Football

By Steve Sturm - IlliniGuys Football Analyst

March 18, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

You didn't think I'd skip over these guys did you? Of course not. I love special teams almost as much as I love line play. Besides, this is about as interesting an offseason in Illini special teams as we're ever going to get! There's competition at every major job, a new coach, and don't forget the impact of the new enormous video board!

Newcomers
I have to start with switch punter Jack Gray. We don't really know what we're going to be getting with Gray because as of this moment all you can see is videos from Pro Kick Australia and a ranking of 6th in the composite punter ratings for the Class of 2026. Even if you're evaluating by rankings though, they're are all over the place on Gray so its anyone's guess how he'll turn out. However, he's a fun guy to think about kicking at Illinois because of the ambipedal aspect (ambidextrous applies to hands, ambipedal applies to feet). Tennessee punter Jackson Ross is the only other ambipedal punter I've ever heard of, and though he's better with his right foot, he takes advantage of his special skill to kick with his left foot on situations where he can see that the return team has overcommitted to one side. As of right now the scuttlebutt is that he's for real and will be a factor at Illinois, but Memorial Stadium's wind tunnel has made or ruined many careers, and there's no way to prepare for it, and of course there's no substitute for in-game reps.

If Ethan Moczulski leaves and then comes back, is he really a newcomer? Well, don't think too hard about that because I decided to write about him here anyway. The good news with Moczulski is that he has a huge leg which allowed him to set the Illini record with a 63 yard field goal in 2024. The bad news is that he hasn't been consistent with that leg.

By Steve Sturm - IlliniGuys Football Analyst

March 15, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Joe Clark/IlliniGuys)

Illinois got a second big early addition to the Class of 2027 when Evanston Township defensive back Justin Johnson committed to the Illini over at least six other Big Ten offers as well as interest from around the country.  Johnson is a really big defensive back prospect who could fit all over the defensive backfield.  However, as you'll see, its rather hard to see where he fits into the Illini future because he played for a rough Evanston Township program that went 6-12 in the last two years.

What does he bring to the Orange and Blue?

Johnson is clearly a Big Ten football player.  His athletic ability stands out even against 8A competition and in case you were doubtful,

With scouts and professional personnel from all 32 NFL teams in attendance, former Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer’s final moments in Champaign was a complex throwing session.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

March 12, 2026

CHAMPAIGN — There is a time not that long ago where Luke Altmyer realizes that a pro day workout or a throwing session workout at the National Football League Scouting Combine might have overwhelmed his emotions.

Three years ago, Betsy Altmyer dropped off her son in Champaign hopeful he was on the road to being able to solve confidence and anxiety issues that go along with being a starter quarterback at a power conference program. On Thursday, Betsy was in attendance watching her 23-year-old conduct a full throwing workout in front of scouts from all 32 teams inside the Irwin Indoor Facility connected to the Smith Center.

“They dropped off a young man here a few years ago and I truly believe he transformed himself into a man,” Luke Altmyer said Thursday. “It’s taken some time but today was just another example of trying to make people believe that I’m the man for this job and I can do it whether it’s command a huddle, being an elite athlete and do everything needed to be a quarterback at this next level.”

By Steve Sturm - IlliniGuys Football Analyst' March 11, […]

By Zeno Jo - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

March 9, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy player's Instagram page)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Four years ago, he was a 19-year-old freshman holding a clipboard on the sideline while Michigan State pulled off an upset victory on the road over a No. 16 Fighting Illini football team. In just a few months, he’ll be under center for the Fighting Illini.

The journey to becoming a starting quarterback for a Big Ten program has taken an up, down, and around route for East Carolina transfer Katin Houser, but the former Spartan and Pirate seems to believe that he’s finally where he belongs.

“It’s exciting, it’s humbling,” Houser said on Wednesday during his first availability to local media. “I’m just really blessed to be here, I’m blessed to be here and be a part of the family.”

Houser said that towards the end of his redshirt junior season at East Carolina, he had already begun to consider entering the transfer portal. He had high market value. He led his team to an 8-4 record, and threw for 3,300 yards, 19 touchdowns, and six interceptions while also punching in nine rushing touchdowns before opting out of the Military Bowl and entering the transfer portal.

