Football

By Zeno Jo - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

March 9, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy player's Instagram page)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Four years ago, he was a 19-year-old freshman holding a clipboard on the sideline while Michigan State pulled off an upset victory on the road over a No. 16 Fighting Illini football team. In just a few months, he’ll be under center for the Fighting Illini.

The journey to becoming a starting quarterback for a Big Ten program has taken an up, down, and around route for East Carolina transfer Katin Houser, but the former Spartan and Pirate seems to believe that he’s finally where he belongs.

“It’s exciting, it’s humbling,” Houser said on Wednesday during his first availability to local media. “I’m just really blessed to be here, I’m blessed to be here and be a part of the family.”

Houser said that towards the end of his redshirt junior season at East Carolina, he had already begun to consider entering the transfer portal. He had high market value. He led his team to an 8-4 record, and threw for 3,300 yards, 19 touchdowns, and six interceptions while also punching in nine rushing touchdowns before opting out of the Military Bowl and entering the transfer portal.

The transition to life in Champaign has been smooth, according to Houser, but that could have been expected back in January. Houser entered the portal on December 16, took his official visit on January 4, and committed later that day. The reason given for the quick decision is a buzzword that Bret Bielema uses frequently and is a response that the soon-to-be sixth-year head coach probably loved to hear.

By Steve Sturm - IlliniGuys Football Analyst

March 7, 2026

Last but not least among the Class of 2026 recruiting spotlights is Caden Considine from Byron. The son of former Iowa safety and 8 year NFL veteran Sean Considine, Caden was one of the most impressive high school players I've ever seen. He carried the load on both sides of the ball for Class 3A state champion Byron, with 2,119 yards on 175 carries and 40 touchdowns as a fullback on offense as well as 84 tackles and 3 interceptions on defense as a sort of hybrid linebacker/ safety on defense. Illinois announced Considine as a defensive back rather than a running back, which makes sense to me based on everything I can see. He also reports just a few top FCS offers as well as some MAC interest, which unfortunately also makes sense based on everything I see. However, I do like this addition at the very end of the recruiting cycle.

What does he bring to the Orange and Blue?
Like I mentioned above, Illinois is looking at Considine as a defender rather than a running back. So, while the majority of this highlight set involves Considine running past defenders who not only have a hard time getting a hand on him, they also have a hard time bringing him down, try to look past that. Byron was a dominant Class 3A team that was only challenged in one game this year, the state championship against Tolono Unity. I watched that game live and came away very impressed with Considine. He was unstoppable on offense, and the best chance Byron had to stop Tolono was if Considine was involved in the play. Byron is a very well-coached team though, and Considine's gaudy rushing numbers are not only a function of a great scheme and great blocking but also the fact that Byron was ahead by three touchdowns early in nearly every game so they were able to simply run, run, and run some more. If Considine is going to be seen on the offensive side of the ball though, it will be taking inside handoffs similar to the bread and butter play that you'll see again and again in these clips. He doesn't have the speed or quickness to be a regular running back in the Big Ten. As a power guy who runs with some determination and gets the ball in short yardage? Maybe. But put a pin in that because Brett Bielema has never employed a two play player at Illinois (at the same time) and I don't expect that to change with Considine.

http://www.hudl.com/v/2T5q6G

By Steve Sturm - IlliniGuys Football Analyst

March 6, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy player's X page)

Illinois is bringing in Bobby Hauck as the defensive coordinator and that they'll be shifting to the 3-3-5. That means different responsibilities for the linemen, linebackers and safeties, leaving only one position where the responsibilities will be unchanged: the cornerbacks.

Newcomers
This list starts with the transfer from Deuce Fillmore from Georgia State. Georgia State was the worst team in one of the worst conferences (Sun Belt), but Fillmore managed to put up a solid junior season in his only year there after two prior seasons at Mississippi Gulf Coast Junior College (the same school alma mater as Zy Crisler). Fillmore is a tough player who works hard, but he's short and his long speed will be a weakness in the Big Ten. I'd rather he play as a nickel safety than a corner, but as long as the Illini give him safety help over the top he should be ok. However, my preference for the starter opposite Juice Clarke next year is....

With spring practices slated to begin on March 23, the Illinois new defensive coaches have begun to tutor and mentally install the unique 3-3-5 defensive scheme to players and returning coaches.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

March 5, 2026

CHAMPAIGN — In his introductory media conference, Roger Cooper wasn’t about to try to convince the public that the defensive scheme Illinois is trying to install this offseason isn’t going to be a different experience for these players.

