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By Brad Sturdy - IlliniGuys Insider/Analyst & Co-Host, IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular

January 16, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy player's X page)

The Fighting Illini are known for their international connections and bringing in the top players around the country, but they have focused on a strong 2027 class in the state of Illinois to add another big-time player into the fold in 2027 guard Mason Martin. 

Martin joins wing Quinton Kitt in what will be a foundational class for the Illini in 2027. Martin led all circuits in 3-point shooting on the move last summer and is known for his deep range and quick release.

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Sr. Recruiting Analyst

January 16, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Kedric Prince/IlliniGuys)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Friday marks the final official day of the NCAA transfer portal window, and while needs remain that many would like to see addressed, Illinois football’s focus this weekend extends beyond portal movement.

The Illini are set to host a number of high school prospects as part of their Junior Day efforts, a crucial step as the program looks to strengthen its recruiting pipeline and build long-term relationships.

We were able to confirm a few players planning to be on campus this weekend. As more information becomes available, updates will be posted on the football message board.

Illinois defensive back Xavier Scott, who was a first-team All Big Ten selection in 2024, has elected to return to the Illini after suffering a devestating ankle injury three games into the 2025 season.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

January 15, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The sight of Xavier Scott’s season-ending injury just three games into the 2025 campaign will not be his memory in an Illinois uniform.

Scott has announced his decision to, for the second time in his Illini tenure, pass on the National Football League Draft in exchange of returning to Illinois for one more season - which will be his fifth year of college football.

The 2025 season seemed destined to be Scott’s final one in college football as he was returning to the Illini after being a 2024 All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection by the media and a 2024 Phil Steele All-America honorable mention honoree. However, a severe ankle injury in the fourth quarter of the third game of the 2025 season, a 38-0 victory over eventual Mid-American Conference champion Western Michigan, left open the possibility of Scott returning for another season.

By IlliniGuys Staff January 15, 2026 (Cover photo courtesy […]

By Brad Sturdy - IlliniGuys Insider/Analyst & Co-Host, IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular

January 15, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

Winning in the Big Ten is hard. Winning on the road is even harder. The Illini got the 79-68 win over Northwestern on Wednesday night, but it wasn't easy. Illinois trailed in the in the first half before a late first half run gave them control. Their lead would balloon to 15 points before a suspicious hook and hold call and a technical foul turned that 15-point lead into a five-point lead. But Illini wunderkind Keaton Wagler stepped up and scored 20 of his 22 points in the second half and Tomi Ivisic showed why he was expected to contend for All-Big Ten honors in preseason polls with 21 points and seven rebounds, including three huge three-pointers in the second half. Throw in another stellar performance on both ends from Kylan Boswell, and the Illini moved to 4-0 on the road in Big Ten play. This is the first 4-0 road start for Illinois since the 2004-05 season. Overall, the Illini now sit 5-1 in league play and 14-3 overall.

These 3 Things

Another Game, More Superlatives for Wagler

No. 25 Illinois at No. 8 Michigan Thurs., January […]

In just his second season at Illinois, veteran guard Kylan Boswell has figured out different ways to involve himself in Illinois road victories.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

January 15, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

EVANSTON, Ill. — There has comes a point in every game over the last two months where the equation for a victory must include one element - Kylan Boswell.

“All caps. Problem solver. Mine,” Illinois head coach Brad Underwood said in description of his veteran guard. “To have a player that strong, that athletic and that committed, that dedicated fighting guys where he gives up size and then when a little guard got going, we just switch (Boswell) on him. He solves a lot of problems for us.”

Former Illinois backup kicker Ethan Moczulski has signed an agreement to battle for the starting field goal and kickoff duties at the Illini in the 2026 season.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

January 14, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — After losing its kicker to the earlier this month to the transfer portal, the Illinois coaching staff have elected bring back a very familiar face as a replacement.

Ethan Moczulski has signed an agreement to return to the Illini for his final season of collegiate eligibility. Moczulski, who was the backup kicker and kickoff specialist for Illinois in 2024 after transferring in from Texas A&M, will be expected to compete for the starting kicker duties on field goals and kickoffs for the upcoming 2026 season.

