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By Zain Bando - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

(Cover photo courtesy Zain Bando/IlliniGuys)

CHAMPAIGN, IL – Bret Bielema addressed the media after Thursday’s spring football game, as the White team prevailed 58-40 behind three touchdowns passes from Syracuse transfer quarterback, Tommy DeVito, along with two of them going to newly-minted wide receiver, Isaiah Williams.

Bielema had a lot of high praises, especially when it came to his new quarterback.

“Offensively, I liked the way Tommy handled the huddle. We've always known that he has a live arm.... dynamic,” Bielema said.

The old ball coach made it clear, however, that it’s DeVito’s job to lose once the summer hits, hinting at when Art Sitkowski might return from his shoulder injury.

“When we start in June, Art Sitkowski will be a full go,” he said.

Bielema also enjoyed the swagger of Kendall Smith, a defensive back who has been through the ups and downs of the program’s current rebuild.

Tommy DeVito shined with three touchdown passes but the Illinois starting quarterback question will still depend on seeing Art Sitkowski actually throw a football. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

April 21, 2022

CHAMPAIGN -- The good and bad news for Bret Bielema is he couldn’t name a starting quarterback following the spring game even if he wanted to do so. 

Zain Bando, IlliniGuys Student Correspondent

April 21, 2022

Quarter-by-quarter impressions from the IlliniGuys first Student Correspondent.

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys.com Director of Recruiting

April 21, 2022

Now that it is official that All-American center Kofi Cockburn will try to play professionally next year in the NBA, Illinois must keep moving.

The Illini already possess the nation's 10th best-recruiting class in 2022, but expect to really hit the transfer portal hard in the coming weeks.

A name that has surfaced before in the transfer portal and now may get more attention is Manny Bates, a 6-foot-11, 230-pound forward from Fayetteville, North Carolina.

The North Carolina State big man played in just one game before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury this year and then choosing to become the fourth player to leave the Wolfpack program this spring.

April 21, 2022

 IlliniGuys Staff

(Cover photo courtesy Joe Clark/IlliniGuys)

So...it's the morning after.  The smoke has cleared and the Illini now step into a future that will be defined in the history books as the "post-Ayo & Kofi" era.

The impact that All-Americans Ayo Dosunmu and Kofi Cockburn made on the Illinois program can and will never be denied.  From a record-setting 21-loss season to a seat at the table as one of the top 20 teams in the country.  And climbing.  With two conference championship banners as conquests of the nation's toughest conference, you could argue their current status is even more exclusive than that.

As Cockburn waves goodbye and now works to follow his ex-Illini teammate into the NBA, the Illinois coaching staff can now move forward.  

So what will this roster look like this fall?  Who are the top targets to fill the open scholarships as the Illini chase after a repeat Big Ten regular season title?

IlliniGuys' Brad Sturdy always has the goods.  He was the first to tell you Tuesday afternoon that Kofi was turning pro and last night he delivered the very latest on who could be next up.

It's a fun time to be an Illini fan!

Illinois head coach Brad Underwood knows his squad will be drastically different without the focus of a 7-foot 290-pound All-American in the middle. 

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

April 20. 2022

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN -- We’ve reached the point where the basketball program at Illinois must now figure out how to function in a post-Kofi Cockburn world. 

The 7-foot, 290-pound center has literally and figuratively been the figure the Illini have revolved around on both ends of the playing floor for the better part of two seasons. Over the last three seasons with Cockburn on the roster, Illinois has produced a 68-27 overall record, a 44-16 mark in Big Ten Conference play and won the 2021 Big Ten Conference Tournament championship and won a share of the 2022 league regular-season title. 

On the date of April 20, 2022, Brad Underwood stood in the Fighting Illini Center for Excellence offices beginning the explanation of what his team could look like and how it’ll function without arguably the most dominant center in program history and in all likelihood, all five starters from the 2021-22 season. 

“I think we’ll just be different…and that’s okay. I’m not afraid to change,” Underwood said. 

