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While not wanting to undercut his coordinators on either side of the ball, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema made it clear at Big Ten Football Media Days that if the defense fails, blame him. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

July 30, 2024

CHAMPAIGN — It’s pretty clear that Brett Bielema is sick and tired of hearing public criticism about the Illinois defensive coordinator spot when he feels those folks have missed the target. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

July 29, 2024

Good evening and welcome to the first preseason camp practice for the Illinois program for the 2023 season in the fourth campaign of Illini head coach Bret Bielema that begins under lights in Memorial Stadium.

As preseason practice begins Monday evening, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema sees the personnel talent to get the Illinois running game back on track for success.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

July 29, 2024

CHAMPAIGN — As Bret Bielema enters his 16th preseason camp as the head coach of a power conference program, the first consistency is always that the highest priority will always revolve around the running game. 

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

July 29, 2024

Champaign, IL - Illini Nation has its eyes set on Mikel Brown Jr., one of the nation's top playmakers, as he announces the first six schools he plans to visit.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

July 28, 2024

Champaign, IL. - Shauna Green and her coaching staff are making significant strides in recruiting, positioning themselves to potentially land one of the nation's top five recruiting classes next year. The Illinois women's basketball program is in a strong position with three top 25 players in the 2025 class: guards Divine Bourrage from Davenport North, Destiny Jackson from Whitney Young, and 6-foot wing Taliyah Henderson from Salpointe Catholic High School in Arizona.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

July 27, 2024

Champaign, IL. - When it comes to Illinois basketball recruiting, all eyes are on head coach Brad Underwood and his staff. With another outstanding team secured for the 2024-25 season, let's take a closer look at a couple of recruits involving Illinois.

Kedric Prince, Director of Recruiting 

July 27, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Amidst the buzz surrounding the new faces on the Illinois basketball team, one notable addition has largely gone unnoticed. Jason Jakstys, a 6-foot-10 stretch forward from Yorkville, is quietly making his mark.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

July 26, 2024

Champaign, IL - Mercer transfer guard Jake Davis was the first prospect to commit to Illinois after their Elite Eight run this past season. Illinois head coach Brad Underwood and assistant coach Tyler Underwood saw the interest from Davis, reviewed extensive game footage, and promptly offered him a scholarship.

Brooks, arguably the most significant acquisition out of the transfer portal for Illinois in the Bret Bielema era, arrives in Champaign after needing a push from his NFL alum father. 

Matthew Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

July 25, 2024

CHAMPAIGN — Terrance Brooks didn’t just imply or hint that he took less of a pay-for-play salary to sign with Illinois out of the transfer portal, he said the perceived quiet part out loud. 

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

July 25, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois fans might feel a sense of déjà vu when they hear about Louisville transfer Tre White. Questions circulated early when he committed: Who is he? Where did this recruit come from? How can a player from a struggling Louisville team help us? Is this a reach for Coach Tim Anderson?

Illinois third year outside linebacker Gabe Jacas must find himself in offensive backfields in 2024 season. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

July 24, 2024

INDIANAPOLIS — One year ago, Bret Bielema broke his long-standing rule of bringing non-seniors to the league’s media day because if he didn’t, the Illinois head coach knew Jer’Zhan Newton would be in professional football the following summer. 

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

July 24, 2024

Champaign, IL - Illinois’ Tomislav Ivisic, a 7-foot, 230-pound freshman, is now with his future teammates. Ivisic, along with fellow freshman Morez Johnson, will be handling everything that comes to the paint this upcoming season.

Purdue will have five former Illinois coaches on its staff when the Boilermakers play at Illinois on Oct. 12 at Memorial Stadium in Walters’ first return to Champaign.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

July 23, 2024

INDIANAPOLIS — At 7:30 p.m. CST on Jan. 11, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema sent out of the media release confirming the firing of linebackers coach Andy Buh and cornerbacks coach Antonio Fenelus.

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

July 23, 2024

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll have a few more 2026 notes and see how the 2025 WR group compares to the Big Ten. Hint: It’s not that bad.

Illinois fills final assistant/analyst roles for the upcoming 2024 season with the additions of Dana Dimel and Myers Hendrickson.  

July 22, 2024

CHAMPAIGN — The final additions of Bret Bielema’s coaching staff for the upcoming 2024 season are former head coaches at the Division I level. 

The Illini’s fourth-year head coach announced Monday the hiring of Dana Dimel as a senior offensive assistant and Myers Hendrickson as a senior analyst.