Football

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

January 7, 2025

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Recruiting at the Division I level often depends on rankings, scouting reports, and offers from other programs. However, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema takes a different approach—one rooted in hard work, personal evaluations, and a hands-on recruiting philosophy.

Bielema, known for his "Tough, Smart, Dependable" (TSD) approach within his program, emphasizes old-school methods over analytics and external opinions. Unlike many head coaches who delegate recruiting trips to assistants, Bielema personally evaluates potential players.

Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst

December 7, 2024

Lost among all the news of Illinois players transferring to Champaign or returning for another year in 2025 was the second orange and blue commit of 2026: Edge rusher Kingston Shaw of Apopka (Florida).

Illinois outside linebacker/pass rusher Gabe Jacas has decided to […]

Illinois two-year starter and 2024 first-team All-Big Ten defensive back Xavier Scott has decided to return to the Illini for his final season of college football.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

January 5, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Xavier Scott has decided to play one season of college football with his younger brother.

Mike Cagley, Co-Host of the IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular & […]

After an NCAA ruling and a Christmas Eve visit from Illinois head coach Bret Bielema, Illini offensive tackle J.C. Davis has elected to return to Champaign for the 2025 season.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

January 4, 2025

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Thanks to a late NCAA ruling and a Christmas Eve visit from Illinois head coach Bret Bielema, J.C. Davis has elected to pass on the National Football League in exchange for one more season of college football.

Davis, who started all 12 games at left tackle after his arrival from the University of New Mexico and was a All-Big Ten selection this past season, announced his decision on Instagram and X/Twitter Saturday evening.

By Steve Sturm - IlliniGuys Football Analyst

January 4, 2025

Illinois marked a big item off its portal shopping list for the offseason when West Virginia Wide Receiver Hudson Clement signed with the Illini on Thursday. 

Clement is an interesting story because he didn't have any Division I offers at all coming out of a small school in West Virginia.  However, late in the process Clement got an offer to walk on at West Virginia and gambled on himself.  He redshirted and got quite a bit more muscular and then impressed the staff enough to earn a starting job mid-season which quickly turned into a scholarship after scoring the game winning touchdown against Houston that year. 

By Steve Sturm - IlliniGuys Football Analyst

January 3, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

To quote Justin Stepp in a tweet one morning this week: "I woke up feelin the cheesiest coach!". 

What a great win for Illinois.  That was definitely the biggest Illini win since 2007 at Ohio State, and potentially a program changing day that we can all hold onto forever.  South Carolina was very overrated as a 10 point favorite, but I wouldn't have argued with anyone who said they were still a distinct favorite in this game given their work through the season and strong fanbase that only had to drive to the game.  Still, Illinois controlled the action throughout and but for a few officiating oddities, they would have won by more.

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

January 3, 2025

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois’ recent trip to Orlando for the Citrus Bowl was about more than just football — it was a business trip as well. Under the leadership of four-year head coach Bret Bielema, the Fighting Illini have continued their recruiting efforts in the Sunshine State.

On New Year’s Day, Illinois received a surprise commitment from Kingston Shaw, a 2026 three-star edge rusher from Apopka, Florida. Shaw expressed his excitement about Illinois on Twitter:

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

January 2, 2025

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois football enjoyed a season for the ages this year and that continues to show in their recruiting in the transfer portal.

Thursday morning, word leaked that West Virginia wide receiver Hudson Clement is heading to Illinois. Clement, a 6-foot-1, 198-pound sophomore from Martinsburg, West Virginia, becomes the latest addition to the Fighting Illini, according to On3 reporter Pete Nakos.

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

January 1, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy player's Instagram page)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Early Wednesday morning marked a great start to 2025 for Illinois football fans as the team landed an unexpected commitment from three-star recruit Kingston Shaw from Apopka, Florida.

Illinois defensive players have seen and heard what has been said and written about their defensive coordinator over two years. They now hope this 2024 Citrus Bowl flips criticism into belief.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

January 1, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Matt Stevens/IlliniGuys)

ORLANDO, Fla. — Following what is arguably the most disciplined and physically dominant defensive performances in the last two seasons, Aaron Henry’s players weren’t done proving a point.

The leadership amongst the near two dozen Illinois defensive players who played snaps during the 21-17 win over South Carolina in the 2024 Citrus Bowl were intent on sending a post-game message as well.

Illinois tailback Josh McCray, who was part of the tailback duo involved in the birth of ‘Barge’ package three years ago at Penn State was named the Citrus Bowl MVP running behind the massive set.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

January 1, 2025

ORLANDO, Fla. — Illinois used its 2024 Citrus Bowl win to prove the Bret Bielema old-school classic run scheme will never go out of style.

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

January 1, 2025

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The state of Florida continues to be a valuable pipeline for the Illinois football program. On Tuesday in Orlando, the Illini secured a 21-17 Citrus Bowl victory over South Carolina.

The momentum carried into the new year as Illinois landed a significant recruit this morning. Kingston Shaw, a three-star edge rusher from Apopka, Florida, announced his commitment to the Illini. The 6-foot-4, 225-pound athlete chose Illinois over offers from Mississippi State, Arkansas, Marshall, Toledo, and Buffalo.

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema accuses South Carolina of doing an immoral and unsafe trick play while Gamecocks head coach calls Bielema’s gesture ‘bush league’.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

January 1, 2025

ORLANDO, Fla. — Don’t try to tell the two head coaches in the 2024 Citrus Bowl that the results in a non-College Football Playoff game simply don’t matter.

Both Illinois head coach Bret Bielema and South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer turned their competitive edge up to another level on New Year’s Eve in a situation that boiled over with just over one minute left in the third quarter.