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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...

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys.com Director of Recruiting

April 15, 2022

(Cover photo courtesy Memphis Commercial Appeal)

Jaye Nash, a 6-foot-2, 165-pound point guard from Memphis, Tennessee, has been outstanding with his recent play. So much so that Illinois assistant coach Chester Frazier offered him a scholarship to play for the Fighting Illini.

Nash admitted that he was extremely honored to receive an offer from Illinois.

"Yes, sir, I mean it’s a huge offer just knowing their history and knowing they just signed a five-star recruit in Skyy Clark. I know that my work is gonna pay off, and this just shows how hard I work," Nash said.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

April 16, 2022

CHAMPAIGN -- Illinois conducted its first team drill spring work in front of a small number of season ticket holders and media Saturday.

When asked how he approaches players who inform him they’re entering the transfer portal, Illinois head coach Brad Underwood said the conversation isn’t lengthy. 

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

April 16, 2022

(Cover photo courtesy Joe Clark/IlliniGuys)

CHAMPAIGN -- If you’re a player informing Illinois head coach Brad Underwood that you’re entering the transfer portal, the conversation is concise and to the point.

Underwood made this idea very clear Wednesday during the media conference announcing the signing of five-star guard Skyy Clark inside Memorial Stadium. When asked about the conversations he’s had with the three players (Andre Curbelo, Omar Payne and Brandin Podziemski) who have entered the portal from the 2021-22 roster, Underwood stressed the level of re-recruitment on his end is almost non-existent.

“Best of luck. Best of luck. Good luck,” Underwood said when asked what his response is to players informing him of a transfer decision. “I am 100 percent acceptance of everybody who wants to leave. I wish them nothing but the best. I’m going to say it again and I’m sure you guys are sick of me saying it. Winning is really hard and if you’re not both feet in, go.” 

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys.com Director of Recruiting

April 15, 2022

(Cover photo courtesy Louisville Courier-Journal)

Most Illini fans are familiar with the name Bryce Hopkins, after their pitch came up short a little more than a year ago.

The 5-star forward from Oak Park, Illinois committed to Louisville instead, but an ongoing NCAA investigation into the Cardinals program drove him to Lexington and the Kentucky Wildcats instead.

That didn't turn out the way the 6-foot-6, 220-pounder had hoped.  Hopkins saw very little playing time for coach John Calipari, averaging 2.1. points and 1.4 rebounds a game while shooting 43 percent from the field.

Former Western Illinois wide receiver Dallas Daniels hoping to get scholarship offer from Illinois after entering transfer portal last month. 

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

April 15, 2022

(Cover photo courtesy Western Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN -- Dallas Daniels is hoping this official visit to Illinois results in his first offer from a Power Five Conference school. 

Daniels confirmed to IlliniGuys.com that he would be on the Illinois campus for the Thursday morning spring practice and is hoping to receive a scholarship offer from the Illini coaching staff. Daniels, a 6-foot-1 and 170-pound target originally from Dayton, Ohio, had 892 receiving yards and four touchdowns over his last two years at Western Illinois. Daniels was named a selection to the Missouri Valley Football Conference All-Newcomer team following the 2020 season after he transferred from Arizona Western College through Northeastern Oklahoma A&M. 

Bryce Barnes, who has been mixed and matched by this Illinois coaching from outside linebacker to defensive end, has found comfort as a 275-pound end when his hand in the ground. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

April 14, 2021

CHAMPAIGN -- Here are some quick notes of what IlliniGuys.com heard from Thursday morning:

By Larry Smith - IlliniGuys Staff

April 14, 2022

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

In a word: wow!

So...I'm about to walk out the door this morning for a road trip when IlliniGuys Insider/Analyst Brad Sturdy did an insider information dump...and I just had to get it posted!

The latest on Kofi, it looks like a final decision has been made on Curbelo, and what about potential transfer Terrence Shannon or an Adam Miller return? Other players in the transfer portal of interest? A possible top target for 2023?

There's a lot here to dissect and the IlliniGuys.com members are doing that right now.  It's a pretty interesting conversation.  Click the orange bar at the top of our front page and find out why IlliniGuys.com is the fastest growing Illini insider website around!

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys.com Director of Recruiting

April 14, 2022

(Cover photo courtesy Jake Cook Hudl page)

Jake Cook, a 6-foot-4, 290-pound offensive line from Westerville, Ohio, recently took a visit to the University of Illinois. We caught up with Cook for a brief Q and A session on his visit plus the next move for Jake regarding the Illini.

Kedric: Could you explain your thoughts on the visit, and did it meet your expectations?

Jake: It was fantastic! Great coaches, atmosphere and facilities! I'm definitely coming back for camp, I can't wait to be a part of that. I had a great time.

Illinois head coach Brad Underwood expresses little to no concern about the partial tear of the ACL that newly signed five-star prospect Skyy Clark suffered last summer.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

April 13, 2022

(Cover photo courtesy Larry McCormack/Nashville Tennessean)

CHAMPAIGN -- On the day he signed the program’s highest-rated guard in nearly two decades, Brad Underwood publicly denied any concerns over the left knee of highly-touted guard Skyy Clark.

Clark made his verbal commitment official Wednesday on the first day of the spring period by signing his National Letter-of-Intent with Illinois at Montverde Academy in Florida. The talk around the five-star prospect, who decommitted from Kentucky in early March, has been the injury suffered to his left knee last summer at the Nike EYBL Peach Jam in July. The injury produced a lengthy rehabilitation process and forced him to be inactive for most of his senior season of high school and most of the grassroots circuit this spring.