Bielema Loves Talent in Illini Running Back Room
As preseason practice begins Monday evening, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema sees the personnel talent to get the Illinois running game back on track for success.
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
July 29, 2024
CHAMPAIGN — As Bret Bielema enters his 16th preseason camp as the head coach of a power conference program, the first consistency is always that the highest priority will always revolve around the running game.
Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Illinois One of Six Early Visits for Mikel Brown Jr.
Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting
July 29, 2024
Champaign, IL - Illini Nation has its eyes set on Mikel Brown Jr., one of the nation's top playmakers, as he announces the first six schools he plans to visit.
Ked's Recruiting Roundup - The Fighting Illini Women Already Pursuing Top Prep in 2026
Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting
July 28, 2024
Champaign, IL. - Shauna Green and her coaching staff are making significant strides in recruiting, positioning themselves to potentially land one of the nation's top five recruiting classes next year. The Illinois women's basketball program is in a strong position with three top 25 players in the 2025 class: guards Divine Bourrage from Davenport North, Destiny Jackson from Whitney Young, and 6-foot wing Taliyah Henderson from Salpointe Catholic High School in Arizona.
Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Update on Illinois Men's Basketball Recruiting
Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting
July 27, 2024
Champaign, IL. - When it comes to Illinois basketball recruiting, all eyes are on head coach Brad Underwood and his staff. With another outstanding team secured for the 2024-25 season, let's take a closer look at a couple of recruits involving Illinois.
Yorkville Native Jason Jakstys Fulfilling His Potential at Illinois
Kedric Prince, Director of Recruiting
July 27, 2024
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Amidst the buzz surrounding the new faces on the Illinois basketball team, one notable addition has largely gone unnoticed. Jason Jakstys, a 6-foot-10 stretch forward from Yorkville, is quietly making his mark.
Mercer Transfer Jake Davis Quietly Goes About His Business
Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting
July 26, 2024
Champaign, IL - Mercer transfer guard Jake Davis was the first prospect to commit to Illinois after their Elite Eight run this past season. Illinois head coach Brad Underwood and assistant coach Tyler Underwood saw the interest from Davis, reviewed extensive game footage, and promptly offered him a scholarship.
Terrance Brooks Selected Illinois Because of Three Letters: Not NIL, NFL
Brooks, arguably the most significant acquisition out of the transfer portal for Illinois in the Bret Bielema era, arrives in Champaign after needing a push from his NFL alum father.
Matthew Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
July 25, 2024
CHAMPAIGN — Terrance Brooks didn’t just imply or hint that he took less of a pay-for-play salary to sign with Illinois out of the transfer portal, he said the perceived quiet part out loud.
Newcomer Tre White to Play Significant Role in Illini Success
Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting
July 25, 2024
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois fans might feel a sense of déjà vu when they hear about Louisville transfer Tre White. Questions circulated early when he committed: Who is he? Where did this recruit come from? How can a player from a struggling Louisville team help us? Is this a reach for Coach Tim Anderson?
Illini Defense Success Riding On Rebound Season From Gabe Jacas
Illinois third year outside linebacker Gabe Jacas must find himself in offensive backfields in 2024 season.
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
July 24, 2024
INDIANAPOLIS — One year ago, Bret Bielema broke his long-standing rule of bringing non-seniors to the league’s media day because if he didn’t, the Illinois head coach knew Jer’Zhan Newton would be in professional football the following summer.
The Final Package Takes the Court
Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting
July 24, 2024
Champaign, IL - Illinois’ Tomislav Ivisic, a 7-foot, 230-pound freshman, is now with his future teammates. Ivisic, along with fellow freshman Morez Johnson, will be handling everything that comes to the paint this upcoming season.
How Long Did Purdue’s Ryan Walters Wait to Hire Andy Buh?: ‘About five minutes’
Purdue will have five former Illinois coaches on its staff when the Boilermakers play at Illinois on Oct. 12 at Memorial Stadium in Walters’ first return to Champaign.
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
July 23, 2024
INDIANAPOLIS — At 7:30 p.m. CST on Jan. 11, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema sent out of the media release confirming the firing of linebackers coach Andy Buh and cornerbacks coach Antonio Fenelus.
The Farrell Files Illinois - 2026 Notes & Comparing 2025 WRs to the B1G
Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys & Big Sports Radio National Football Recruiting Expert
July 23, 2024
(Mike Farrell also has his own website: https://mikefarrellsports.com/)
In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll have a few more 2026 notes and see how the 2025 WR group compares to the Big Ten. Hint: It’s not that bad.
NEWS: Bielema Adds Two Former Head Coaches to Illini’s 2024 Coaching Staff
Illinois fills final assistant/analyst roles for the upcoming 2024 season with the additions of Dana Dimel and Myers Hendrickson.
July 22, 2024
CHAMPAIGN — The final additions of Bret Bielema’s coaching staff for the upcoming 2024 season are former head coaches at the Division I level.
The Illini’s fourth-year head coach announced Monday the hiring of Dana Dimel as a senior offensive assistant and Myers Hendrickson as a senior analyst.
The Last but 'Big' Piece to Men's Basketball Arrives
Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting
July 22, 2024
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – After overcoming a few technical but common issues, Illinois' freshman center Tomislav Ivisic, a 7-foot-1, 230-pound jack of all trades, has finally made it to Champaign from Vodice, Croatia.
Ivisic, despite being a freshman, brings a unique skill set to the center position that Illinois has never had. Former All-American center Kofi Cockburn also stood at 7-foot-0 but weighed 300 pounds, using his sheer size to dominate opponents. Ivisic, however, will present a different look.
Illinois Football on Par with Other Big Ten Foes
Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting
July 22, 2024
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The Fighting Illini football team is just six weeks away from opening night at Memorial Stadium against the Eastern Illinois Panthers. While much of the off-season hype has surrounded the men’s and women’s basketball recruiting, head coach Bret Bielema and his staff have made significant strides in football recruitment as well.
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