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By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

February 5th, 2024

Orland Park's Zach Barrett, a strong 6-foot-3, 270-pound offensive lineman from the class of 2024,  officially committed to the University of Illinois football program on Sunday as a preferred walk-on, one day after making a visit to camps. Barrett made the decision to join the Fighting Illini, citing the program's aggressive mentality and commitment to dominating opponents as key factors in his choice.

(Editor's note: IlliniGal Adalia McKenzie appears each week on […]

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

February 5, 2024

The Illini took a 10-point lead on a Terrence Shannon 3-pointer at 72-62 with 3:29 to play and Brad Underwood called a timeout to set his defense to prevent 3 pointers. 

“We just made a subtle change…” Underwood said. “It’s a downhill switch. We knew what was coming…we were gonna be OK with 2’s we just couldn’t give them 3’s. I called the timeout there, probably not a great decision because it maybe changed the momentum, but I still would have made the same call over and over again.”

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

February 5, 2023

Whitney Young Prep Harrysson Ngassa commits to Illinois Football as Preferred Walk-On.

On Sunday night, Coleman Hawkins finally got a matchup similar in stature and game and proved he was a more athletic, smarter and versatile center against Nebraska’s Rienk Mast. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

February 5, 2024

CHAMPAIGN — Victory for Coleman Hawkins on Sunday night wasn’t so much a sight but a distinct sound. 

By IlliniGuys Staff February 4, 2024 (Cover photo courtesy […]

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

February 4, 2024

The Illini welcome the Nebraska Cornhuskers to the State Farm Center on Sunday night as they look to take advantage of a 4-day prep and an upcoming 5-day prep after a grind of a start to Big Ten play. The Illini will be in a tie for 2nd place in the league following this one if they can pull out the win, just 1 game behind the Purdue/Wisconsin winner. As the Illini attempt to improve their NCAA seeding and fight for a Big Ten title, they need to take care of business at home starting on Sunday evening. 

Below are our keys and a pick. 

Setting the Stage

#14 Illinois (16-5, 7-3 B1G) vs. Nebraska (16-6, 6-5 B1G) 

Feb. 4, 2024 // 5:30 p.m. CT // Champaign, Ill. // State Farm Center 

TV: BTN – Dave Revsine (Play-by-Play), Robbie Hummel (Analyst) 

Radio: Busey Bank Illini Sports Network – Brian Barnhart (Play-By-Play), Deon Thomas

Notables

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

February 4, 2023

Fresh off their road win Wednesday night against the Michigan Wolverines the Fighting Illini 77-64 avenging a devastating loss at home 84-48. The very next day the staff went out looking for the next prospect. 

(Editor's note: Illini guard Marcus Domask appears each week […]

Illinois center Dain Dainja has been a little-used backup this season but Illinois head coach Brad Underwood is trying to find more ways for the Baylor transfer to contribute. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

February 4, 2023

CHAMPAIGN — The mission for Illinois head coach is as uncomplicated as you might think. 

As the calendar has flipped to the final two months of the season, Brad Underwood is convinced he needs to find more minutes for reserve center Dain Dainja. However, in order to accomplish this task, the tradeoff is taking one of his favorite and most versatile bigs, Coleman Hawkins, off the floor. 

Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst February 3, 2024 Illinois […]

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

February 3, 2024

Three-star lineman Darrin Strey, a 6-foot-7, 285-pound offensive tackle from Paw Paw, Michigan, recapped his visit with Illinois last weekend. The Illinois staff did a great job of bringing recruits on campus for junior day. 

Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst

February 2, 2024

Illinois has just shown that it has a type at quarterback, right? If you're a high three-star QB who's a good athlete but also has good but not great throwing ability, you should expect a call from the Illini because that is the type of player Barry Lunney, Jr. has targeted with all three of his quarterback choices so far.

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

February 2, 2024

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at some big-name guys that Bret Bielema is trying to hang in with.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

February 2, 2024

While Illinois's assistant coach Chester Frazier is helping lead the 14th-ranked Fighting Illini to victories, he is also a masterful recruiter which is the livelihood of any successful program.