Cooper, who has brought to Champaign-Urbana from the Montana coaching staff that new Illini defensive coordinator Bobby Hauck left less than a month ago, knows this 3-3-5 style is a drastically different look than anything these Illini players and returning coaches from the 2025 season have been tasked to learn.

“It’s a different version of defense. We say it’s like the triple option version of defense,” Cooper said Thursday in his media conference inside the Smith Center in Champaign.

Cooper knows what these players and, more specifically, the returning Illinois defensive coaches are dealing with trying to understand a scheme they’ve never been associated with before. Before the 2022 season,

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Sr. Recruiting Analyst

March 4, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Yahoo! Sports)

Illinois football added another piece to its future recruiting class with a commitment from in-state defensive back Justin Johnson. The 2027 prospect becomes the second player to pledge to the Illini in the class, joining quarterback Kamden Lopati from Utah.

Johnson chose Illinois over several Big Ten programs, including Northwestern, Rutgers, Michigan State and Iowa State. Landing the in-state defensive back continues a recent emphasis for the Illini on keeping top Illinois talent at home.

Illinois cornerbacks coach Corey Parker led the recruitment for Johnson, a three-star prospect from Evanston Township. Parker has been active on the recruiting trail, building relationships with defensive backs across the Midwest and prioritizing versatile players who can fit the Illini secondary in the coming years.

Robby Hauck, the son of the new Illinois defensive […]

Mike Linehan is the third assistant coach from Bobby […]

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Sr. Recruiting Analyst

March 2, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy player's X page)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois secured an important piece of its 2027 recruiting class last July when West Valley City, Utah, quarterback Kamden Lopati gave an early commitment to the Illini. Months later, that pledge still stands, but the four-star signal caller has become a national recruiting priority as several powerhouse programs continue to pursue him.

Lopati committed early in the process, citing fit and trust in the Illinois staff. Even as other programs have intensified contact with him, his message about Illinois has remained consistent; he's committed.

"I'm grateful to all of the other schools for recruiting me; there was nothing wrong with them, I just felt that Illinois was a perfect fit for me and my family." He told IlliniGuys previously.

By Steve Sturm - IlliniGuys Football Analyst

February 28, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy MaxPreps)

The second of Illinois' late wide receiver additions was Jacob Harvey of Mt. Zion. Illinois had kept in contact with Harvey through the recruiting process and encouraged him to wait on a committable offer and he had been patient until he finally committed to Illinois State as a safety net. However, that commitment lasted exactly one day, as Harvey finally got an offer from the Illini the next day and flipped. Harvey has good size at 6'2 and 195 pounds and good speed as well with a documented 7.57 60 meter and 11.19 100 meter dash from his sophomore year track season, yet despite his tremendous production he had no reported offers from FBS schools (more on that later).

What does he bring to the Orange and Blue?

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Sr. Recruiting Analyst

February 28, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy player's X page)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – As recruiting for the class of 2027 begins to take shape across the country, the University of Illinois has turned its attention to Texas linebacker Anthony James, a fast-rising prospect who already has drawn significant Power Four interest. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound defender from La Marque, Texas, holds an Illinois offer and has scheduled an official campus visit for June 12-14. The Illini are showing strong interest in the Lone Star State's emerging defensive player.

IlliniGuys recently spoke with James about his relationship with Illinois and where the program stands in his early recruitment. According to James, Illinois linebackers coach Archie McDaniel and director of defensive player personnel Terry Hawthorne have built a strong rapport with him, especially after making a visit to see him.

"I'm excited to go see the campus.

Former Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer discussed at the NFL Scouting Combine how he’s preparing to begin his professional life for a role he’s never experienced in training camp - a backup.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

February 27, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Matt Stevens/IlliniGuys)

INDIANAPOLIS — Since he began playing on his first tackle football team at seven years old, Luke Altmyer has only been familiar with starting a season in one role - QB1.

So, for 14 of 15 years of his football life, it’s accurate to suggest Altmyer has walked into every training camp scenario with the idea and understanding that he would be the starter. Therefore, the interesting element the Mississippi native discussed Friday in his seven-minute media session at the National Football League Scouting Combine would be his mental approach to the very different role of opening his rookie season this summer as a backup quarterback on a professional team’s depth chart.

“I tell people now that whether I’m mopping floors, cooking food or being a Super Bowl winning quarterback, my job is to figure out a way to be the best I can be,” Altmyer said.

