Football

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

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.

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?

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.

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.

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...

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. 

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.

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.

Mike Cagley, IlliniGuy November 7, 2021 Today's game was […]

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema is now 20-5 in Big Ten games in the month of November - a month he circles before the season ever starts. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

November 6, 2021

MINNEAPOLIS -- Personally, there’s a lot of months for Bret Bielema to enjoy but professionally there’s only one he shines the most in. 

  Premium Members Only. Please Subscribe To View The […]

  Premium Members Only. Please Subscribe To View The […]

The Illini are going to Minnesota to face the […]

Kirkland Chappell, IlliniGuys Writer

October 4, 2021

Illinois extended an preferred walk-on offer 2022 New Jersey kicker Will McManus.