Football

As somebody who 16 years ago intentionally manipulated the […]

October 26, 2024 The Illini repeated the events of […]

After seven years and a coaching staff change, Illinois defensive line coach Terrance Jamison finally got seventh-year player Ezekiel Holmes to thrive in his positional group.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

October 25, 2024

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Terrance Jamison is one of the few people inside Illinois’ Smith Family Football Complex that remembers what Ezekiel Holmes looked like as a 17-year-old in 2017.

Seven years later, Holmes has been through one head coaching change, four defensive coordinator changes, six positional coach changes and two undergraduate degrees (graduated from the University of Illinois with degrees in sociology in Aug. 2022) and communication in Dec. 2023).

Amongst all this change, Jamison, the current Illinois defensive line coach since Jan. 2021, finally got his chance to coach the young man he met as a high school junior at Hirschi High School in Wichita Falls, Texas.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

October 25, 2024

Champaign, IL – In recent weeks, the Fighting Illini football program has hosted some of the nation's top recruits on campus, and the recent Michigan game was the perfect opportunity to bring in top prospects. Illinois secured a 21-7 victory over the Wolverines in a statement game all across Illini Nation.

Mike Cagley, Co-Host Sports Spectacular and Big Sports Radio […]

IlliniGuys.com discusses what changed from the second half performance vs. Purdue to the next week vs. Michigan and other unique situations after reviewing the 21-7 win over the Wolverines.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

October 23, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — While it has been only 663 days since Aaron Henry was officially named the defensive coordinator and play-caller at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and it’s a safe bet the lessons will continue to keep coming.

The takeaway from Henry after reviewing what he and his defensive staff executed during the open week following loss at Penn State is they found themselves doing the one thing Henry’s boss attempts to remind each staff member and player that comes through the Smith Family Football Complex.

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

October 22, 2024

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at a 2026 QB rising on the board, an update on 4-star Colorado DB commit Alex Graham after his visit and another potential flip.

October 22, 2024

(Cover photo courtesy Yahoo Sports)

Here's a look at some of the top headlines around the Big Ten:

Illinois third year outside linebacker Gabe Jacas knew Saturday would be special when Michigan offensive tackle Jeffrey Persi wouldn’t look the Illini pass rusher in the eye. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

October 22, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — In all likelihood Gabe Jacas knew the kind of game he was going to play on Saturday long before any of the sold-out crowd and his teammates. 

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

October 21, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Il. – The Illinois football program continues to build momentum, not just on the field, but on the recruiting front as well.

October 21, 2024 DALLAS (FWAA) – Florida Citrus Sports and Pop-Tarts […]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnIbZEY9TP0    

Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst

October 21, 2024

This really feels like a turning point, doesn't it? Illinois just won its third straight sellout game after losing the last eight. They did it by beating Michigan for the first time in 15 years.

Illinois sophomore tailback Kaden Feagin will miss the remainder of the 2024 season after undergoing hip surgery following a practice injury nearly two weeks ago. 

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

October 20, 2024

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Kaden Feagin’s 2024 season is over. 

After suffering a injury in practice just days before the 50-49 overtime victory over Purdue on Oct. 12, the leading rusher at Illinois had surgery on his left hip Friday that will require several months of rehabilitation. 

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema said the former four-star prospect and starting tailback on the Illini depth chart was told by the doctor, selected for the procedure after a consultation of the University of Illinois athletics department, Bielema and Feagin’s family, and Feagin’s mother Jennifer Feagin, that the procedure was successful. 

The week of his team playing Michigan is always going to be challenging for Bret Bielema but Saturday allowed him to address why that opponent conjures difficult memories in his life.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

October 20, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Unfortunately for Bret Bielema, the winged helmet of Michigan triggers things emotionally in the 54-year-old man that he’d rather not think about. 

Instead of ignoring or trying to hide his emotions of what playing the Wolverines program psychological means to his life, the fourth-year Ilinois head coach elected to address the matter directly in a team meeting. 

“In our first team meeting on Sunday, I told our guys that I’m battling some demons like probably more than you could ever possibly imagine,” Bielema said.