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By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys.com Director of Recruiting 

June 18, 2022

(Cover photo courtesy Rock Island Dispatch-Argus)

Back in early March, Illinois was all alone in second place in the Big Ten.  It was a day in which eight potential recruits were on campus to see them face their bitter rivals, the Iowa Hawkeyes.

The stars aligned for the Illini, as the last place team in the conference (Nebraska) went into Madison and knocked off the front-running Badgers, giving Illinois a chance to play for a Big Ten title later that night.

I remember like it was yesterday--all the recruits were fired up and rightly so! They were on a visit and would have a front row as Illinois played for a title.

Bettendorf, Iowa's Caden Wilkins, a 6-foot-6, 202-pound forward, considered by Prep Hoops to be the top junior in the state, was one of those recruits.

This past week, DI coaches were allowed to contact juniors and Wilkins got a call.

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys.com Director of Recruiting

June 20, 2022

(Cover photo courtesy The Hoop Hustle)

The class of 2023 has a big man that you can expect the full-court press in coming weeks. Ugonna Kingsley Onyenso is a 6-foot-11, 195-pound center from Putnam Science Academy in Connecticut.

Because of Onyenso’s size and skill, he is becoming one of the top players being pursued in his class.

Onyenso was offered a scholarship by the Fighting Illini staff last Tuesday. But Illinois coaches will have their work cut out for them.

Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst

June 18, 2022

When I first saw McMillen's film, I wondered if I was really looking at a high school junior because he executes so well from so many positions.

Three-star defensive back Jaheim Clarke became the 10th commitment of the Illini’s 2023 recruiting class and second verbal pledge coming out of this weekend. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer and Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

June 19, 2022

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- The Sunshine State of Florida has been very fruitful to the Illinois football program and the commitment of Jaheim Clarke simply adds to that total. 

Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting 

June 19th, 2022

David Olano courtesy Illinois Athletics

David Olano a 5-10, 160-pound, 2023 Kicker from Naperville, IL committed to Illinois today.

Connor Cagley, IlliniGuys Basketball Writer June 19, 2022 This […]

By Brad Sturdy - IlliniGuys Insider/Analyst

June 18, 2022

(Cover file photo courtesy Richard Barron's Twitter page)

(EDITOR'S NOTE: IlliniGuys Insider/Analyst Brad Sturdy and Director of Recruiting Kedric Prince were both in attendance at RBS on Friday.  Brad offers his day one thoughts below and will post updates all day during day twoj on the IlliniGuys message forum.

-Brad Underwood and Tim Anderson were in attendance at this event, while Chester Frazier (DMV) and Geoff Alexander (AZ) were elsewhere.

-James Brown and Morez Johnson will head to Colorado for USA Basketball Saturday morning and did not play on Saturday. Brown talked Illinois to Kedric Prince and was very complimentary of the program. Illinois is really in deep with Brown.

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

June 18, 2022

(Cover file photo courtesy Journal & Topics)

(EDITOR'S NOTE:  IlliniGuys Insider/Analyst Brad Sturdy and Director of Recruiting Kedric Prince were both in attendance on Friday.  Brad posted updates throughout the day on the IlliniGuys message forums on Friday and Kedric's notes are posted below.)

Illinois head coach Brad Underwood and assistant Tim Anderson were in Riverside, Illinois on Friday watching several potential athletes. Underwood was able to see some really good players. Some already have offers and Terrance Smith from West Aurora was extended a visit to the Illinois campus.

The Illini Showcase Camp on June 16 featured a nationally-rated kicker, the son of a Illini Hall of Famer offered and Illinois OC Barry Lunney Jr. eyeing a quarterback from his old stomping grounds.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

June 17, 2022

(Cover photo courtesy Matt Stevens)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Bret Bielema wasn’t about to let Kevin Hardy leave his alma mater without his son knowing how much he was cherished by this Illinois football staff. 

Following his participation in the second Illini showcase camp on Thursday afternoon, Camden Hardy, a 2024 pass rusher prospect from Atlantic Coast High School in Jacksonville, didn’t just leave the Illinois campus with some instruction and a t-shirt. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound outside linebacker/edge rusher who will be entering his junior season of high school got a scholarship offer from second-year head coach Bret Bielema to play at the college where both his father and mother graduated. 

As a sophomore last fall, Hardy had 57 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and five sacks while leading Atlantic Coast High School to the Class 7A playoffs while his famous father was the position coach. 

June 17, 2o22 (Cover photo courtesy Chicago Sun-Times) It's […]

Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst

June 16, 2022

Jamarrion Harkless was the biggest, and best, catch of the recent recruiting weekend. 

Illinois head coach Brad Underwood said Wednesday he feels new forward Matthew Mayer has yet to reach his potential development despite being a highly attractive transfer portal signing. 

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

June 15, 2022

(Cover photo courtesy Trevor Ruszkowski/USA Today Sports)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Whether it’s been while recruiting him years ago as a high school prospect, seeing him on the opposing sideline two years ago in Indianapolis or now, Brad Underwood says he’s always been convinced of two things about Matthew Mayer. 

Illinois' newest signing out of the transfer portal is a player Underwood has coveted for several years going back to when he was a Top 100 prospect out of Westlake High School in Austin, Texas. However, despite being on preseason All-Big 12 teams along with preseason Naismith and Wooden Award watch lists before the tip of the 2021-22 season, the Illini head coach is convinced the 6-foot-9, 225-pound forward still has the potential to improve his overall game in his final season of college basketball in Champaign. 

“I think it’s about continuing to become that guy who is a consistent 40 percent from three,” Underwood said. “I think we have the opportunity to get him those looks and him potentially being a focal point of what we want to do on that end will help him grow in those areas as well.”  

Steve Sturm, Football Analyst

June 15, 2022

Illinois' football staff had fans roaring with delight with their first three additions in their recent recruiting weekend.

Illinois officials have pointed toward the newly opened Atkins Golf Club as a future Big Ten Championship and NCAA Regional host facility. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

June 14, 2022

URBANA, Ill. -- Mike Small has experienced as a player the feeling of winning a championship on a home course and now has the opportunity to pass that along to his current players. 

Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys.com Director of Recruiting 

June 16, 2022

Illinois football recently picked up four verbal commitments, keeping them among the nation's best in 2023.