Kofi Cockburn ends his career in college basketball by […]

IlliniGuys.com guides you through some of the critical items worth paying attention to in the Illinois spring football game on Thursday night. 

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

April 20, 2022

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN -- The spring game is usually nothing more than a television event led by marketing expert/Illinois head football coach Bret Bielema and one should not need further proof of this statement than last season’s version. 
The Big Ten Network sideline reporter tossed a completed pass for a two-point conversion. The two highlighted receivers were Carlos Sandy and Khmari Thompson, both of whom managed to catch a total of four passes in the following 2021 season. The quarterback who shined injured himself on the first drive of the 2021 opener vs. Nebraska. Caleb Griffin went 3-for-3 in a field goal shootout and didn’t record a single field goal attempt in the following season.
So, yes, there are elements of the Orange-Blue spring game at Illinois that should be taken in context as simply just a celebration of anticipation and hope for the upcoming fall season. However, while you’re playing to attend the free event on Thursday evening at Memorial Stadium or watch on BTN, we at IlliniGuys.com wanted to come up with four elements that might be worth your valuable time. 

April 19, 2022

(Cover photo courtesy Joe Clark/IlliniGuys)

Illini fans looking for a decision from All-American center Kofi Cockburn regarding his future will get their wish, as the superstar player sent out a tweet earlier today that he will make an announcement on Wednesday.

Returning to the Illini for his senior season?  Entering the NBA Draft for the third and final time?  Leaving Illinois and entering the transfer portal and the search for another collegiate program?

One man has the answer and he's posted about it and is discussing with IlliniGuys.com members RIGHT NOW on our message forums.

IlliniGuys' Brad Sturdy answers the Kofi question and fills in some other blanks in this Q&A session.  Kudos to IlliniGuys member "Glenview Illini" for some fantastic queries:

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

April 19, 2o22

EDITORS NOTE: There was no media viewing of today’s practice so there’s nothing I can provide from an observational standpoint before we enter the Orange-Blue spring game on Tuesday. I just thought I’d use this space to set you up for why this spring game will likely look different than the one in 2021.

CHAMPAIGN -- Compared to when they left Memorial Stadium last spring, the one universal feeling of the entire Illinois football coaching staff this April is one of more comfort.

With just over 48 hours until the second version of the Orange-Blue spring game at Memorial Stadium, the Illini staff seems better suited to know what they have from an execution, depth and weaknesses standpoint in 2022.

“The amount of mental errors you get in this spring as compared to last year is way down,” Illinois defensive coordinator Ryan Walters said Tuesday morning. “I think everybody has a higher functioning level in terms of situational football. So, I think now you’re seeing guys not solely focusing on their assignment but now also reacting to what the offense is doing. This all what comes with year two of a scheme.”

The last spring game was the last time Illini fans got to see Isaiah Williams at quarterback as a less-than-stellar performance behind center led to a move to wide receiver. Calvin Hart Jr. was buried on the second-team defense with Tarique Barnes in the spring game after a early penalty in the contest but by the season opener against Nebraska, Hart was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week before a season-ending knee injury. In this 2022 version of the spring game, Hart and Barnes, who have been paired as roommates since Hart arrived from North Carolina State, will lead the calls of Walters’ defense.

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys.com Director of Recruiting

April 18, 2022

(Cover photo courtesy Prep Hoops)

It is April, COVID-19 appears to be on the back burner, and now the college basketball coaches can get back out to see players live, not having to depend on videos to land top prospects.

Being able to see players first-hand can never be replaced. Illinois assistant basketball coaches are on a roll. This time around talking to recruits and giving them offers is a much easier sell because Illinois has been a mainstay as one of the nation's best.

Allow me to introduce to you to Kaden Cooper, a 6-foot-5, 180-pound small forward from Ada, Oklahoma and a member of the class of 2023.

Cooper received an Illinois offer, one he wanted and was honored to have.

