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Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst

January 29, 2024

Cole Rusk is the son of a former Illini wrestler and that family connection paid off when the FCS All American from Murray State decided to come back to his home state and play for the Illini for the next two years.  He's a tall and athletic tight end who plus the hole that Tip Reiman left, although in a different way.

What does he bring to the Orange and Blue?

Cole Rusk came to the college game as a wide receiver who was willing to learn to play tight end.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

January 29, 2024

The class of 2025 is off to a great start for the Fighting Illini football program in terms of recruiting. Today Bret Bielema and his staff received a commitment from Griffin Rousseau, a 6-foot-7, 325-pound offensive tackle from Stoughton, Wisconsin. Rousseau is the second 2025 recruit to pledge to the Illini this month, Michael McDonough is the other.

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

January 29, 2024

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at the big QB commitment for the 2025 class from a few angles.

(From Illinois' Sports Information Office) January 28, 2024 (Cover […]

Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst

January 28, 2024

Who's ready for recruiting 2024? Well, the Illini staff sure were. They nabbed their first recruit for the class of 2024 early when Tinley Park Andrew's Michael McDonough committed to the Illini last week.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

January 27, 2024

Illinois has one of the best prep basketball players in the state and country on campus. Gabe Sularski from Lisle is considered one of the top players in the country. 

At critical times of a 70-62 win for Illinois, Luke Goode became the physical definition of his value for the No. 10 Illini at same time showing this Indiana 2023-24 roster what they’re missing. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

January 27, 2024

CHAMPAIGN — The zero-sum game of Luke Goode wearing an Illinois jersey was hard to ignore Saturday afternoon. 

By IlliniGuys Staff January 27, 2024 (Cover photo courtesy […]

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

January 27, 2024

For years the depth and quality talent level at Illinois in the quarterback position is now on par with some of the other programs that are traditionally at the top of the conference.

Carson Boyd is a 6-foot-0, 170-pound signal caller from Cardinal Ritter College Prep school in Missouri has committed to the Fighting Illini football program.

Sources close to the Illinois football program have confirmed that George McDonald has left his wide receivers coach position as his alma mater to take the same title at Ole Miss.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

January 27, 2024

CHAMPAIGN — Three seasons after finally reuniting with Bret Bielema at his alma mater, George McDonald is leaving Illinois for the same title at a rising program led by Lane Kiffin at the University of Mississippi. 

247Sports.com reporter Matt Zenitz was the first to break the news and sources close to the Illini program confirmed the news to IlliniGuys.com soon afterwards. 

By Brad Sturdy, IlliniGuys Insider/Analyst & Co-Host, IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular

January 27, 2024

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

The Illini host the Hoosiers on Saturday afternoon at the State Farm Center as they look to bounce back from a difficult overtime loss at Northwestern. It’s Stripe the State Farm Day as well as the annual Coaches vs. Cancer game of sneakers and suits. But most importantly, it’s a game the Illini need to win to stay in the Big Ten hunt and get the momentum back they had back in December. 

The key to that will be defense. Illinois is one of the best offensive teams in the country, but since the Missouri game they are barely in the top 100 defensively. That has to change on Saturday.

Setting the Stage

#10 Illinois (14-5, 5-3 B1G) vs. Indiana (12-7, 4-4 B1G) 

Jan. 27, 2024 // 2 p.m. CT // Champaign, Ill. // State Farm Center 

TV: FOX – Jason Benetti (Play-by-Play), Robbie Hummel (Analyst) 

Radio: Busey Bank Illini Sports Network – Brian Barnhart (Play-By-Play), Deon Thomas

Notable

Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst

January 27, 2024

I know I'm going to be taking die hard Illini fans down a long and painful trip down memory lane with this list of names. What do these names have in common? Craig Wilson, Anthony Morris, Mark Jackson (all Class of 2007), Donsay Hardeman, Reggie Ellis, Hubie Graham, Cordale Scott (all 08), Earnest Thomas (10), Dondi Kirby, Clint Tucker (11), Joe Spencer, Dami Ayoola, Vontrell Williams (12), Caleb Day (13), Zarrian Holcombe (16), Dwayne Lawson, Mike Epstein (17), Reuben Unije, Verdis Brown (18), TreVon Riggins (20), Eian Pugh (22). 

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

January 26, 2024

The Fighting Illini football team offered Florida prep Bryan Auguste, a 6-foot-6, 285-pound offensive tackle of Monarch High School. Auguste is a three-star recruit in the class of 2025.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

January 25, 2024

Sunday afternoon Illinois played Big Ten conference foe, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights men's basketball team. Typically, Illinois has not had many potential recruits on campus. On Sunday, it had 2026 prep Anthony Thompson.

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

January 26, 2024

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at the first 2025 commitment and some more key names set to visit for Junior Day this weekend.