By IlliniGuys Staff January 14, 2026 (Cover photo courtesy […]

By Brad Sturdy - IlliniGuys Insider/Analyst & Co-Host, IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular

January 14, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

The Illini are headed up I-57 to take on the Northwestern Wildcats in the battle for Illinois supremacy against a struggling squad that is 0-5 in Big Ten play. The Illini are 3-0 on the road and this will be their 4th road contest in their first 6 Big Ten games.

Here's a look at the particulars:

Setting the Stage
#13 Illinois (13-3, 4-1 B1G) at Northwestern (8-8, 0-5 B1G)
Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026 // 7:30 p.m. CT // Evanston, Ill. // Welsh-Ryan Arena
TV: BTN – Cory Provus (Play-by-Play) & Steve Smith (Analyst)
Radio: Busey Bank Illini Sports Network – Brian Barnhart & Doug Altenberger

Notable
*No. 13 Illinois carries a season-best five-game win streak into Wednesday night's matchup at Northwestern.

*This is Illinois' final contest of a stretch with three out of four Big Ten road games to open the new year. Illinois is 5-2 away from home, including 3-0 in road games, following Sunday's 75-69 win at No. 19 Iowa. Illinois is aiming to start 4-0 on the road in Big Ten play for the first time since the 2004-05 season. • The Fighting Illini carry a four-game road win streak dating back to last season, the program's longest since winning five straight road games from Dec. 23, 2020 through Feb. 20, 2021.

*Illinois is vying to improve to 14-3 overall, which would equal its best record through 17 games since 2012-13.

By IlliniGuys Staff

The 2026 two-week college football transfer portal has opened - let the frenzy begin!

You can be sure that conversations have been going on behind the scenes for several weeks as several players made their intentions known long before today.

Three days after a thrilling and historic win over Tennessee in the Music City Bowl, Illinois and head coach Bret Bielema and staff now look to capitalize on their unprecedented momentum and improve a roster that loses some key players and a good bit of its depth in this offseason.

Here is a list of players leaving and coming into the program via transfer. This will be updated on a regular basis through January 16th:

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Sr. Recruiting Analyst

January 13, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Kedric Prince/IlliniGuys)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — With only a few days left in this year’s transfer portal window, Illinois football has experienced its share of roster movement like programs across the country. Still, head coach Bret Bielema continues to place major emphasis on high school recruiting, especially within the state of Illinois.

One of the top names now connected to the Illini is Brayden Parks, a 6-foot-2, 305-pound defensive tackle from Brother Rice High School. According to one national recruiting site, Parks is a four-star prospect and is already on Illinois’ radar as a priority in the 2027 recruiting class.

Illinois has made a strong case in recent years for player development under Bielema, particularly along the defensive front. Defensive tackle Johnny Newton reached the NFL in 2024, landing with the Washington Commanders. The Illini also continue to produce high-level pass rushers, including senior Gabe Jacas, a standout from Port St. Lucie, Florida.

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Sr. Recruiting Analyst

January 13, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy player's Instagram page)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois hosted 2026 wing Boyuan Zhang for an official visit and the 6-foot-7, 205-pound prospect from Veritas Academy (Calif.) left Champaign impressed after taking in the Illini’s 81-55 win over Rutgers at State Farm Center last week.

Weeknight visits are not always common for high school recruits unless they are local, but Zhang made the trip because of his strong interest in the Illinois program.

Also on a surprise visit for that same game was Illinois 2027 commit Quinton Kitt

By Steve Sturm - IlliniGuys Football Analyst

January 12, 2026

Illinois' second addition in the transfer portal came at a great time for nervous Illinois fans, because as several Illinois defensive linemen were hitting the portal, Illinois added Penn U. defensive lineman Carter Janki. Janki was in Champaign for a visit as soon as the portal opened and he committed soon after, showing that the staff had identified him as a key piece to their plans for 2026. Janki is a 6'5, 290 pounder who will likely be a defensive end for the Illini next fall in his last year of eligibility.

What does he bring to the Orange and Blue?

Janki is a tough kid who displays some power and he was a steady performer

By IlliniGuys Staff January 11, 2026 (Cover photo courtesy […]