News: Illini PK Ethan Moczulski Enters Post-Spring Transfer Portal
Ethan Moczulski, who holds the record for the longest converted field goal in Illini football history, has filed paperwork to enter the post-spring transfer portal.
By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst
April 17, 2025
The player who holds the record for the longest field goal in University of Illinois football history has elected to do his kicking somewhere else for the remainder of his college eligibility.
Illini DB Tyler Strain Entering Post-Spring Transfer Portal
The 5-foot-9 Strain, a four-year player who redshirted in 2021, will have one season of eligibility remaining after missing the spring practice season following shoulder surgery.
By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst
April 17, 2025
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Tyler Strain has elected to play his final season of eligibility somewhere other than Illinois.
2026 In-State Commit Tony Balanganayi Will Play Defensive Line at Illinois
The plan is for 3-star 2026 prospect Tony Balanganayi from Palatine (Ill.) High School to transition to a full-time defensive lineman at the college level with the Illini.
By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst
April 17, 2025
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The newest commitment of the Illinois 2026 recruiting class will be started in Terrance Jamison’s defensive line room.
Ked's Recruiting Roundup: The State of Illinois Has Also Been Kind in Recruiting As Tony Balanganayi Commits
By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting April […]
Citrus Bowl MVP Josh McCray Plans To Transfer From Illinois
Illinois running back Josh McCray, who had 114 yards and two touchdowns, in the 21-17 victory over South Carolina in the Citrus Bowl, plans to enter the transfer portal.
By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst
April 15, 2025
The leading rusher of Illinois’ 2024 season and the most valuable player selection of the 2024 Citrus Bowl will not be on the Illini’s roster for the upcoming 2025 season.
Illini Spring Practice Report - Practice No. 13 - Corrections From Friday’s Scrimmage
Illinois uses a light-work Monday evening session to get corrections made from last weekend’s closed scrimmage session inside Memorial Stadium.
By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst
April 15, 2025
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Good evening and welcome to the 13th spring football practice for the Illinois program for the 2025 season in the fifth campaign of Illini head coach Bret Bielema.
This low-intensity 90-minute practice session was held in Memorial Stadium without players in shoulder pads (just spider pads) and no full-contact hitting. The session was attended by several high-dollar donating ICON members and several season-ticket holding members of the 77 Club.
Ked's Recruiting Roundup: Illinois Adds More Defensive Depth in the Secondary with Commitment from Almirian Thomas
By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting
April 14, 2025
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Once again, the state of Florida has delivered for the Illinois football program. Early this morning, defensive back Almirian Thomas announced his commitment to the Fighting Illini. While sources close to the program expected the decision, Thomas was so excited he couldn’t wait any longer to make his announcement public.
Ked's Recruiting Roundup: Illinois Receives Commitment From Florida LB Tony Williams
By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting April […]
New Illini Punter Keelan Crimmins Hoping He’s Found Team Success in Transfer Portal
Former Mississippi State and Purdue punter Keelan Crimmins represents the only new kicking member of the Illinois special teams unit for the 2025 season.
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
April 12, 2025
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Keelan Crimmins has done a lot of things as a two-year starting punter at two different programs in his college career since the then-22-year-old arrived in the United States from the highly popular Prokick Australia program.
Football Recruiting Spotlight on Javari Barnett
By Steve Sturm - IlliniGuys Football Analyst
April 10, 2025
Illinois continued its run of running backs from the Sunshine State when 6-foot, 205-pound Javari Barnett of Tampa Tech pledged to the Illini Sunday to break the Illini hoops stranglehold on recruiting news. Barnett drew early offers from some of the biggest names in college football early on, but when he sprained a knee ligament in the third game of his junior year the recruiters from schools like Alabama, Tennessee, USC and Penn State backed off while Illinois continued to make Barnett a priority. The continued attention paid off for the Illini with the commitment from the prototypical 21st century running back.
What does he bring to the Orange and Blue?
Florida Continues to Be Kind to Illinois as Illini Receive Commitment from Javari Barnett
Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting
April 6, 2025
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The state of Florida has been very kind to the Fighting Illini football program under the Bret Bielema era. On Sunday, Illinois received a commitment from Javari Barnett, a three-star running back from Tampa Bay, Florida.
Waiver Request For TeRah Edwards’ Sixth Season Denied by NCAA Eligibility Center
TeRah Edwards college football career is officially over after the NCAA Eligibility Center ruled the Illini defensive tackle does not qualify for a waiver exemption for the upcoming 2025 season.
By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst
April 3, 2025
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The waiver request submitted by the University of Illinois compliance office on behalf of defensive lineman TeRah Edwards was denied by the NCAA Eligibility Center.
In a university statement released Thursday morning, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema confirmed his office received the news of Edwards’ waiver appeal denial “last week”. Bielema said on March 13 during his Illini Pro Day media session inside the Smith Family Football Complex that paperwork has been filed to the NCAA Eligibility Center in order to potentially get Edwards another year of eligibility in college football.
Update on Illini Tight End Cole Rusk
By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting
March 30, 2015
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Former Rock Island standout Cole Rusk was an exceptional wide receiver in high school, but due to his 6-foot-5, 250-pound frame, he has developed into a major asset as a tight end.
Hopefully, he'll be able to do that for Illini Offensive Coordinator Barry Lunney Jr.'s system this fall.
How Matt Bailey’s “calming presence” Keys Illini Safety Room in 2025
Illinois doesn’t have many healthy safeties for the 2025 spring season is a major reason Bret Bielema doesn’t wish to participate in a intra-squad scrimmage due to depth concerns.
By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst
March 30, 2025
CHAMPAIGN — With all the offseason surgeries affecting the defensive backs, Illinois defensive coordinator Aaron Henry doesn’t have a robust list of healthy bodies this spring in his safeties and nickel cornerbacks meeting room.
2025 Spring Football Practice Report No. 2 (Practice No. 5): IHSA Coaching Clinic Night Provides Look For Some Surprise Risers For Illini
By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Good evening and welcome to the fifth spring football practice for the Illinois program for the 2025 season in the fifth campaign of Illini head coach Bret Bielema begins in the early hours at Memorial Stadium.
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