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Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

July 18, 2023

Illini assistant coach Chester Frazier made a big impact with the Illini's newest recruit, so much so that a visit is in the works.

Illinois will be led by first-year special teams coordinator Robbie Discher where he’ll be involved in a unit that returns the kicker, punter and punt return. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

July 17, 2023

After being hired at Illinois, Bret Bielema’s first objective was to teach his new players how to use special teams to not lose games

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert

July 17, 2023

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll break down another of the early commitments and give my ranking on WR Tysean Griffin.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

July 16, 2023

Illinois football appears to be very successful in the Sunshine State recruiting.

Illinois defensive linemen Jer'Zhan Newton and Keith Randolph both represent Bret Bielema’s best recruiting job this winter as they return to Illini and will be at 2023 Big Ten Media Day. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

July 15, 2023

In the week leading up to a decision to come back to Illinois for a fourth season, both Keith Randolph and Jer'Zhan Newton agree they were on the phone with Illini head coach Bret Bielema, defensive coordinator Aaron Henry and most importantly, themselves. 

(Editor's Note: Bradley Locker and David Gold of Inside […]

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert

July 14, 2023

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll continue to break down the recent commits by looking at local DE Joe Barna and I’ll continue my own ratings for the class with RB Ca’lil Valentine.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

July 13, 2023

Chicago--Illinois women's 6-foot-6 basketball recruit Hayven Smith, already committed to Illinois, was on the big courts at the national EYBL Nike tournament held in the Windy City this past weekend.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

July 13, 2023

When you are over 3,000 miles away and live in Alaska, it is probably tough to be recruited to play in the Big Ten. Illinois fans, please meet Layla Hays, probably one of the best-hidden basketball prospects in the entire country.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

July 12, 2023

Chicago--Illinois recruit Divine Bourrage showed the entire country why she is one of the country's best players.

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert

July 12, 2023

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

It’s the dead period so in this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll continue to catch up on the recent commits and begin comparing my personal Illini commit rankings with those of the industry.

Pat Fitzgerald’s written response to his termination eliminated 17 seasons worth of goodwill ambassadorship. 

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

July 11, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Jeffrey Becker/USA Today Sports)

You might find this hard to believe but Northwestern University does actually provide an undergraduate course specifically in public relations communication. 

Yes, Comm Studies 261 - Introduction to Strategic Communication, is a one-unit course described to “explore the nature of the modern organization and the role of communication in it”. 

My suggestion is everybody involved in this ongoing hazing scandal surrounding Northwestern University, its athletics department and the football program might want to audit that class before they provide the public with any more mind-numbing proclamations.

There’s no doubt Northwestern president Michael Schill has bungled this ordeal from the moment of trying to do a 1960s style Friday evening news dump and a midnight statement admitting to his previous errors in judgment. 

Northwestern athletics director Derrick Gragg, who has apparently been overseas during this whole ordeal, might as well be a permanent mute. The next time we hear from him will be the first. 

And then there’s Wildcats head football coach Patrick William Fitzgerald Jr., who up to Friday, July 7, 2023 was a clean posterboy for leadership in the always ever-muddied world of Power Five Conference football. 

Illinois second-year starter Isaiah Adams says being a vocal leader isn’t easy for his personality but very necessary as he captains a veteran offensive line unit in 2023. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

Cover photo courtesy of Tork Mason/USA Today Network

July 11, 2023

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Isaiah Adams will likely be the first to admit that speaking up in a leadership role isn’t in his nature.

Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst

July 10, 2023

Illinois fans who follow recruiting closely enjoyed watching Kaedin Faegin romp through his Class 2A opponents in his highlight video.

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert

July 10, 2023

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at the surprise commitment at running back.