Drake Leeper is in his fifth season on the Illinois staff in 2026 and his second 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.

Since his arrival in 2022, Leeper has helped the Illini to 32 victories, two bowl wins, and back-to-back seasons with 9+ wins for the first time in program history. Illinois has the fourth-most Power-4 wins (15) over the last two seasons among Big Ten teams, behind only Ohio State (21), Oregon (20), and Indiana (19) and the Illini are one of 15 Power-4 programs to win 9+ games in each of the last two seasons. Illinois finished ranked #16 in the nation in 2024 (AP/Coaches), followed by a #25 finish in 2025 (Coaches).

Illinois has seen huge improvements in recruiting results with Leeper on staff, including signing the top-rated class in program history. The Illini's 2026 class was ranked #21 in the nation by 247Sports, eclipsing the previous high of #22 in 2007 and 2008. 

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.