Drake Leeper is in his fourth season on the Illinois staff in 2025 and his first as Director of Recruiting. He previously served as the Assistant Director of Personnel during the 2022 and 2023 seasons, and the Director of Scouting in 2024.

Leeper helped Illinois enjoy one of the best seasons in program history in 2024, a 10-win season that tied Illinois' single-season record for wins. Illinois was ranked by the CFP selection committee for a program-record four straight weeks, appeared in 12 AP Top 25 polls, and tied the program record for ranked wins with four. The Fighting Illini capped one of the best seasons in program history by beating #14 South Carolina in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, 21-17, in one of the top bowl game victories in Illinois history.

Leeper came to Champaign from Division II's McKendree University, where he was the linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator.

Leeper was with McKendree from 2018-21, starting as a graduate assistant with the running backs before moving to a full-time coaching role. Leeper arrived at McKendree after spending the 2017 season as the offensive and defensive line coach at Ottawa High School. There, he was responsible for installing the run and pass blocking schemes along with installing player improvement drills and managing the special teams unit. Leeper also gained valuable experience serving as an offensive coach for Don Beebe's House of Speed and with the Illinois Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

As a player, Leeper captured three consecutive state championships at Rochester High School from 2010-12. The Rockets' 2011 squad racked up the most total yards in Illinois High School Association (IHSA) history with nearly 6,800. A two-time All-Conference honoree, Leeper earned second-team All-State accolades in 2012.

Leeper played three seasons as a defensive lineman at St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa, and graduated with a bachelor's degree in physical education teaching in 2017. He finished a master's degree in education from McKendree in 2020.