
On Guard: Illini Coaches Excited Over Eddie Tuerk Making Transition From DL to OL
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