Football

By Steve Sturm -- IlliniGuys Football Analyst

December 24, 2021

Illinois added some a much-needed player to its depth chart on the defensive line the day before signing day with Te Rah Edwards, a defensive tackle who decided to transfer from Northwestern.  Edwards only entered five contests for Northwestern and totaled two tackles in that time, but he's going to be a very valuable addition to an Illini team that needed another big body in the middle of the defense in 2022 and beyond.

What does he bring to the Orange and Blue?

Illinois will not be headed to the postseason this […]

Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst

December 17, 2021

I decided to start my week of signing day spotlights with Isaiah Adams because I believe he's the one guy on this list that Illini nation is going to have to know about first.

IlliniGuys.com beat writer Matt Stevens answers subscriber questions related […]

Tommy DeVito is transferring 857 miles from Don Bosco Prep School in New Jersey, but his private QB coach says the Illini offense will “get Tommy back to his football roots”. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

December 19, 2021

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- By just introducing their offensive system this past season, the Illinois football program was recruiting Tommy DeVito without either party knowing it at the time. 

Illini head football coach Bret Bielema reflects on his […]

The marriage of Bret Bielema’s return to the Big Ten Conference at Illinois coincided with everything Donovan Leary wanted at the college level. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

December 17, 2021

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Tony Petersen was sold on Donovan Leary as the quarterback of the future for the Illinois program by watching him struggle. 

Bret Bielema’s Illini Program Flipped Gabriel Jacas’ Commitment on National Signing Day and beat SEC programs by doing it. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

December 17, 2021

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Radio silent. 

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- While it wasn’t exactly a mission from God, Bret Bielema’s first full recruiting class at his new program was built to put his version of the Illini band back together.

The 2022 recruiting class for the Illinois head coach was always going to have the look and foundation of what he wants this football program to be and early in this process it was the commitments of big, tough and athletic offensive linemen who stayed loyal throughout the fall months that will define the success or failure of this recruiting class.

“What is significant about this first class? I think it embodies what we believe in,” Bielema said in his Wednesday media conference. “We have a strong belief here in the importance of offensive linemen and defensive linemen. We need numbers…so to get (the offensive linemen) and have the chance to mold them was critical.”

Illini head football coach Bret Bielema and his staff […]

2022 Georgia prospect Tyson Rooks has parlayed one season […]

Gabriel Jacas, a three-star pass 2022 rusher from Fort […]

December 15, 2021

It's the day Bret Bielema has looked forward to since he was hired almost a year ago to the day; his first Signing Day after a full recruiting cycle.

It's a busy day full of excitement, as top prospects across the country - and the world - make good on their verbal pledges.  And the Illini's international recruit - 6'8", 300-pound offensive lineman Magnus Moller of Denmark - wasted no time getting his signed letter of intent into the Illinois football office just after midnight.

Check back with IlliniGuys.com and follow us on Twitter at @Illini_Guys for updates throughout the day!

Here are the newest Illini:

December 14, 2021

Illinois head football coach Bret Bielema is making waves in the recruiting business. Bielema built a house in Champaign, making it known this is his home state and he’s going to win at Illinois and plans to be here for a while.  And considering his history of putting offensive linemen in the NFL, any big man has to at least pause if Bielema or anyone on his staff places a call. 

Tuesday night, three-star OL Isaiah Adams, who stands 6-foot-6, 325 pounds, from Garden City Community College in Kansas, answered the call and committed to Bielema's Illini.

December 13, 2021

Illinois lost a 4 star grad transfer quarterback this year with the graduation of Brandon Peters, but Friday they added another one in Syracuse transfer Tommy DeVito.  DeVito was one of Dino Babers' first big recruit at Syracuse and he got off to a promising start before Babers benched him three games into this season for Mississippi State transfer Garrett Shrader.  Devito entered the transfer portal soon thereafter and Illinois made quick contact.

What does he bring to the Orange and Blue?