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Michigan State outscored No. 10 Illinois 23-8 from the […]

Brad Sturdy, IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular & Big Sports Radio Co-Host and Illini Uber-Insider

February 10, 2024

The Fighting Illini are on the road on Saturday in a road tilt that will likely determine whether they are a legit player for the Big Ten title. Illinois is ranked in the top 10 in the opening poll of February for the first time since Feb. 6, 2006, and the Illini sit one game behind Purdue in the loss column in 2nd place alone and will need a strong finish to catch the Boilers. It starts on Saturday at Michigan State against a desperate Spartan squad that needs this win if they want to continue their 25-year streak of NCAA tournament appearances. 

The Spartans have just 2 Quad 1 wins at the moment, and one will likely slide to a Quad 2, and have only at Purdue remaining as a Quad 1. Should they lose this game, they would have almost no margin for error down the stretch. 

Here are our keys and a pick:

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

February 10, 2024

Lincoln Williams, a 6-foot-5, 180-pound shooting guard from the class of 2026, who recently received a scholarship offer from Illinois, making this his first Power 5 offer.

Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst

February 9, 2024

Maybe its just me, but I get more excited about the yearly crop of PWO commits at the second signing day as they come in than I do about the first signing day. The reason is these guys are "free" and don't count against any of the scholarship limitations so you can take as many of them as you want. My excitement has intensified with these last two classes under Bielema though, because Coach Bert has made his grassroots recruiting campaign a priority and it has paid off especially well on guys like this. Last year's PWO crop was the best I'd ever seen.... until this year.

Here they are, in order of commitment:

New Illinois linebackers coach Archie McDaniel brings a vast amount of experience developing talent and recruiting prospects in the Lone Star State of Texas. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

February 9, 2024

CHAMPAIGN — Bret Bielema believes he has found a connection to Texas prospects in the form of his new linebackers coach hire. 

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

February 9, 2024

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at the new wide receiver hire (hint, it’s a good one) from a positional and recruiting aspect.

(From Illinois Sports Information Office) Media Box | YouTube […]

Stepp’s move to Illinois marks his first collegiate assistant job north of the Mason-Dixon Line after spending the last six years as a wide receivers coach in the Southeastern Conference. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

February 8, 2024

CHAMPAIGN — Justin Stepp gets to reunite with Barry Lunney Jr.’s offensive philosophy once again. 

Jamarion Batemon, 3-star recruit from Milwaukee Considering Illinois in His Top Three

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

February 8, 2024

In the world of college basketball recruiting, Jamarion Batemon, a 6-3, 170-pound combo guard from Milwaukee, WI, is making noise as a 2025 three-star recruit. He is currently attending the Milwaukee Academy of Science. Sunday, Batemon made his second unofficial visit to the University of Illinois. 

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

February 8, 2023

On Wednesday, Illinois signed a valuable addition to its football roster as three-star Kansas defensive back Tanner Heckel signed a national letter of intent. The 5-foot-11, 175-pound athlete hails from Lyndon (HS) in Kansas and is set to bring a diverse skill set to Illinois.

The outside linebackers coaching position is open at Illinois for the third time in four offseasons as Charlie Bullen leaves for the NFL’s New York Giants. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

February 7, 2024

CHAMPAIGN — Charlie Bullen’s time as a full-time position coach at the collegiate level lasted just 13 months. 

Shortly after Illinois head coach Bret Bielema completed a local media conference inside the Smith Family Football Complex, the New York Giants announced Charlie Bullen was leaving the Illini program after just one season for the same job title with the National Football League franchise.

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema hinted an enrollment problem popped up with three-star OLB/DE Josaiah Knight after he signed with Mississippi State Wednesday. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

February 7, 2024

CHAMPAIGN — Despite signing a National Letter-of-Intent and being introduced as an early enrollee a few weeks later, Josaiah Knight will not be a member of the University of Illinois football program. 

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

February 7, 2024

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at another late sleeper DB added by Bret Bielema just like last season.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

February 6, 2024

On Sunday, 4-Star prospect Steven Reynolds took in the Illini experience on gameday on an unofficial visit. South Bend, Indiana's Steven Reynolds, a 6-foot-5, 170-pound shooting guard from the class of 2026, recently experienced a game at the State Farm Center. On this unofficial visit, Reynolds witnessed an Illinois victory over the Nebraska Cornhuskers 87-84 in overtime on Sunday evening.

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

February 6th, 2024

Surprising development for the Fighting Illini football team, they secured a commitment for the class of 2024 from safety Tanner Heckel, a 5-foot-11, 175-pound talent hailing from Lyndon, Kansas, and Lyndon High School.