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By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys.com Director of Recruiting

December. 8, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

It is December and college basketball season, right? Well, yes, but it also means it is the month when football teams can go out to recruit and bring potential prospects on campus. 

The National Signing Day is only a couple of weeks away and the Illinois staff is trying to secure the players already committed and also to lock up a few more potential prospects.

These are the recruits expected to be on campus this weekend, but according to a source, there might be a few late additions:

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

December 7, 2023

Yale football transfer Clay Patterson updated his commitment to Illinois with IlliniGuys today. Clay Patterson is a 6-foot-3 defensive lineman from Frisco, Texas. Patterson committed to Illinois last Saturday via his X page.

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

December 8, 2023

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at a few more key portal targets and a few JUCO players to keep an eye on as Illinois continues to try to upgrade in the trenches.

"Illinois deserves all the credit for allowing Terrence to showcase his skills." – Treanette Redding

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys.com Director of Recruiting

Dec. 7, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

"Illinois deserves all the credit for allowing Terrence to showcase his skills." –Treanette Redding

Last Saturday at Jersey Mike's Arena in Piscataway, New Jersey, my IlliniGuys colleague Brad Sturdy informed our subscribers of at least five NBA teams in attendance watching senior Terrence Shannon Jr. and Coleman Hawkins.  That got my wheels spinning and got me digging more into what is possibly to happen for Shannon specifically.   

Of the NBA's 30 teams, 28 of them were in attendance Tuesday night

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

December 7, 2023

For the past two summers, Illinois athletic director Josh Whitman has raved about the way head football coach Bret Bielema has been able to retain players in the program in the wild world of the transfer portal. 

As Illinois approaches the Big Ten Conference opener this weekend against Michigan, Illinois head coach Shauna Green still has concerns about her team on the defensive end. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

December 6, 2023

CHAMPAIGN — The idea that Northern Kentucky had trouble finding any perimeter success Wednesday night did not make Illinois’ second-year head coach feel satisfied in the final tune-up before Big Ten Conference play. 

Mike Cagley, Co-Host Sports Spectacular and Big Sports Radio […]

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

December 6, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Peyton Sturdy)

The Illini got 33 points each from Marcus Domask and Terrence Shannon as they beat #11 FAU in a shootout at the Garden as a part of the Jimmy V Classic 98-89.  Domask scored 25 points and Shannon 24 in the 2nd half as Illinois turned a 3-point halftime deficit into an 11-point lead with 8:33 to play en route to the 9-point win. 

The Illini are now 7-1 and have that signature non-conference win over a team that was 35-4 a year ago and reached the Final Four. Here’s a look at what we saw. 

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

December 6, 2023 

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

The defensive line depth issue on the Illinois 2024 roster became even more critical on Wednesday morning. 

Sedarius McConnell, who was projected to compete this coming spring for a starting position next season, announced via social media his intention to enter the transfer portal. The 280-pound defensive linemen, who has value at both end and tackle depending on the scheme, played in all 12 games last season with seven tackles. According to Pro Football Focus data, McConnell played 183 snaps of action in the 2023 campaign and with the loss of projected NFL draft picks Jer'Zhan Newton and Keith Randolph Jr. along with starting nose tackle Denzel Daxson and backup defensive linemen Bryce Barnes, McConnell’s role would’ve likely grown starting this spring. 

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

December 6, 2023

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at a huge portal commitment and update the 2024 QB situation for the last time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmD1D0MIZFA    

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer December 5, 2023 NEW […]

Brad Sturdy, Co-Host Sports Spectacular & Big Sports Radio and Resident Illini-Uber Insider on the Illini Sports Beat

December 5, 2023

Brad Sturdy has been covering the Illini for decades. When it comes to talking to NBA Scouts and people around the country who are the movers and shakers in college basketball, few local team reporters have the depth and breadth of contacts that Brad has. 

Today is one of those days that we can highlight an example of the "nuggets" that Brad regularly provides to the subscribers of IlliniGuys.com back on our message boards. 

Don't miss what's coming this basketball season - subscribe now and get the free sweatshirt as part of our Black Friday promotion. 

What Sturdy's hearing in the Big Apple 

Brad Sturdy, Co-Host Sports Spectacular and Big Sports Radio

December 5, 2023

After a huge win over Rutgers on Saturday the Illini are back in action on Tuesday night against the Florida Atlantic Owls. The Owls return virtually everyone from a Final Four team a year ago and will be a significant test for the stellar Illinois defense. As part of the Jimmy V Classic, this game at Madison Square Garden is a chance for Illinois to make a statement on the national stage. 

Here’s a look at the particulars. 

 Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

December 5, 2023

The Illinois football staff appears to be locked in with Tyrane Stewart, a cornerback from Magnolia, Mississippi. Now the 6-foot-1, 180-pound cornerback attends East Mississippi C.C. and received an offer from Illinois last week.