Tanner Heckel Commits to Illinois, Brings Versatility to the Fighting Illini
Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting
February 8, 2023
On Wednesday, Illinois signed a valuable addition to its football roster as three-star Kansas defensive back Tanner Heckel signed a national letter of intent. The 5-foot-11, 175-pound athlete hails from Lyndon (HS) in Kansas and is set to bring a diverse skill set to Illinois.
Charlie Bullen Returning to National Football League As New York Giants OLB Coach
The outside linebackers coaching position is open at Illinois for the third time in four offseasons as Charlie Bullen leaves for the NFL’s New York Giants.
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
February 7, 2024
CHAMPAIGN — Charlie Bullen’s time as a full-time position coach at the collegiate level lasted just 13 months.
Shortly after Illinois head coach Bret Bielema completed a local media conference inside the Smith Family Football Complex, the New York Giants announced Charlie Bullen was leaving the Illini program after just one season for the same job title with the National Football League franchise.
Bielema on Fmr. Illini Signee Josaiah Knight Signing With Mississippi State: ‘He wanted to be here’
Illinois head coach Bret Bielema hinted an enrollment problem popped up with three-star OLB/DE Josaiah Knight after he signed with Mississippi State Wednesday.
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
February 7, 2024
CHAMPAIGN — Despite signing a National Letter-of-Intent and being introduced as an early enrollee a few weeks later, Josaiah Knight will not be a member of the University of Illinois football program.
The Farrell Files Illinois - Illini Add "Sleeper" DB
Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys & Big Sports Radio National Football Recruiting Expert
February 7, 2024
(Mike Farrell also has his own website: https://mikefarrellsports.com/)
In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at another late sleeper DB added by Bret Bielema just like last season.
Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Steven Reynolds
Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting
February 6, 2024
On Sunday, 4-Star prospect Steven Reynolds took in the Illini experience on gameday on an unofficial visit. South Bend, Indiana's Steven Reynolds, a 6-foot-5, 170-pound shooting guard from the class of 2026, recently experienced a game at the State Farm Center. On this unofficial visit, Reynolds witnessed an Illinois victory over the Nebraska Cornhuskers 87-84 in overtime on Sunday evening.
Ked's Recruiting Roundup: 2024 DB Tanner Heckel Commits to Illinois
By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting
February 6th, 2024
Surprising development for the Fighting Illini football team, they secured a commitment for the class of 2024 from safety Tanner Heckel, a 5-foot-11, 175-pound talent hailing from Lyndon, Kansas, and Lyndon High School.
The Farrell Files Illinois - PWO of Interest, WR Coach Gone & Zafir Stewart Evaluation
February 6, 2024
(Mike Farrell also has his own website: https://mikefarrellsports.com/)
In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at a new preferred walk on of interest, talk about the loss of WR Coach George McDonald and continue to look at the 2024 class with a look at OL Zafir Stewart in four important categories.
Ked's Recruiting Roundup: Illini Add OL Barrett as PWO
By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting
February 5th, 2024
Orland Park's Zach Barrett, a strong 6-foot-3, 270-pound offensive lineman from the class of 2024, officially committed to the University of Illinois football program on Sunday as a preferred walk-on, one day after making a visit to camps. Barrett made the decision to join the Fighting Illini, citing the program's aggressive mentality and commitment to dominating opponents as key factors in his choice.
Adalia McKenzie Talks With The IlliniGuys, Courtesy HX Home Solutions
(Editor's note: IlliniGal Adalia McKenzie appears each week on […]
Sturdy's Nebraska Rewind - Anatomy of an Almost Collapse
Brad Sturdy, Co-Host IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular & Big Sports Radio & Illini Uber Insider
February 5, 2024
The Illini took a 10-point lead on a Terrence Shannon 3-pointer at 72-62 with 3:29 to play and Brad Underwood called a timeout to set his defense to prevent 3 pointers.
“We just made a subtle change…” Underwood said. “It’s a downhill switch. We knew what was coming…we were gonna be OK with 2’s we just couldn’t give them 3’s. I called the timeout there, probably not a great decision because it maybe changed the momentum, but I still would have made the same call over and over again.”
Ked's Recruiting Roundup - PWO Commit Harrysson Ngassa
Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting
February 5, 2023
Whitney Young Prep Harrysson Ngassa commits to Illinois Football as Preferred Walk-On.
Coleman Hawkins Defense Key to No. 14 Illini’s Overtime Win Over Upset-Minded Nebraska
On Sunday night, Coleman Hawkins finally got a matchup similar in stature and game and proved he was a more athletic, smarter and versatile center against Nebraska’s Rienk Mast.
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
February 5, 2024
CHAMPAIGN — Victory for Coleman Hawkins on Sunday night wasn’t so much a sight but a distinct sound.
14th Ranked Illini Survive In OT After Late Game Collapse
By IlliniGuys Staff February 4, 2024 (Cover photo courtesy […]
Sturdy's Illini Men's Basketball Preview - Nebraska
Brad Sturdy, Co-Host IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular & Big Sports Radio & Uber-Illini Insider
February 4, 2024
The Illini welcome the Nebraska Cornhuskers to the State Farm Center on Sunday night as they look to take advantage of a 4-day prep and an upcoming 5-day prep after a grind of a start to Big Ten play. The Illini will be in a tie for 2nd place in the league following this one if they can pull out the win, just 1 game behind the Purdue/Wisconsin winner. As the Illini attempt to improve their NCAA seeding and fight for a Big Ten title, they need to take care of business at home starting on Sunday evening.
Below are our keys and a pick.
Setting the Stage
#14 Illinois (16-5, 7-3 B1G) vs. Nebraska (16-6, 6-5 B1G)
Feb. 4, 2024 // 5:30 p.m. CT // Champaign, Ill. // State Farm Center
TV: BTN – Dave Revsine (Play-by-Play), Robbie Hummel (Analyst)
Radio: Busey Bank Illini Sports Network – Brian Barnhart (Play-By-Play), Deon Thomas
Notables
Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Taliyah Henderson
Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting
February 4, 2023
Fresh off their road win Wednesday night against the Michigan Wolverines the Fighting Illini 77-64 avenging a devastating loss at home 84-48. The very next day the staff went out looking for the next prospect.
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