The transition to life in Champaign has been smooth, according to Houser, but that could have been expected back in January. Houser entered the portal on December 16, took his official visit on January 4, and committed later that day. The reason given for the quick decision is a buzzword that Bret Bielema uses frequently and is a response that the soon-to-be sixth-year head coach probably loved to hear.

By Steve Sturm - IlliniGuys Football Analyst

March 7, 2026

Last but not least among the Class of 2026 recruiting spotlights is Caden Considine from Byron. The son of former Iowa safety and 8 year NFL veteran Sean Considine, Caden was one of the most impressive high school players I've ever seen. He carried the load on both sides of the ball for Class 3A state champion Byron, with 2,119 yards on 175 carries and 40 touchdowns as a fullback on offense as well as 84 tackles and 3 interceptions on defense as a sort of hybrid linebacker/ safety on defense. Illinois announced Considine as a defensive back rather than a running back, which makes sense to me based on everything I can see. He also reports just a few top FCS offers as well as some MAC interest, which unfortunately also makes sense based on everything I see. However, I do like this addition at the very end of the recruiting cycle.

What does he bring to the Orange and Blue?
Like I mentioned above, Illinois is looking at Considine as a defender rather than a running back. So, while the majority of this highlight set involves Considine running past defenders who not only have a hard time getting a hand on him, they also have a hard time bringing him down, try to look past that. Byron was a dominant Class 3A team that was only challenged in one game this year, the state championship against Tolono Unity. I watched that game live and came away very impressed with Considine. He was unstoppable on offense, and the best chance Byron had to stop Tolono was if Considine was involved in the play. Byron is a very well-coached team though, and Considine's gaudy rushing numbers are not only a function of a great scheme and great blocking but also the fact that Byron was ahead by three touchdowns early in nearly every game so they were able to simply run, run, and run some more. If Considine is going to be seen on the offensive side of the ball though, it will be taking inside handoffs similar to the bread and butter play that you'll see again and again in these clips. He doesn't have the speed or quickness to be a regular running back in the Big Ten. As a power guy who runs with some determination and gets the ball in short yardage? Maybe. But put a pin in that because Brett Bielema has never employed a two play player at Illinois (at the same time) and I don't expect that to change with Considine.

http://www.hudl.com/v/2T5q6G

By Steve Sturm - IlliniGuys Football Analyst

March 6, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy player's X page)

Illinois is bringing in Bobby Hauck as the defensive coordinator and that they'll be shifting to the 3-3-5. That means different responsibilities for the linemen, linebackers and safeties, leaving only one position where the responsibilities will be unchanged: the cornerbacks.

Newcomers
This list starts with the transfer from Deuce Fillmore from Georgia State. Georgia State was the worst team in one of the worst conferences (Sun Belt), but Fillmore managed to put up a solid junior season in his only year there after two prior seasons at Mississippi Gulf Coast Junior College (the same school alma mater as Zy Crisler). Fillmore is a tough player who works hard, but he's short and his long speed will be a weakness in the Big Ten. I'd rather he play as a nickel safety than a corner, but as long as the Illini give him safety help over the top he should be ok. However, my preference for the starter opposite Juice Clarke next year is....

With spring practices slated to begin on March 23, the Illinois new defensive coaches have begun to tutor and mentally install the unique 3-3-5 defensive scheme to players and returning coaches.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

March 5, 2026

CHAMPAIGN — In his introductory media conference, Roger Cooper wasn’t about to try to convince the public that the defensive scheme Illinois is trying to install this offseason isn’t going to be a different experience for these players.

Cooper, who has brought to Champaign-Urbana from the Montana coaching staff that new Illini defensive coordinator Bobby Hauck left less than a month ago, knows this 3-3-5 style is a drastically different look than anything these Illini players and returning coaches from the 2025 season have been tasked to learn.

“It’s a different version of defense. We say it’s like the triple option version of defense,” Cooper said Thursday in his media conference inside the Smith Center in Champaign.

Cooper knows what these players and, more specifically, the returning Illinois defensive coaches are dealing with trying to understand a scheme they’ve never been associated with before. Before the 2022 season,

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Sr. Recruiting Analyst

March 4, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Yahoo! Sports)

Illinois football added another piece to its future recruiting class with a commitment from in-state defensive back Justin Johnson. The 2027 prospect becomes the second player to pledge to the Illini in the class, joining quarterback Kamden Lopati from Utah.