Altmyer, who ended his three-year tenure with the Illini as one of the most accomplished quarterbacks in program history and a two-time All-Big Ten Conference selection, said Friday he’s already spoken with NFL veteran quarterback Phillip Rivers about how the 23-year-old can provide immediate value to whatever team selects him this April.

“Obviously I want to play. I’m looking forward to playing. I know I can play and I know I can win. I’ve done that,” Altmyer said. “Regardless of where I’m at to begin with, I’ll be given a job and then it’s on me to do that job the best I can. Whether I’m doing the backup thing or running the show, I’ll need to somehow use the gifts I’ve been given.”

By Steve Sturm - IlliniGuys Football Analyst

February 26, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

As I write this, Aaron Henry has packed his bags for South Bend and Illinois is changing its defensive scheme under new defensive coordinator Bobby Hauck. One thing that's clear is that Illinois is looking at a rather bare cupboard in terms of linebackers. James Kreutz returns for his senior year and will be a starter and Joe Barna will be back as well, but after them you have to go all the way down to Grant Beerman and his 15 snaps to find the next most experienced linebacker. Let's try to make some sense of this!

Newcomers
Illinois added two linebackers in the portal and I think we'll see some productivity right away from both of them. The first new linebacker on board was Robert Edmonson of Colorado State, who will be a junior this year. Edmonson started the season deep on the depth chart for Colorado State but ended up with 335 snaps in Colorado's new 3-3-5 defensive scheme.

Former Illinois pass rusher Gabe Jacas will go through NFL scouting combine individual drills on Thursday afternoon including running the 40-yard-dash on NFL Network.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

February 25, 2026

INDIANAPOLIS — In his four seasons at Illinois, Gabe Jacas was lined up in a variety of ways.

If a National Football League personnel scout or executive wants to see the former Illini pass rusher line up as a stand-up edge rusher, there’s the 2022-23 and 2025 campaigns. You want to see the 260-pounder line up with his hand in the ground as a defensive lineman? Go ahead and pop in clips from the 2024 season.

The versatility of the jobs he took on is something Jacas hopes has already shown up before his arrival this week in Indianapolis for the NFL Scouting Combine where he’s likely to interview and talk with team executives throughout the next few days.

“I think my work in college shows (NFL) teams that I can add value as a edge rusher or kick inside as an interior player, basically whatever they add from me is something I’ve done,” Jacas said. “The ability to play all across the line does nothing but add to my value. It doesn’t really matter where you line up but you have to be able to play with extension, have active hands and feet. The skills with being able to use my hands to disrupt the pass game in many ways is a big weapon of mine.”

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema has formulated a professional model system that separates his on-field coordinators and assistant coaches from recruiting and player acquisition responsibilities.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer

February 25, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN — One of the first things that Bret Bielema did after he accepted the head coach position at the University of Illinois was determine which members of Lovie Smith’s coaching staff he would retain.

At the time, this assistant coach retention philosophy was spotlighted by Corey Patterson being announced as the program’s running backs coach for the 2021 season. During his time in Champaign under Smith’s tenure with the Illini, Patterson was seen as key to Illinois' recruiting efforts in the St. Louis area as he brought over two of the highest rated Illini recruits in the modern era, Isaiah Williams and Shammond Cooper, who played under Patterson at Trinity Catholic High School while Patterson was establishing itself as one of the top high school programs in the state of Missouri.

Patterson went from being a corporate accountant in 2016 to being considered one of the most valuable assistant coaches at a power conference college football program in a five-year span.

The decision by Bielema to retain Patterson was more so based in the idea of retention of a Illinois roster, especially Williams - seen as the program’s best offensive athlete at the time, that Bielema had just acquired and understood had the pieces for a foundation that would in 2022 turn into an eight-win campaign highlighted by a New Year’s Day bowl berth less than 24 months after Bielema arrived in Champaign-Urbana.

By Steve Sturm - IlliniGuys Football Analyst

February 24, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy player's X page)

Illinois added three new faces in the late signing period, so I'm catching up on writing about them. Leslie Mosley Jr. is the most interesting of the three in my opinion because he has a high ceiling and an odd history that explains his lack of offers. Illinois signed the 5'10, 160 pound Mosley over some mediocre offers from FCS schools despite his 52 catches for 1,001 yards and 10 touchdowns at Class 1A state champion Cardinal Newman. Mosley will join Cardinal Newman alumni Xavier Scott, Xanai Scott and Dylan Frechette at Illinois this fall so he'll have plenty of friendly faces.

What does he bring to the Orange and Blue?
As a senior, Mosley was an elite playmaker