Football

The Farrell Files Illinois - Massive Steal from Notre Dame & 2025 4-Star Update

The Farrell Files Illinois - Massive Steal from Notre Dame & 2025 4-Star Update

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

April 19, 2024

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll talk about a massive personnel steal from Notre Dame and a couple four stars in the 2025 class.

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Illinois Football Faces Departures as Players Enter Transfer Portal

Illinois Football Faces Departures as Players Enter Transfer Portal

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting & Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

April 17, 2024

With the transfer portal window opening beginning Tuesday and ending April 30, the Illinois football program has seen necessary attrition in order for Bret Bielema’s program to be active in this offseason.

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The Farrell Files Illinois - What to Make of Illini Portal Entries

The Farrell Files Illinois - What to Make of Illini Portal Entries

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

April 17, 2024

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll let you know if you should be concerned about the portal entries and whether DB recruiting needs to take a step forward.

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Newton Showcases Just Positional Drills in Pro Day Workout in Champaign

Newton Showcases Just Positional Drills in Pro Day Workout in Champaign

Former Illinois defensive lineman Jer'Zhan ‘Johnny’ Newton will be watching the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft on the evening of April 25 in Orlando with nearly 100 friends and family. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

April 16, 2024

CHAMPAIGN — Jer'Zhan Newton decided to use his pro day to prove to professional football personnel that quantity in the activity should be valued more than doing the quantity of skill work.

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Here’s Johnny: Newton Finally Conducting Pro Day Workout in Champaign This Morning

Here’s Johnny: Newton Finally Conducting Pro Day Workout in Champaign This Morning

Former Illinois defensive lineman Jer'Zhan ‘Johnny’ Newton will have his closed pro day workout inside the Irwin Indoor Facility on the University of Illinois campus. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

April 16, 2024

CHAMPAIGN — Jer'Zhan Newton has finally given himself the opportunity to solidify his status as a first-round selection in the 2024 National Football League draft. 

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The Farrell Files Illinois - Key Upcoming Visits

The Farrell Files Illinois - Key Upcoming Visits

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

April 15, 2024

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at a couple key upcoming visits for the 2025 and 2026 class and the positional needs in the portal.

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Bret Bielema on Northwestern’s 2024 & 2025 Stadium Announcement: ‘You can announce whatever you want’

Bret Bielema on Northwestern’s 2024 & 2025 Stadium Announcement: ‘You can announce whatever you want’

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema does not want his 2024 game at Northwestern to be played at Wrigley Field or any other venue that can't accommodate two working sidelines. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

April 14, 2024

CHAMPAIGN — Bret Bielema has a message for the folks at Northwestern University: Don’t try to schedule our 2024 game at Wrigley Field. 

The Illinois fourth-year head coach said Saturday he didn’t pay much attention to the announcement by Northwestern administration that they intend to build a temporary football field on the Evanston, Ill. campus for football, soccer, lacrosse games.

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Bret Bielema Details Post-Spring Transfer Portal Plan

Bret Bielema Details Post-Spring Transfer Portal Plan

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema stresses his aggressiveness in this post-spring portal window will be dictated by his own roster numbers. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

April 14, 2024

CHAMPAIGN — Bret Bielema’s acknowledged his own program’s scholarship crunch will likely dictate his ability to be aggressive in this post-spring transfer portal window will be determined by his own program’s scholarship numbers. 

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Anthony Johnson Quits Illini Football Team; Will Re-Enter Transfer Portal on Tuesday

Anthony Johnson Quits Illini Football Team; Will Re-Enter Transfer Portal on Tuesday

One of the Illini’s early December additions from the transfer portal has informed Illinois head coach Bret Bielema that he’ll be leaving Champaign for another program. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

April 13, 2024

CHAMPAIGN — Anthony Johnson’s tenure as a transfer portal addition at Illinois didn’t last five full months. 

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The Farrell Files Illinois - Key Visit Updates

The Farrell Files Illinois - Key Visit Updates

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

April 12, 2024

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at a surprising TE commit that hurts the Illini, an update on a key visitor and another visit coming that’s a surprise.

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The Farrell Files Illinois - 5-Star Nathaniel Marshall Update

The Farrell Files Illinois - 5-Star Nathaniel Marshall Update

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

April 10, 2024

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll take a look at the latest on in state 5-star EDGE Nathaniel Marshall and another young QB who likes the Illini.

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The Farrell Files Illinois - Hanging with the Big Boys and TE Updates

The Farrell Files Illinois - Hanging with the Big Boys and TE Updates

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

April 8, 2024

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at an example of Illinois staying in on an elite recruit and a couple TEs who could decide soon.

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Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Potential Illinois Football Recruit Jack Brown Embraces Family Legacy eyes the Illini 

Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Potential Illinois Football Recruit Jack Brown Embraces Family Legacy eyes the Illini 

Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

April 7, 2024

Illinois football fans, remember the name Jack Brown, he has strong ties to the University of Illinois: Brown, a standout tight end prospect from Francis Howell Central High School in St. Charles, Missouri (2027).

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Illini Pass Rusher Gabe Jacas Demanding More of Himself in 2024

Illini Pass Rusher Gabe Jacas Demanding More of Himself in 2024

Jacas, a Freshman All-American in 2022, is gaining comfort in his third positional coach in as many seasons in Champaign. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

April 7, 2024

CHAMPAIGN --- Gabe Jacas needed just three words to assess his 2023 season and he’s a tough grader on himself. 

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Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Dual-Threat Athlete Nasir Rankin Balances Football and Basketball Dreams with Illinois Offer

Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Dual-Threat Athlete Nasir Rankin Balances Football and Basketball Dreams with Illinois Offer

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting
April 4, 2024

Nasir Rankin, a multifaceted 6-1, 177-pound athlete hailing from Chicago, IL, has recently found himself getting the wish he wanted. As a standout talent from Whitney Young High School, this young prodigy has captured the eyes of recruiters with his prowess not just in one sport, but two.

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