Featured

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

August 16, 2025

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. –  Illinois men’s basketball head coach Brad Underwood has successfully put the Fighting Illini back on the national stage. This is evident not only in their victories, but also in the number of players hearing their names called on draft day.

Diehard fans will remember Morgan Park star Ayo Dosunmu being called the "pied piper" when he became the first big name to commit to Underwood's Illini program. The dynamic guard went on to earn first-team All-American honors and gain national player of the year consideration while lifting Illinois from a school-record 21 losses his freshman year to a Big Ten championship and number one seed in the 2021 NCAA tournament. Dosunmu was taken early in the second round of that summer's NBA Draft by his hometown Chicago Bulls, but experts later surmised that his level of play his rookie season instead warranted being a lottery pick.

Fast-forward four years and Underwood and staff now carry a very special card in their pocket when visiting prospective players

Alexander Capka-Jones is looking to break out as a known commodity after not getting much attention as a high school player, junior college talent or even a returning member of this Illini roster.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

August 20, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN — In his first media session of preseason camp, Illinois wide receiver Justin Stepp spoke for eight minutes and 38 seconds on Aug. 5 and the noteworthy item from that interview was not about what was said but the name that wasn’t mentioned.

Stepp never mentioned the name Alexander Capka-Jones. To be fair to the Illini’s second-year position coach, nobody asked him about Capka-Jones, a receiver who had just two receptions for 21 yards in 2024.

Less than 24 hours after Stepp’s media session, the same player was first in line as an outside receiver for individual drills during the media viewing portion of the Illini’s preseason. It was the same outside receiver who had been first in line the day before and likely would be first in line the next days going forward - No. 7 Alexander Capka-Jones. It is for that level of consistency in his work, among many other things,

Luke Altmyer is excited about being named a team captain on a 2025 Illinois squad that will be attempting to produce back-to-back 10-win seasons for the first time in program history.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

August 20, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN — It may be possible that Luke Altmyer can sense any potential uneasiness amongst Illinois fans about whether their favorite team can have back-to-back successful football seasons for the first time in a generation.

When asked Tuesday by local media, what kind of captain he wants to be on the 2025 Illini squad after the quarterback was named one of six team leaders by a vote of his teammates, it’s more than telling the second descriptive word Altmyer came up with.

“Captains are leaders, visionaries, people who are not afraid of new territory like this team,” Altmyer said. “We’re facing a lot of new expectation, a lot of new waters. I mean, approaching it with the right attitude of a Christlike mindset, being tough, resilient and a lot of love and care. I’m excited for it. Love the opportunity that’s in front of us as a team.”

Illinois second-year talent Eddie Tuerk, a former four-star signee, admitted he was nervous to bring up a positional change to head coach Bret Bielema but all sides are hopeful the move is a win.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

August 19, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN — Similarly to how the Illinois football coaches approach recruiting the transfer portal, offensive line coach Bart Miller lost his recruiting pitch on Eddie Tuerk but kept the relationship building for a potential second try.

The only difference, of course, Tuerk was on the Illini roster the entire time. Miller’s recruiting efforts eventually paid off as the former four-star signee by Rivals.com made the move that most recruiting analysts thought he’d begin at in college after being a dominant two-way player at in-state Lyons Township High School.

“I thought Eddie would be a fantastic guard in this program. I told him that in recruiting and I guess lost out on that recruiting battle early on,” Miller said. “I would see him on the (scout) team

After publicly stumping for a nationally unpopular 16-team College Football Playoff format in Las Vegas, Tony Petitti’s Big Ten office has reportedly leaked a 28-team format with more auto bids.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

August 19, 2025

Approximately a month ago Big Ten Conference commissioner Tony Petitti attempted to justify his league’s position centering on automatic bids and not at-large selections for a proposed 16-team College Football Playoff and a devaluing of the selection committee’s responsibility. As Petitti stood at the podium during the first day of Big Ten Football Media Days in Las Vegas, it became clear this position was owned by the Big Ten and only the Big Ten and that the position was/is nationally unpopular.

The response from the Big Ten personnel including Petitti, who was in Champaign-Urbana last week attending an Illinois preseason football practice where Big Ten Network was doing its preview show of the Illini’s 2025 season, was to reportedly leak a 28-team College Football Playoff format with more automatic bids than the previous 16-team format.

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

August 19, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy player's X page)

The Meanstreets 16U squad had a great run at the Peach Jam, in large part due to the performance of three of the top players on the EYBL 16U circuit. Jaxson Davis, Quniton Kitt and Davion Thompson led the way as Meanstreets showed out over the course of the summer.

Davis, the 6’0 PG from Warren, was the ultimate floor leader, scoring 18 points per game and dishing out 6 assists and even grabbing 5 rebounds. He was also one of the most efficient players on the circuit, shooting 43% on 120 attempts. Throw in 48% shooting from 2 and 80% from the line, while boasting a better than 5 to 1 assist to turnover ratio and you see why he is so coveted by the Illini and others.

Illinois conducted its second preseason scrimmage of this month on Friday inside Memorial Stadium and Illini fifth-year head coach Bret Bielema, along with his coordinators, shared some details. 

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

August 18, 2025

CHAMPAIGN — Illinois fifth-year head coach Bret Bielema called his team’s Friday night scrimmage session inside Memorial Stadium “very productive” and IlliniGuys.com thought we’d just quickly highlight some of the details he presented to local media on Monday afternoon. 

