) for the program.

Amanda Lopez | Rusher | Chicago, Ill. | Jones College Prep

Lopez joins the Prairie Stars following a dominant defensive career at Jones College Prep. A disruptive force on the defensive side of the ball, Lopez recorded 35 sacks, 68 flag pulls and a pass defended during her career. Her ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks and create stops in the backfield will be a key contribution to the program's defensive success.

Flora Louise | LB/RB | Champaign, Ill. | Centennial HS

Louise joins the Prairie Stars following an outstanding career at Centennial High School, where she earned All-Conference honors and served as a team captain. A versatile linebacker and running back, she led her team in flag pulls, sacks and passes defended while helping guide Centennial to a tournament championship in which the defense held all three opponent offenses scoreless. Louise brings proven leadership, defensive playmaking ability and a relentless competitive mindset to the UIS flag football program.

Mackenzie Mielke | CB/WR | Shorewood, Ill. | Joliet West HS

Mielke joins the Prairie Stars following an accomplished career at Joliet West High School, where she helped lead her team to a conference championship and earned All-Conference honors. A versatile two-way playmaker, Mielke recorded 63 tackles, eight interceptions and four passes defended on defense while adding 59 rushing yards and a touchdown on offense. Her ability to impact the game on both sides of the ball brings valuable versatility and playmaking ability to the UIS flag football program.

Jiharia Young | RB | Machesney Park, Ill. | Harlem HS

Young joins the Prairie Stars following a record-setting career at Harlem High School, where she helped lead her team to a regional championship. A two-time All-Conference selection and 2025 All-State honoree, Young totaled 3,539 career yards and 26 touchdowns, including 2,481 rushing yards, 18 rushing touchdowns, 122 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown. Named the 2025 Conference Offensive MVP, Young brings elite production and versatility to the UIS offense.

"Not only are we bringing in a great amount of talent, but we are bringing in tremendous people, and that will be critical to our success. I'm confident that the commitment and dedication of this group will give UIS and the Springfield community a team to be proud of," said Coach Klein.

The Prairie Stars will continue preparations for their inaugural season in spring 2027. A schedule announcement will follow at a later date.