Football

By Zain Bando - IlliniGuys Student Correspondent April 28, […]

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys.com Director of Recruiting

April 26, 2022

Quarterback Belay Brummel has recently picked up some big-time interest from this state university.

With many of the state of Illinois' top prospects now committing to the Illini, that culture head coach Bret Bielema talked about is starting to form, just like he had hoped.

Brummel is a 6-foot-2, 180-pound class of 2023 signal caller who has an interest in Illinois.

"Haven’t received an offer yet. They’ve brought it up in conversation very frequently, but I believe they would like to watch me throw a little more before offering. That's the feeling I got on my unofficial (earlier this month)," Brummel said.

By Steve Sturm - IlliniGuys Football Analyst

Apil 18, 2022

(Cover photo courtesy Vanderbilt Athletics)

The Fighting Illini added some size and experience to the defense line when Vanderbilt defensive tackle Rashaan Wilkins, Jr. decided to come to Champaign.  Wilkins was a two-year starter at Vanderbilt and figured to remain the starter at the SEC school but decided to enter the transfer portal when Vanderbilt made a coaching change.

Wilkins has taken a very unlikely route from Chicago to Champaign.  He started high school at Mt. Carmel in Chicago as a 6'2, 180 pound wide receiver.  He grew to 6'3, 240 pounds and excelled at both outside linebacker and tight end, but only showed enough to earn Division III offers coming out of high school.  Wilkins took the offer from nearby Wisconsin-Stevens Point.  Wilkins played two games at tight end and caught two passes, but injured his ankle and decided to save that year of eligibility and transfer to Monterey Peninsula Junior College in California.  Wilkins excelled at Monterey and ate his way to a sturdy 300 pounds. That brought the attention of several Division I programs and Wilkins selected Vanderbilt.  Wilkins earned steady playing time in his two years at Vanderbilt but decided to finish his career closer to home in Champaign, and Illinois is quite fortunate that he did.

Illinois is swept at home in its Saturday doubleheader […]

Illinois bullpen gives us seven earned runs over final […]

Illinois picks up its first post-spring game verbal commitment with former junior college and FCS cornerback Terrell Jennings. 

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

April 23, 2022

CHAMPAIGN -- The journey for Terrell Jennings began as a nationally ranked rugby player and will likely end in a Illinois football jersey.

Jennings, who has gone from junior college in California to Football Championship Subdivision programs University of North Dakota and Minnesota State University, committed Friday morning to the Illini program as an instantly eligible graduate transfer for the upcoming 2022 season. 

Jennings, a 6-foot-1, 195-pound defensive back, is expected to immediately add to the Illini’s cornerback depth that will also include projected starters Devon Witherspoon and Tahveon Nicholson and battle with redshirt freshmen Tyler Strain and D.D. Snyder for depth positions or could challenge for the nickel cornerback spot when he arrives back in Champaign in July. 

In a phone interview Friday evening with IlliniGuys.com, Jennings confirmed he was on the Memorial Stadium sidelines during the Orange-Blue spring game and elected before he left two to end his recruitment after entering the portal less than two weeks ago. 

Illinois moves into a tie of first place in […]

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By Zain Bando - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

(Cover photo courtesy Zain Bando/IlliniGuys)

CHAMPAIGN, IL – Bret Bielema addressed the media after Thursday’s spring football game, as the White team prevailed 58-40 behind three touchdowns passes from Syracuse transfer quarterback, Tommy DeVito, along with two of them going to newly-minted wide receiver, Isaiah Williams.

Bielema had a lot of high praises, especially when it came to his new quarterback.

“Offensively, I liked the way Tommy handled the huddle. We've always known that he has a live arm.... dynamic,” Bielema said.

The old ball coach made it clear, however, that it’s DeVito’s job to lose once the summer hits, hinting at when Art Sitkowski might return from his shoulder injury.

“When we start in June, Art Sitkowski will be a full go,” he said.

Bielema also enjoyed the swagger of Kendall Smith, a defensive back who has been through the ups and downs of the program’s current rebuild.

