Football

Football Recruiting Spotlight on TJ Griffin

Football Recruiting Spotlight on TJ Griffin

Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst

November 11, 2021

Illinois added its second defensive commitment in two days with TJ Griffin from Palos Hills Stagg High School as the staff has gotten busy recruiting during the bye week.

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IlliniGuys - Illini vs Iowa Predictions

IlliniGuys - Illini vs Iowa Predictions

The Illini are going to Iowa City without head […]

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Meet The New (Temporary) Boss...Illini Acting Head Coach George McDonald

Meet The New (Temporary) Boss...Illini Acting Head Coach George McDonald

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema confirmed Tuesday evening he is currently in isolation as he begins the medical protocols after testing positive for coronavirus. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

November 18, 2021

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Fans of the Illinois football program should obviously be familiar with the acting head coach of their favorite team this weekend. 

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Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Denmark OL Moller talks about recruiting

Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Denmark OL Moller talks about recruiting

Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys.com Director of Recruiting

November 16, 2021

The Fighting Illini football program is taking its recruiting pitch to a new level, crossing the pond for a potential recruit.

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Bielema Tested Positive For COVID-19 Monday Evening; Illini Head Coach Currently in Isolation

Bielema Tested Positive For COVID-19 Monday Evening; Illini Head Coach Currently in Isolation

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema confirmed Tuesday evening he is currently in isolation as he begins the medical protocols after testing positive for coronavirus. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

November 16, 2021

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Bret Bielema confirmed Tuesday evening he is currently in isolation as he begins the medical protocols after testing positive for coronavirus. 

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BREAKING NEWS: Illini Head Coach Bret Bielema Tests Positive For COVID-19; Will Not Travel With Illini to Iowa This Weekend

BREAKING NEWS: Illini Head Coach Bret Bielema Tests Positive For COVID-19; Will Not Travel With Illini to Iowa This Weekend

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema has tested positive for […]

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Illinois Agrees to Multi-Year Extension With Defensive Coordinator Ryan Walters

Illinois Agrees to Multi-Year Extension With Defensive Coordinator Ryan Walters

Illinois announced a new three-year contract extension for defensive […]

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Recruiting: Illini Commit T.J. Griffin Talks To IlliniGuys

Recruiting: Illini Commit T.J. Griffin Talks To IlliniGuys

Each year in college football, there is a great story where some team will have a hidden gem, which means the coaching staff defied the star system and saw talent.

That is the case with the most recent Illinois commit T.J. Griffin.  The 6-foot-2, 190-pound defensive back was recently offered by Illinois and he proudly accepted it and is ready to let people know who he is.

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Recruiting: Spotlight on Terrell Jones

Recruiting: Spotlight on Terrell Jones

Illinois added its first in-season commitment Monday with Terrell Jones from football powerhouse Hoover, Alabama.  Jones is a late blooming defensive end who fills a real hole in this year's recruiting class after the loss of defensive end Brian Allen.  And, while I was disappointed to lose a solid player in Allen, I think Illinois came out on top with his replacement in Jones.

What does he bring to the Orange and Blue?

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The Trench Report: Minnesota

The Trench Report: Minnesota

Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst

November 9, 2021

If you've been reading this report through the year, then this week's big win over Minnesota shouldn't have been a big surprise.

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Recruiting: Illini Football Quickly Land Commitment From 2022 Chicagoland Athlete TJ Griffin

Recruiting: Illini Football Quickly Land Commitment From 2022 Chicagoland Athlete TJ Griffin

Less than a month after quickly sending out an offer to 2022 Chicagoland athlete Timothy “TJ” Griffin, the Amos Alonzo Stagg H.S. product made an immediate commitment decision.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

November 11, 2021

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Timothy Griffin certainly didn’t need a lot of time to make his decision to verbally commit to the University of Illinois football program.

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Recruiting: Illini Land 2022 3-star Alabama Pass Rushing DL Terrell Jones

Recruiting: Illini Land 2022 3-star Alabama Pass Rushing DL Terrell Jones

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Illinois has received a verbal commitment from an Alabama pass-rushing specialist defensive lineman who believes the coronavirus quarantine period was the best thing to happen to him.

The Illini landed Terrell Jones Monday evening, an up-and-coming prospect from one of the most historically dominant high school football programs in the state of Alabama. Jones, a three-star defensive lineman who has only been playing on the varsity level at Hoover High School for three seasons, gave his verbal pledge to the Illini’s 2022 recruiting class Monday evening. Jones arrived on Hoover’s varsity program as a 200-pound prospect...

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Matt Stevens Top 25 Ballot: Where You Are What Your Record Is

Matt Stevens Top 25 Ballot: Where You Are What Your Record Is

IlliniGuys football beat writer/analyst Matt Stevens does not have an Associated Press Top 25 ballot this season but if he did, this is how he'd fill it out.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

November 7, 2021

MINNEAPOLIS -- We all must applaud the folks at ESPN. No, I’m serious. 

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“Fathers know best”: How a Talk Between Bielema & Brandon Peters’ Dad Ignited the Illini QB

“Fathers know best”: How a Talk Between Bielema & Brandon Peters’ Dad Ignited the Illini QB

Without being able to connect and motivate his starting quarterback for months, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema sought the advice of the person who knows Brandon Peters best - his father.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

November 8, 2021

MINNEAPOLIS -- After spring practice, preseason camp and a few games in his first season at Illinois, Bret Bielema simply couldn’t figure out a way to motivate his starting quarterback.

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Embrace the Beauty Behind Bielema’s Ugly Wins

Embrace the Beauty Behind Bielema’s Ugly Wins

You want to complain and belittle Bret Bielema’s style of play by calling it ugly? Go ahead. The Illini first-year head coach considers it a compliment. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

November 7, 2021

MINNEAPOLIS -- For all the folks (some of which are paid contributors to this site) who are lamenting the fact that Bret Bielema just picked up an ugly win at Minnesota, here’s what you’re missing: Bret Bielema agrees with you.

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