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

September 5, 2024

(Mike Farrell also has his own website: https://mikefarrellsports.com/)
In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at a few commits who will be on hand recruiting for the Illini during the Kansas game, rank 2025 DE commit Erik Gayle vs the industry and look at how the LBs stack up against the Big Ten.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

September 4, 2024

Davenport, IA. – Illinois' women’s head basketball coach Shauna Green is spending this week traveling the country, scouting top talent for the Fighting Illini. Green is from Clinton, Iowa just several miles from Davenport.

Green visited Wood Intermediate Jr. High School Tuesday night to watch five-star guard Divine Bourrage work out. Bourrage is ranked as the #5 recruit in the ESPN 2025 HoopGurlz Recruiting Rankings.

Both Kansas and Illinois have built their programs with Midwest-based head coaches establishing a physicality and diversity in the run game.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 4, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — While it will not obviously be counted as a conference game, Saturday night’s matchup at Memorial Stadium should remind folks of an old-school Big Ten Conference matchup.

For some many different reasons, this Saturday’s matchup vs. No. 19 Kansas can serve as a momentum shift for the rest of Illinois’ 2024 season. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 4, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — When it’s rather difficult to exactly put a finger on one reason for the importance of a given event, you can usually guarantee it has a high level of significance. 

Illinois defensive coordinator Aaron Henry tells local media that Terrance Brooks is intentionally not in the Illini’s starting lineup and the transfer from Texas is not hurt.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 3, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Add Illinois defensive coordinator Aaron Henry to the list of people publicly saying that Terrance Brooks not being in the Illini’s starting 11 on defense is a performance-based issue. 

Brad Sturdy, Illini Insider and Co-Host IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular

September 3, 2024

The Illini did exactly what they needed to do last week when they dismantled EIU 45-0, but now they face the daunting task that is the Kansas offense and Quarterback Jalon Daniels. But before we get to that, let’s talk about EIU. 

We were looking for 5 things heading into the game against the Panthers, and for the most part, we saw that.

Illinois defensive coordinator Aaron Henry said Monday he’s likely rewatched the 34-23 loss at Kansas last year “over a hundred times” to review his mistakes in preparation. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 2, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Over a hundred times. 

This is how many times Illinois defensive coordinator Aaron Henry says he’s watched film of his team’s 34-23 loss at Kansas in the second week of last season.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

September 2, 2024

Champaign, ILL — Thursday, September 5th, could mark a significant moment in Illinois women's basketball recruiting. Head coach Shauna Green, now entering her third year at the helm, has already transformed Illinois into a respected program.

Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst September 2, 2024 Welcome […]

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

September 2, 2024

Champaign, ILL – Illinois associate head men’s basketball coach Orlando Antigua didn’t recruit Will Riley just to fill out the roster. He saw the potential in the Kitchener, Ontario native and believed Riley could eventually become a star in the Big Ten.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

September 1, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – On a late weeknight, the Illinois football program hosted fewer high school visitors than usual on campus, but a larger turnout is expected on Saturday when they take on the Kansas Jayhawks.

The 2024 season opener on Thursday night was the first time Illinois wide receivers learned they’ll be receiving a hand-written letter as part of their position coach’s special pre-game ritual. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 1, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — While trying to calm himself down in the lobby of the team hotel on Thursday afternoon before his first game of the 2024 season, Pat Bryant was tapped on the shoulder by his position coach.  

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

August 31, 2024

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at a key 2027 visitor for Thursday night, rank DE Cameron Brooks vs the industry and show how the Illini DL stacks up against the Big Ten.

Illinois sophomore wide receiver Malik Elzy had what could be a defining evening in every facet of his game as he begins his second year of college football. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

August 31, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The season opener of the 2024 season could be the moment most folks point toward when the career arc of Malik Elzy began to curve up at the collegiate level. 

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema suggests in post-game media conference that key transfer portal addition needs to “continue to do things the right way and with consistency” to earn a starter role.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

August 30, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — When asked about his program’s most impactful transfer portal additions in the offseason, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema did not confirm a reason for Terrance Brooks’ lack of playing time in the 2024 season opener on Thursday night.