Football

The Farrell Files Illinois - Key Visit Updates

The Farrell Files Illinois - Key Visit Updates

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

April 12, 2024

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at a surprising TE commit that hurts the Illini, an update on a key visitor and another visit coming that’s a surprise.

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The Farrell Files Illinois - 5-Star Nathaniel Marshall Update

The Farrell Files Illinois - 5-Star Nathaniel Marshall Update

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

April 10, 2024

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll take a look at the latest on in state 5-star EDGE Nathaniel Marshall and another young QB who likes the Illini.

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The Farrell Files Illinois - Hanging with the Big Boys and TE Updates

The Farrell Files Illinois - Hanging with the Big Boys and TE Updates

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

April 8, 2024

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at an example of Illinois staying in on an elite recruit and a couple TEs who could decide soon.

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Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Potential Illinois Football Recruit Jack Brown Embraces Family Legacy eyes the Illini 

Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Potential Illinois Football Recruit Jack Brown Embraces Family Legacy eyes the Illini 

Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

April 7, 2024

Illinois football fans, remember the name Jack Brown, he has strong ties to the University of Illinois: Brown, a standout tight end prospect from Francis Howell Central High School in St. Charles, Missouri (2027).

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Illini Pass Rusher Gabe Jacas Demanding More of Himself in 2024

Illini Pass Rusher Gabe Jacas Demanding More of Himself in 2024

Jacas, a Freshman All-American in 2022, is gaining comfort in his third positional coach in as many seasons in Champaign. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

April 7, 2024

CHAMPAIGN --- Gabe Jacas needed just three words to assess his 2023 season and he’s a tough grader on himself. 

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Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Dual-Threat Athlete Nasir Rankin Balances Football and Basketball Dreams with Illinois Offer

Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Dual-Threat Athlete Nasir Rankin Balances Football and Basketball Dreams with Illinois Offer

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting
April 4, 2024

Nasir Rankin, a multifaceted 6-1, 177-pound athlete hailing from Chicago, IL, has recently found himself getting the wish he wanted. As a standout talent from Whitney Young High School, this young prodigy has captured the eyes of recruiters with his prowess not just in one sport, but two.

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The Farrell Files Illinois - 2025 Prospect Notes

The Farrell Files Illinois - 2025 Prospect Notes

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

April 5, 2024

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I have notes on a few 2025 prospects.

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Andre Lovett Likely In Commit-Recruiter Position for Bielema’s 2025 Recruiting Class

Andre Lovett Likely In Commit-Recruiter Position for Bielema’s 2025 Recruiting Class

Illinois three-star 2025 commitment Andre Lovett from Eisenhower High School in Blue Island will likely be asked to sway uncommitted targets for the next several months. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

March xx, 2024

Judging from the history of how this Illinois football staff has approached each of its first three full recruiting classes, Andre Lovett is about to become a key component to the upcoming recruiting class. 

Lovett, who became the program’s fourth commitment to the 2025 recruiting class, will likely be the poster boy of the latest high school player acquisition of Bret Bielema’s operation. 

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The Farrell Files Illinois - QB & TE News

The Farrell Files Illinois - QB & TE News

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

April 2, 2024

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll share some good news regarding a young QB but some bad news regarding a 2026 TE I just mentioned.

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Former Illini & NFL Cornerback Vontae Davis Dies at 35

Former Illini & NFL Cornerback Vontae Davis Dies at 35

Davis was a two-time All-Big Ten selection and a […]

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Illini DB Coach David Gibbs Resigns After Just 70 Days Due to Medical Issue

Illini DB Coach David Gibbs Resigns After Just 70 Days Due to Medical Issue

Just over two months after being hired, David Gibbs […]

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The Farrell Files Illinois - Talented Teammates Looking at Illinois

The Farrell Files Illinois - Talented Teammates Looking at Illinois

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

April 1, 2024

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at a couple of teammates in play for the Illini from the 2025 and 2026 classes.

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Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Chicago Simeon Prep Cornell Conely Awaits Potential Offer from Illinois

Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Chicago Simeon Prep Cornell Conely Awaits Potential Offer from Illinois

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

March 27, 2024

Cornell Conley, a rising star from Simeon High School in Chicago, Illinois 2026, is making waves in the world of high school football. As a dynamic 5-8, 170-pound wide receiver, Conley has caught the attention of Illinois.

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The Farrell Files Illinois - Key QB Targets & Illini Making the Cut for a Chicagoland Star

The Farrell Files Illinois - Key QB Targets & Illini Making the Cut for a Chicagoland Star

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

March 27, 2024

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at a couple of key quarterback targets and news regarding each as well as the Illini continuing to make the cut for a local.

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Football Recruiting Spotlight on Xanai Scott

Football Recruiting Spotlight on Xanai Scott

Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst

March 25, 2024

Illinois followed up an intense recruiting victory for safety Andre Lovett with a fairly easy recruiting win for another safety: Xanai Scott from Cardinal Newman High School in West Palm Beach. As you might guess from the similar name and hometown, Xanai is the brother of current Illinois nickel safety Xavier Scott. I wrote that this was an easy recruiting win for a couple of reasons:

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