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Without the services of Chase Brown, Illinois offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. looking forward to show his offensive’s future talent at tailback. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

December 31, 2022

TAMPA, Fla. -- On the second day of 2023, Illinois will be showcasing the future of its tailback talent they hope to be using throughout the rest of the calendar year. 

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert

December 30, 2022

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

In this edition of the Farrell Report — Illinois I’ll take a look at what the Illini have at RB from the 2023 class, make a guess at who the new defensive backs coach will be and drop some portal info.

By Brad Sturdy - IlliniGuys Insider/Analyst

December 30, 2022

The Illini completed their non-conference schedule with an 85-52 pasting of Bethune-Cookman, righting the ship a bit after the debacle against Missouri a week ago. Although the competition was less than stellar, this was an opportunity to see what tweaks Brad Underwood was able to make as the Illini head into Big Ten Conference play. 

Here’s what we saw:

Antonio Fenelus has been added to Bret Bielema’s Illinois staff to fill the vacancy left by Ryan Walters’ head coach hiring to Purdue and Aaron Henry’s promotion. 

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

December 30, 2022

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema has hired his third former player from his time as a defensive coordinator and head coach at Wisconsin to his Illini defensive assistant coaching staff. 

Antonio Fenelus will be getting his first full-time positional coaching job at a Football Bowl Subdivision school as the new defensive backs coach on an Illini coaching staff that also features Bielema’s former players Aaron Henry (defensive coordinator) and defensive line coach Terrance Jamison. 

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema wanted a big reaction from his team when he announced Aaron Henry’s promotion to defensive coordinator. What he got was calmness in a trying coaching silly season week for the Illini. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

December 30, 2022

TAMPA, Fla. -- Aaron Henry’s promotion didn’t provide for a theatrical YouTube-style reaction by this returning Illinois roster of players.

By IlliniGuys Staff December 29, 2022 (Cover photo courtesy […]

By IlliniGuys Staff December 29, 2022 (Cover photo courtesy […]

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys.com Director of Recruiting

Dec. 29, 2022

(Cover photo courtesy Stephen Lee/USA Today Sports)

Last month Luke Altmyer thanked Ole Miss coaches, teammates, and fans for what they had done, but felt it was time he moved on.  Today he announced his destination:  Illinois.

The pro-style quarterback was ranked as one of the nation’s top 15 signal callers coming out of high school in the class of 2021.

The Illini going through a recent rough patch is what the team ultimately needs to have a successful tournament run.

Zain Bando, IlliniGuys Correspondent

December 29, 2022

It could be worse, right?

Luke Altmyer’s high school coach details what qualities made him a Top 150 player in ESPN’s rankings of prospects in the 2021 recruiting class. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

December 29, 2022

Just over two years ago, Luke Altmyer broke Starkville High School’s single game passing record in a 41-7 victory at Germantown High School with 426 yards. 

After watching assistant coach Cory Patterson leave for Ryan Walters’ staff at Purdue, Illinois wide receiver declines to guarantee his plans for 2023. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

December 29, 2022

TAMPA, Fla. -- Isaiah Williams has once again been introduced with an adult decision to his college football career. 

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

Cover photo courtesy MSN.com

December 28, 2022

Luke Altmyer, Ole Miss courtesy MSN.com

Getting a veteran quarterback is still up in the air.

Illinois quarterback Tommy DeVito details what he says was a four-week process on a possible eligibility waiver. 

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

December 28, 2022

(Cover photo courtesy Matt Stevens/IlliniGuys)

TAMPA, Fla. -- Tommy DeVito will end his college football career in the 2023 ReliaQuest Bowl. 

The Illinois quarterback confirmed Wednesday afternoon that the bowl game on Jan. 2 against Mississippi State will be his final college football game before beginning preparation for the upcoming NFL Draft. 

Before the media availability at Raymond James Stadium immediately following the team’s picture, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema has been intentionally vague about the situation when asked about DeVito’s status for the 2023 season. Following the first day of early signing period on Dec. 21, Bielema said “I’m not saying it has sailed but there’s a hope there’s a way out there that could get him back” and unless that waiver denial by the NCAA Eligibility Center was confirmed in the last seven days, the Illinois staff were already well aware that DeVito’s final game would be in Tampa, Fla. 

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert

December 28, 2022

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

As we transition from the Early Signing Period for the 2023 class to the portal, I’ll start with a look at how the high school class can impact at each position.

Mike Cagley, Co-Host IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular December 27, 2022 […]