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The Farrell Files Illinois - Hanging with the Big Boys and TE Updates

The Farrell Files Illinois - Hanging with the Big Boys and TE Updates

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys & Big Sports Radio National Football Recruiting Expert

April 8, 2024

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at an example of Illinois staying in on an elite recruit and a couple TEs who could decide soon.

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Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Potential Illinois Football Recruit Jack Brown Embraces Family Legacy eyes the Illini 

Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Potential Illinois Football Recruit Jack Brown Embraces Family Legacy eyes the Illini 

Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

April 7, 2024

Illinois football fans, remember the name Jack Brown, he has strong ties to the University of Illinois: Brown, a standout tight end prospect from Francis Howell Central High School in St. Charles, Missouri (2027).

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Illini Pass Rusher Gabe Jacas Demanding More of Himself in 2024

Illini Pass Rusher Gabe Jacas Demanding More of Himself in 2024

Jacas, a Freshman All-American in 2022, is gaining comfort in his third positional coach in as many seasons in Champaign. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

April 7, 2024

CHAMPAIGN --- Gabe Jacas needed just three words to assess his 2023 season and he’s a tough grader on himself. 

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Illini Guard Adalia McKenzie Talks WBIT Championship With The IlliniGuys, Presented by HX Home Solutions

Illini Guard Adalia McKenzie Talks WBIT Championship With The IlliniGuys, Presented by HX Home Solutions

(Editor's note: IlliniGal Adalia McKenzie appears each week on […]

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Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Ked Goes One-on-One with Potential Toledo Transfer Dante Maddox Jr.

Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Ked Goes One-on-One with Potential Toledo Transfer Dante Maddox Jr.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

April 6, 2024

Dante Maddox Jr., a transfer from Toledo, has recently emerged as a top prospect for several prominent programs. The scoring guard is 6-foot-2, 195-pounds. Originally from Bloom Township High School, his name has garnered attention in collegiate basketball circles.

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Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Dual-Threat Athlete Nasir Rankin Balances Football and Basketball Dreams with Illinois Offer

Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Dual-Threat Athlete Nasir Rankin Balances Football and Basketball Dreams with Illinois Offer

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting
April 4, 2024

Nasir Rankin, a multifaceted 6-1, 177-pound athlete hailing from Chicago, IL, has recently found himself getting the wish he wanted. As a standout talent from Whitney Young High School, this young prodigy has captured the eyes of recruiters with his prowess not just in one sport, but two.

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Illini Reserve Center Dain Dainja Transfers to Memphis

Illini Reserve Center Dain Dainja Transfers to Memphis

By IlliniGuys Staff April 5, 2024 (Photo courtesy Illinois […]

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The Farrell Files Illinois - 2025 Prospect Notes

The Farrell Files Illinois - 2025 Prospect Notes

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys & Big Sports Radio National Football Recruiting Expert

April 5, 2024

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I have notes on a few 2025 prospects.

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Portal Kombat: Illinois Edition, Vol. I

Portal Kombat: Illinois Edition, Vol. I

By IlliniGuys Staff

April 4, 2024

(Cover photo courtesy Wisconsin Athletics)

It's that time of year.  The season is over, postseason conversations are had, and players and coaches are already looking  toward the future even as the uniforms from the final game of the season are still in the dryer.  It's what we like to call...

Portal Kombat!  Illini edition

IlliniGuys members get access to the very latest insider information on who is in and who may be out of Brad Underwood's locker room.  The only thing for certain is Terrence Shannon Jr, Quincy Guerrier, and Justin Harmon are out of eligibility.  Otherwise, there are a countless number of options being weighed by everyone involved.

Our Brad Sturdy and Kedric Prince are keeping us in the loop several times a day with what they are hearing from their sources.  Here's a taste of what they've learned over the past couple of days:

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McKenzie’s Defensive Energy Slows Down Villanova & Leads Illini to Championship

McKenzie’s Defensive Energy Slows Down Villanova & Leads Illini to Championship

On a night where Adalia McKenzie had one point offensively, she proved the point Illinois head coach Shauna Green and her staff have been preaching to the talented, athletic junior wing. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

April 4, 2024

INDIANAPOLIS --- For the entire 2023-24 season, Illinois head coach Shauna Green has constantly tried to tell Adalia McKenzie that she’s one of the most important pieces of the basketball team and nothing about her value involves scoring points. 

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Illini Plan to Replace Dain Dainja

Illini Plan to Replace Dain Dainja

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

April 4, 2024

Illini fans are adjusting to the fact that Dain Dainja will not be back next season. Dainja, standing at 6-foot-9 and weighing in at 255 pounds, has left many fans wondering about the future of the Illini frontcourt.

Here at IlliniGuys, we have learned of a few possibilities and current players who could play a pivotal role for next year's Illini.

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Illini WBIT Championship Run Welcomes Back Confident Makira Cook

Illini WBIT Championship Run Welcomes Back Confident Makira Cook

The five straight Illinois wins for a 2024 WBIT championship saw the return of a confident Makira Cook to the court where she proved she’s one of the nation’s best perimeter players. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

April 3, 2024

INDIANAPOLIS --- Postseason play saw the return of a healthy, confident and rejuvenated Makira Cook. 

The Illinois guard effectively put away all anxiety and frustrations from early and midseason struggles related to a severe concussion in non-conference play. The recent play of the 5-foot-6 guard in March and the two games in Hinkle Fieldhouse in April more resembled the star perimeter who led Illinois to the 2023 NCAA Tournament. 

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Illini Women Lock Up Villanova to Win Inaugural WBIT, 71-57

Illini Women Lock Up Villanova to Win Inaugural WBIT, 71-57

By IlliniGuys Staff April 3, 2024 INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - […]

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Illini Gearing Up For Styles Clash in WBIT Championship Game vs. Villanova  

Illini Gearing Up For Styles Clash in WBIT Championship Game vs. Villanova  

Illinois will look to push the pace inside Hinkle […]

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Andre Lovett Likely In Commit-Recruiter Position for Bielema’s 2025 Recruiting Class

Andre Lovett Likely In Commit-Recruiter Position for Bielema’s 2025 Recruiting Class

Illinois three-star 2025 commitment Andre Lovett from Eisenhower High School in Blue Island will likely be asked to sway uncommitted targets for the next several months. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

March xx, 2024

Judging from the history of how this Illinois football staff has approached each of its first three full recruiting classes, Andre Lovett is about to become a key component to the upcoming recruiting class. 

Lovett, who became the program’s fourth commitment to the 2025 recruiting class, will likely be the poster boy of the latest high school player acquisition of Bret Bielema’s operation. 

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