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Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

August 10, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Good afternoon and we can welcome back Illini football practice reports for the first time in nine days.

For the first time since the evening of Aug. 1, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema authorized a media viewing portion of Saturday’s practice session. The media were allowed to witness nine minutes of individual drill work in practice and six minutes of team stretching so this report will be significant shorter due to the inability to witness a lot of what would be considered noteworthy work by Bielema’s squad. 

Bret Bielema’s injury report continues to get longer as the Illini complete its second week of preseason camp practice sessions. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

August 10, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The injury list is growing during the first week of August as Illinois continues through preseason practices. 

Illinois Athletics August 9, 2024 PERISTERI, Greece - Game two […]

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys & Big Sports Radio National Football Recruiting Expert

August 9, 2024

(Mike Farrell also has his own website: https://mikefarrellsports.com/)

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll have a couple of key 2026 updates and look at how the Illini rank at DB in the 2025 class versus the rest of the Big Ten.

The dream of Cole Rusk playing in a game for Illinois will need to wait another year as the transfer tight end suffers a knee injury before the first preseason scrimmage. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

August 9, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The most impactful element of Cole Rusk’s severely injured knee is likely to be felt by the people in his tight end meeting room that are still healthy for the upcoming 2024 season. 

 Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

August 8, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, IL – The Illinois men's basketball program has a long history of connections with two areas in the state: Peoria and Simeon in Chicago.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Recruiting Director

August 8, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, IL — Illinois football suffered a significant blow with the news that tight end Cole Rusk, a highly anticipated transfer from Murray State, will miss the entire upcoming season due to a knee injury. The former Rock Island standout, who was expected to compete for a starting role, confirmed the unfortunate news on his social media page on Tuesday.

Illinois unveiled the uniforms and helmets that will be […]

Illinois trying to find more positional flexibility in their wide receiver room as they look to replace two departing starters from the 2023 squad.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

August 7, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — When Justin Stepp goes to the whiteboard in his wide receiver meeting room, there’s a particular reason he’s drawing two or three circles depending on the particular formation.

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys & Big Sports Radio National Football Recruiting Expert

August 6, 2024

(Mike Farrell also has his own website: https://mikefarrellsports.com/)

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at a top 2026 target and 2025 potential flip.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

August 6, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, IL – As the college football season gets underway, Illinois fans are already buzzing about the upcoming basketball season, thanks to an exciting new addition to the team. The Illinois basketball program has a roster of many new stars, many of whom are yet to play a single game. Among these rising talents is Kasparas Jakucionis, a 6-foot-6 combo guard from Vilnius, Lithuania.

The concept of ‘complimentary football’ is about as unsexy a term in the sport but Bret Bielema is determined to bring that concept to the forefront of what the Illini program is and will be. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

August 5, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Just like every offseason, which truthfully gets shorter and shorter due to the recruiting realities of the sport, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema conducts a vigorous self-scout of his football program. 

Illinois third-year safety Matthew Bailey doesn’t have the playing experience to account for the talk of his importance to the Illini’s defense but don’t tell that to his coaches and teammates.

August 5, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The responsibility being hoisted upon Matthew Bailey inside and outside the Smith Family Football Complex is not parallel to a player who has experienced just one start, missed nearly the entire 2023 season and has only one start in his college football career. 

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

August 5, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Late last week, Illinois hosted 6-foot-9 wing Spencer Ahrens, a promising prospect from Canada. Although the Illini did not secure a commitment, they made significant progress in their recruitment efforts.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

August 4, 2024

Champaign, IL – The Illinois women's basketball team is preparing for a foreign tour of Italy and Greece from August 2-12. This is the first overseas trip for Illinois since head coach Shauna Green took over three years ago.