Football

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

February 3, 2024

Three-star lineman Darrin Strey, a 6-foot-7, 285-pound offensive tackle from Paw Paw, Michigan, recapped his visit with Illinois last weekend. The Illinois staff did a great job of bringing recruits on campus for junior day. 

Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst

February 2, 2024

Illinois has just shown that it has a type at quarterback, right? If you're a high three-star QB who's a good athlete but also has good but not great throwing ability, you should expect a call from the Illini because that is the type of player Barry Lunney, Jr. has targeted with all three of his quarterback choices so far.

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

February 2, 2024

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at some big-name guys that Bret Bielema is trying to hang in with.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

February 1, 2024

One of the most convenient prep football players in the state of Illinois in the class of 2025 is Andre Lovett, an athlete from Blue Island, Illinois. The Illinois native was once again on campus, giving Illinois the attention and the Illini returning the level of excitement.

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

January 31, 2024

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at the new (and expected) commitment from OT Griffin Rousseau and another player on commit watch.

Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst

January 29, 2024

Cole Rusk is the son of a former Illini wrestler and that family connection paid off when the FCS All American from Murray State decided to come back to his home state and play for the Illini for the next two years.  He's a tall and athletic tight end who plus the hole that Tip Reiman left, although in a different way.

What does he bring to the Orange and Blue?

Cole Rusk came to the college game as a wide receiver who was willing to learn to play tight end.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

January 29, 2024

The class of 2025 is off to a great start for the Fighting Illini football program in terms of recruiting. Today Bret Bielema and his staff received a commitment from Griffin Rousseau, a 6-foot-7, 325-pound offensive tackle from Stoughton, Wisconsin. Rousseau is the second 2025 recruit to pledge to the Illini this month, Michael McDonough is the other.

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

January 29, 2024

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at the big QB commitment for the 2025 class from a few angles.

Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst

January 28, 2024

Who's ready for recruiting 2024? Well, the Illini staff sure were. They nabbed their first recruit for the class of 2024 early when Tinley Park Andrew's Michael McDonough committed to the Illini last week.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

January 27, 2024

For years the depth and quality talent level at Illinois in the quarterback position is now on par with some of the other programs that are traditionally at the top of the conference.

Carson Boyd is a 6-foot-0, 170-pound signal caller from Cardinal Ritter College Prep school in Missouri has committed to the Fighting Illini football program.

Sources close to the Illinois football program have confirmed that George McDonald has left his wide receivers coach position as his alma mater to take the same title at Ole Miss.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

January 27, 2024

CHAMPAIGN — Three seasons after finally reuniting with Bret Bielema at his alma mater, George McDonald is leaving Illinois for the same title at a rising program led by Lane Kiffin at the University of Mississippi. 

247Sports.com reporter Matt Zenitz was the first to break the news and sources close to the Illini program confirmed the news to IlliniGuys.com soon afterwards. 

Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst

January 27, 2024

I know I'm going to be taking die hard Illini fans down a long and painful trip down memory lane with this list of names. What do these names have in common? Craig Wilson, Anthony Morris, Mark Jackson (all Class of 2007), Donsay Hardeman, Reggie Ellis, Hubie Graham, Cordale Scott (all 08), Earnest Thomas (10), Dondi Kirby, Clint Tucker (11), Joe Spencer, Dami Ayoola, Vontrell Williams (12), Caleb Day (13), Zarrian Holcombe (16), Dwayne Lawson, Mike Epstein (17), Reuben Unije, Verdis Brown (18), TreVon Riggins (20), Eian Pugh (22). 

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

January 26, 2024

The Fighting Illini football team offered Florida prep Bryan Auguste, a 6-foot-6, 285-pound offensive tackle of Monarch High School. Auguste is a three-star recruit in the class of 2025.

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

January 26, 2024

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at the first 2025 commitment and some more key names set to visit for Junior Day this weekend.

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

January 24, 2024

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll break down the new hire at defensive back.