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Jer'Zhan Newton had to wait an extra day to hear his name called in the 2024 NFL Draft but eventually went to the Washington Commanders with the 36th overall pick.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

April 26, 2024

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

Jer'Zhan Newton will begin his professional football career in the nation’s capital.

The Illinois defensive lineman was selected Friday night in the second round with the 36th overall pick. Newton’s pick means the Washington Commanders have taken Illini players in back-to-back years of the second round after they selected defensive back Jartavius ‘Quan’ Martin with the 47th overall pick in the 2023 National Football League Draft.

Newton was hopeful of being selected in the first round Thursday, which would’ve produced back-to-back years with a first round pick for the Illini program for the first time since Corey Liuget was taken No. 18 overall in 2011 and that was followed by Whitney Mercilus going 26th overall along with A.J. Jenkins being selected 30th overall in 2012. Devon Witherspoon was selected No. 5 overall by the Seattle Seahawks last April and used his first professional season to be the last Illinois alum to be named to the Pro Bowl in their rookie campaign since Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Dick Butkus. In 13 games played, Witherspoon has recorded 68 tackles, 3.0 sacks, a forced fumble and an interception returned for a touchdown. Witherspoon rotated between playing nickel cornerback and on the boundary but still managed to lead all rookies in passes defensed with 16, good enough for fifth in the league.

Illinois is in tie for fourth and 10 strokes behind first-day leader Northwestern as the Illini try to win its ninth straight league championship. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

April 26, 2024

If Illinois is going to continue its current streak of eight straight Big Ten men’s golf titles it’ll take a significant comeback effort. 

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting 

April 25, 2024

The Illinois spring football game attracted talented high school prospects, including 2026 prep Jacob Alexander, a 6-foot-4, 220-pound edge from Frankfort, (IL), from Lincoln-Way East High School.

Freshman Max Herendeen has gone from one of the […]

Illinois wing Marcus Domask announces on social media that he’s no longer eligible to play college basketball and will be focusing on his professional career. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

April 25, 2024

CHAMPAIGN — The nightly prayers of Illinois men’s basketball head coach Brad Underwood were apparently not answered to his liking as Marcus Domask is done with the collegiate game.

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

April 24, 2024

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at what’s next for the Illini after the tough loss of DL Nathaniel Marshall.

With an opening on his coaching staff, the recruitment of Orlando Antigua back to an Illinois program started with a check-up phone call by Illini head coach Brad Underwood. 

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

April 24, 2024

CHAMPAIGN — Not unlike the recruitment of a player, the acquisition of a well respected assistant coach back to the Illinois bench began with a simple question in a phone call from Brad Underwood.

“We’ve stayed in touch and I asked him. I reached out just to see what his interest level might be in terms of coming back to help an old friend,” Underwood said Tuesday morning in a media session from the Ubben Basketball Complex.

The seventh-year head coach at Illinois was pleasantly satisfied when Orlando Antigua didn’t immediately dismiss the notion of a return to Champaign-Urbana for a second stint on Underwood’s coaching staff.

Illinois head coach Brad Underwood confirmed last week at Gordyville that the athletics department has applied for a medical hardship waiver for Marcus Domask.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

April 24, 2024

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN — Using his exact words, Brad Underwood may be resigned to the fact that the medical hardship waiver request by Illinois for Marcus Domask could be down to a hope and a prayer.

After confirming last week at the Coaches vs. Cancer charity event at Gordyville USA in Gifford that the Illinois athletics administration had filed the waiver request for Domask, who will turn 24 years old in June, Underwood remained hopeful but not certainly optimistic at the return of the 6-foot-6 guard for the 2024-25 season.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting April 23, 2024 […]

Illinois head coach Brad Underwood hinted Tuesday morning Illini […]

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

 April 23, 2024

The Illinois football team is in a phase of growth, drawing the attention of potential recruits to Champaign ready to see the team firsthand. Illinois recently held its annual spring football game with several key recruits on campus.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

April 22, 2024

The Illinois men's basketball team is set to undergo significant changes for the upcoming season as another key player, Luke Goode, has announced his entry into the NCAA Transfer Portal. A senior hailing from Fort Wayne, Indiana, his 6-foot-7 frame, and sharpshooting abilities played a key role for the Illini this past season.

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

April 22, 2024

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at the Illini in the top four for an elite 2025 but also losing out it appears on two big targets.

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting April […]

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

April 21, 2024

College basketball season has faded into the offseason, the coaching staff at Illinois wasted no time diving into recruiting. Illinois women's basketball head coach Shauna Green showing her loyalty to high school talent, she hit the road this weekend to find more talent to add to her roster.