By Brad Sturdy - IlliniGuys Insider/Analyst

April 18, 2022

On Monday, 2024 PG ZZ Clark made his decision to follow older brother Skyy to Champaign and join Morez Johnson in the Fighting Illini's class of 2024. 

ZZ hasn’t gotten the same early hype as older brother Skyy, but this is a talented basketball player. He’s built in the same mold as his brother, with broad shoulders, natural strength, a low center of gravity and solid athleticism. ZZ has a nice shooting stroke and lets it fly with confidence. He can score the ball from 3 levels and is comfortable playing on or off the ball.

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys.com Director of Recruiting 

April 18, 2022

If the last name Clark catches your eye, there is a reason for that. Zachiah "ZZ" Clark, a 6-foot-1, 175-pound guard in the class of 2024, is the brother of Skky Clark, who committed to the Illini last week on ESPN. 

Skyy is currently on his official visit at Illinois with his father for the next two days after the family had gone on an unofficial visit to Champaign before.  And it appears to be a great place for both Skky and ZZ to call home for the next few years, as ZZ announced his commitment to the Illini this morning.

ZZ is currently a sophomore who has already had an incredible list of offers: Arizona State, Creighton, DePaul, Kansas, and Vanderbilt. But he decided to pick Illinois today knowing that - after seeing what Illinois has to offer in the classroom, in its coaches, on the court, and a hungry fan base - they expect to win.

By Steve Sturm - IlliniGuys Football Analyst

Apil 18, 2022

(Cover photo courtesy Vanderbilt Athletics)

The Fighting Illini added some size and experience to the defense line when Vanderbilt defensive tackle Rashaan Wilkins, Jr. decided to come to Champaign.  Wilkins was a two-year starter at Vanderbilt and figured to remain the starter at the SEC school but decided to enter the transfer portal when Vanderbilt made a coaching change.

Wilkins has taken a very unlikely route from Chicago to Champaign.  He started high school at Mt. Carmel in Chicago as a 6'2, 180 pound wide receiver.  He grew to 6'3, 240 pounds and excelled at both outside linebacker and tight end, but only showed enough to earn Division III offers coming out of high school.  Wilkins took the offer from nearby Wisconsin-Stevens Point.  Wilkins played two games at tight end and caught two passes, but injured his ankle and decided to save that year of eligibility and transfer to Monterey Peninsula Junior College in California.  Wilkins excelled at Monterey and ate his way to a sturdy 300 pounds. That brought the attention of several Division I programs and Wilkins selected Vanderbilt.  Wilkins earned steady playing time in his two years at Vanderbilt but decided to finish his career closer to home in Champaign, and Illinois is quite fortunate that he did.

IlliniGuys Staff

April 17, 2022

(Cover photo courtesy Joe Clark/IlliniGuys)

Whether you are celebrating Easter, Passover, or Ramadan, we wish you many blessings on this fantastic weekend!

Now...let's get down to it.

Six weeks ago, it appeared as though Kofi Cockburn's immediate future was set.  He'd talk to NBA scouts and get some feedback...and then very likely announce a return to the Illini for a fourth and final season.  Kofi was enjoying his time at Illinois and was getting rich off NIL deals with even greater financial rewards awaiting in his senior season.  He's close enough to sniff Deon Thomas and James Augustine and replace them atop the respective all-time program scoring and rebounding charts.

Kofi has until April 24th - that's a week from today - to enter the NBA Draft if he chooses to do so.  Keep in mind, this would be his third entry into the draft and the third time is the charm - he cannot return to school if he makes this move.

Is he working out at Ubben? Working with a trainer?  Working with NBA peeps with an eye on improving his draft status (at the moment, he isn't on any mock draft boards).  Nope...he's back in Jamaica with family.

It's a situation that is strange, to say the least.  But as always, IlliniGuys Insider/Analyst Brad Sturdy and IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting Kedric Prince have their ears to the ground and have posted a few surprising notes over the weekend.

There could be more changes to this Illini basketball roster than we thought...