Johnson chose Illinois over several Big Ten programs, including Northwestern, Rutgers, Michigan State and Iowa State. Landing the in-state defensive back continues a recent emphasis for the Illini on keeping top Illinois talent at home.

Illinois cornerbacks coach Corey Parker led the recruitment for Johnson, a three-star prospect from Evanston Township. Parker has been active on the recruiting trail, building relationships with defensive backs across the Midwest and prioritizing versatile players who can fit the Illini secondary in the coming years.

Robby Hauck, the son of the new Illinois defensive […]

Mike Linehan is the third assistant coach from Bobby […]

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Sr. Recruiting Analyst

March 2, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy player's X page)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois secured an important piece of its 2027 recruiting class last July when West Valley City, Utah, quarterback Kamden Lopati gave an early commitment to the Illini. Months later, that pledge still stands, but the four-star signal caller has become a national recruiting priority as several powerhouse programs continue to pursue him.

Lopati committed early in the process, citing fit and trust in the Illinois staff. Even as other programs have intensified contact with him, his message about Illinois has remained consistent; he's committed.

"I'm grateful to all of the other schools for recruiting me; there was nothing wrong with them, I just felt that Illinois was a perfect fit for me and my family." He told IlliniGuys previously.

By Steve Sturm - IlliniGuys Football Analyst

February 28, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy MaxPreps)

The second of Illinois' late wide receiver additions was Jacob Harvey of Mt. Zion. Illinois had kept in contact with Harvey through the recruiting process and encouraged him to wait on a committable offer and he had been patient until he finally committed to Illinois State as a safety net. However, that commitment lasted exactly one day, as Harvey finally got an offer from the Illini the next day and flipped. Harvey has good size at 6'2 and 195 pounds and good speed as well with a documented 7.57 60 meter and 11.19 100 meter dash from his sophomore year track season, yet despite his tremendous production he had no reported offers from FBS schools (more on that later).

What does he bring to the Orange and Blue?

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Sr. Recruiting Analyst

February 28, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy player's X page)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – As recruiting for the class of 2027 begins to take shape across the country, the University of Illinois has turned its attention to Texas linebacker Anthony James, a fast-rising prospect who already has drawn significant Power Four interest. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound defender from La Marque, Texas, holds an Illinois offer and has scheduled an official campus visit for June 12-14. The Illini are showing strong interest in the Lone Star State's emerging defensive player.

IlliniGuys recently spoke with James about his relationship with Illinois and where the program stands in his early recruitment. According to James, Illinois linebackers coach Archie McDaniel and director of defensive player personnel Terry Hawthorne have built a strong rapport with him, especially after making a visit to see him.

"I'm excited to go see the campus.

Former Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer discussed at the NFL Scouting Combine how he’s preparing to begin his professional life for a role he’s never experienced in training camp - a backup.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

February 27, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Matt Stevens/IlliniGuys)

INDIANAPOLIS — Since he began playing on his first tackle football team at seven years old, Luke Altmyer has only been familiar with starting a season in one role - QB1.

So, for 14 of 15 years of his football life, it’s accurate to suggest Altmyer has walked into every training camp scenario with the idea and understanding that he would be the starter. Therefore, the interesting element the Mississippi native discussed Friday in his seven-minute media session at the National Football League Scouting Combine would be his mental approach to the very different role of opening his rookie season this summer as a backup quarterback on a professional team’s depth chart.

“I tell people now that whether I’m mopping floors, cooking food or being a Super Bowl winning quarterback, my job is to figure out a way to be the best I can be,” Altmyer said.

Altmyer, who ended his three-year tenure with the Illini as one of the most accomplished quarterbacks in program history and a two-time All-Big Ten Conference selection, said Friday he’s already spoken with NFL veteran quarterback Phillip Rivers about how the 23-year-old can provide immediate value to whatever team selects him this April.

“Obviously I want to play. I’m looking forward to playing. I know I can play and I know I can win. I’ve done that,” Altmyer said. “Regardless of where I’m at to begin with, I’ll be given a job and then it’s on me to do that job the best I can. Whether I’m doing the backup thing or running the show, I’ll need to somehow use the gifts I’ve been given.”