NOTE: It is important the reader understands the scrimmage was closed to all media and public on Friday night and so these summary details are all things Bielema said, but not personally verified by IlliniGuys.com, in his Monday afternoon media session. 

As we typically do with the preseason practice reports, let’s start with an injury report. The summary here is the Illini, especially up front, continue to be more and more healthy compared to the rash of nagging injuries that they experienced early in preseason camp. 

Bielema indicated the only player completely inactive for the scrimmage was preseason All-Big Ten left tackle JC Davis but Bielema did confirm Davis, who has been dealing with plantar fasciitis in his left foot, has been “out of the [walking] boot half of the day now”. When asked a follow-up question about Davis, Bielema said

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

August 18, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy player's X page)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Talented nontraditional big men are rare in today’s game, especially those who can score with their back to the basket while also stretching the floor. Aliou Dioum, a standout in the 2026 class, is one of those versatile prospects, and Illinois is still in the running for his commitment.

The University of Illinois football team will have six captains for the upcoming 2025 season including two new leaders in quarterback Luke Altmyer and outside linebacker Gabe Jacas.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

August 16, 2025

CHAMPAIGN — The University of Illinois will have four returning and two new captains for the upcoming 2025 season.

Bret Bielema, the Illini’s fifth-year head coach, announced Friday the following six captains for the 2025 football season: tight end Tanner Arkin, center Josh Kreutz, linebacker Dylan Rosiek, defensive back Miles Scott will be leaders on this team for a second consecutive season and will be joined by quarterback Luke Altmyer and outside linebacker Gabe Jacas. Since taking the job before the 2021 season, Bielema has always done the captains selections with a vote of the players on the rosters during preseason camp practices.

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

August 15, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy player's Hudl page)

School is back in session and the football season is just weeks away from kicking off.  That means it's "visit season" - time for prospective Illini to come in, tour the campus and facilities, and hear why they should choose Illinois over their other suitors.

For the first time in decades, prospective Illini student-athletes will be taking in home games of a football program ranked in the top 15. Illinois men's basketball plans to take advantage of that raucous atmosphere.  Here's a look at some of the recruits making arrangements to be in Champaign:

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

August 15, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy player's X page)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The class of 2026 has been good to Illinois football, bringing talent, depth, and potential. In the most recent On3 recruiting rankings, the Illini are listed at No. 25 nationally with 24 commitments.

This week, Illinois received more positive news when wide receiver Jabari Watkins, a 6-foot-2, 180-pound recruit from the class of 2027 from Thomasville, named his top nine schools. The list includes Illinois, Florida State, Georgia, Cal, Texas A&M, Georgia Tech, Missouri, Pittsburgh, and Nebraska.

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

August 14, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy USA Basketball)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Illinois men’s basketball program is wasting no time making waves in the 2026 recruiting cycle, securing two early commitments while positioning itself for a run at one of the top prospects in the nation.

Head coach Brad Underwood and his staff have already landed Ethan Brown, a 6-foot-4, 175-pound combo guard from Rolla, Mo., and Landon Davis, a 6-foot-8, 210-pound power forward from Waukee, Iowa. Both are three-star prospects who bring skill, versatility, and competitive toughness to the class.

But Illinois’ recruiting push isn’t slowing down. On the weekend of September 12th, when the No. 12 Illini football team hosts Western Michigan, four-star forward Cameron Holmes from Goodyear, Ariz., will be in Champaign for a visit.

With the Big Ten Network’s preseason camp stop being Wednesday, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema opened up the full two-hour practice session to the media. 

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

August 13, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN — Good afternoon and welcome to my favorite day of preseason camp practice for the Illinois program.

Today was the day the Big Ten Network analysts are invited into the Illini’s practice session for their camp preview edition (which is scheduled to air later tonight) and therefore, it is on this day when Illinois fifth-year head coach Bret Bielema allows local media to view the entire two-hour practice session. 

Illinois Training Camp Special Air Times - Big Ten Network

• Wednesday, Aug. 13 at 7 p.m. CT

• Wednesday, Aug. 13 at 8:30 p.m. CT

• Wednesday, Aug. 13 at 11 p.m. CT

• Thursday, Aug 14 at 3 a.m. CT

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

Double Dribble 2-1 Focus: Jasmine Brown-Hagger Eyes Bigger Role, Tomislav Ivisic Expecting a Big Year.

Player Biography: Jasmine Brown-Hagger, a 5-foot-9 combo guard from Shorewood, Illinois, played her high school basketball in-state and ran with Example Academy on the AAU circuit. Regarded as the No. 1 player from Illinois in her class by espnW HoopGurlz, she initially committed to Mississippi State before transferring to Illinois last summer.

What we know:

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

August 13, 2025

Today’s Double Dribble 2-1 Focus features Illinois men’s center Tomislav Ivisic and women’s guard Brown-Hagger.

Player Biography: Tomislav Ivisic enters his second season with Illinois as a 7-foot-1 center from Croatia. Due to his playing status before arriving on campus, the NCAA reviewed his eligibility, but he ultimately joined the Illini as a sophomore.

He earned third-team All-Big Ten honors from the media last season, leading the team in rebounding at 7.7 per game and blocked shots at 1.2 per game.

Ivisic made history