Tommy DeVito shined with three touchdown passes but the Illinois starting quarterback question will still depend on seeing Art Sitkowski actually throw a football. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

April 21, 2022

CHAMPAIGN -- The good and bad news for Bret Bielema is he couldn’t name a starting quarterback following the spring game even if he wanted to do so. 

Zain Bando, IlliniGuys Student Correspondent

April 21, 2022

Quarter-by-quarter impressions from the IlliniGuys first Student Correspondent.

IlliniGuys.com guides you through some of the critical items worth paying attention to in the Illinois spring football game on Thursday night. 

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

April 20, 2022

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN -- The spring game is usually nothing more than a television event led by marketing expert/Illinois head football coach Bret Bielema and one should not need further proof of this statement than last season’s version. 
The Big Ten Network sideline reporter tossed a completed pass for a two-point conversion. The two highlighted receivers were Carlos Sandy and Khmari Thompson, both of whom managed to catch a total of four passes in the following 2021 season. The quarterback who shined injured himself on the first drive of the 2021 opener vs. Nebraska. Caleb Griffin went 3-for-3 in a field goal shootout and didn’t record a single field goal attempt in the following season.
So, yes, there are elements of the Orange-Blue spring game at Illinois that should be taken in context as simply just a celebration of anticipation and hope for the upcoming fall season. However, while you’re playing to attend the free event on Thursday evening at Memorial Stadium or watch on BTN, we at IlliniGuys.com wanted to come up with four elements that might be worth your valuable time. 

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

April 19, 2o22

EDITORS NOTE: There was no media viewing of today’s practice so there’s nothing I can provide from an observational standpoint before we enter the Orange-Blue spring game on Tuesday. I just thought I’d use this space to set you up for why this spring game will likely look different than the one in 2021.

CHAMPAIGN -- Compared to when they left Memorial Stadium last spring, the one universal feeling of the entire Illinois football coaching staff this April is one of more comfort.

With just over 48 hours until the second version of the Orange-Blue spring game at Memorial Stadium, the Illini staff seems better suited to know what they have from an execution, depth and weaknesses standpoint in 2022.

“The amount of mental errors you get in this spring as compared to last year is way down,” Illinois defensive coordinator Ryan Walters said Tuesday morning. “I think everybody has a higher functioning level in terms of situational football. So, I think now you’re seeing guys not solely focusing on their assignment but now also reacting to what the offense is doing. This all what comes with year two of a scheme.”

The last spring game was the last time Illini fans got to see Isaiah Williams at quarterback as a less-than-stellar performance behind center led to a move to wide receiver. Calvin Hart Jr. was buried on the second-team defense with Tarique Barnes in the spring game after a early penalty in the contest but by the season opener against Nebraska, Hart was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week before a season-ending knee injury. In this 2022 version of the spring game, Hart and Barnes, who have been paired as roommates since Hart arrived from North Carolina State, will lead the calls of Walters’ defense.

By Steve Sturm - IlliniGuys Football Analyst

Apil 18, 2022

(Cover photo courtesy Vanderbilt Athletics)

The Fighting Illini added some size and experience to the defense line when Vanderbilt defensive tackle Rashaan Wilkins, Jr. decided to come to Champaign.  Wilkins was a two-year starter at Vanderbilt and figured to remain the starter at the SEC school but decided to enter the transfer portal when Vanderbilt made a coaching change.

Wilkins has taken a very unlikely route from Chicago to Champaign.  He started high school at Mt. Carmel in Chicago as a 6'2, 180 pound wide receiver.  He grew to 6'3, 240 pounds and excelled at both outside linebacker and tight end, but only showed enough to earn Division III offers coming out of high school.  Wilkins took the offer from nearby Wisconsin-Stevens Point.  Wilkins played two games at tight end and caught two passes, but injured his ankle and decided to save that year of eligibility and transfer to Monterey Peninsula Junior College in California.  Wilkins excelled at Monterey and ate his way to a sturdy 300 pounds. That brought the attention of several Division I programs and Wilkins selected Vanderbilt.  Wilkins earned steady playing time in his two years at Vanderbilt but decided to finish his career closer to home in Champaign, and Illinois is quite fortunate that he did.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

April 16, 2022

CHAMPAIGN -- Illinois conducted its first team drill spring work in front of a small number of season ticket holders and media Saturday.