For Justin Stepp’s Illini Wide Receivers, Knowledge is Power
Illinois trying to find more positional flexibility in their wide receiver room as they look to replace two departing starters from the 2023 squad.
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
August 7, 2024
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — When Justin Stepp goes to the whiteboard in his wide receiver meeting room, there’s a particular reason he’s drawing two or three circles depending on the particular formation.
The Farrell Files Illinois - A Top 2026 Target & Potential 2025 Flip
Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys & Big Sports Radio National Football Recruiting Expert
August 6, 2024
(Mike Farrell also has his own website: https://mikefarrellsports.com/)
In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at a top 2026 target and 2025 potential flip.
Bielema’s Illini Will Re-Establish Program Identity in 2024
The concept of ‘complimentary football’ is about as unsexy a term in the sport but Bret Bielema is determined to bring that concept to the forefront of what the Illini program is and will be.
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
August 5, 2024
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Just like every offseason, which truthfully gets shorter and shorter due to the recruiting realities of the sport, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema conducts a vigorous self-scout of his football program.
What Does Having Matthew Bailey Back Mean For Illinois? We’re All About to Find Out
Illinois third-year safety Matthew Bailey doesn’t have the playing experience to account for the talk of his importance to the Illini’s defense but don’t tell that to his coaches and teammates.
August 5, 2024
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The responsibility being hoisted upon Matthew Bailey inside and outside the Smith Family Football Complex is not parallel to a player who has experienced just one start, missed nearly the entire 2023 season and has only one start in his college football career.
Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Jerimy Finch Jr. Discusses His Unofficial Visit at Illinois
Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting
August 3, 2024
Champaign, Ill. – Jerimy Finch Jr., one of the nation's top football prospects for 2026, visited Illinois on Wednesday. The 6-foot-3, 230-pound defensive lineman from Warren Central High School in Indianapolis is drawing interest from numerous prestigious programs.
Zy Crisler Back Home at Guard and Feeling Good Heading into 2024
Zy Crisler, a two-time All-Big Ten honorable mention selection, has rode the emotional roller coaster ride in his first two years at Illinois but has a comfort being placed back at guard.
Matthew Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
August 2, 2024
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — For what might be the first time since he’s arrived at the University of Illinois, Zylon Crisler has made it back home.
The Farrell Files Illinois - Trimble's Reaction & 2025 Defensive Line Recruiting
Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys & Big Sports Radio National Football Recruiting Expert
July 31, 2024
(Mike Farrell also has his own website: https://mikefarrellsports.com/)
In this edition of the Farrell files, I’ll take a look at 2025 WR Brayden Trimble’s reaction to his official offer and more importantly the response from his current 2026 teammate. And I’ll also look at how the Illini stack up against the Big Ten along the DL for the 2025 class.
Illini Football 2024 Preseason Camp Practice Report #3 - BTN Day Means Full Media Access
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
August 1, 2024
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Good evening and welcome to a very different preseason camp practice report from the fourth session (practice No. 2 was closed to the public/media) for the Illinois program for the 2024 season under lights in Memorial Stadium.
Due to Big Ten Network personnel being allowed full access to Thursday night’s session, Illinois fourth-year head coach Bret Bielema elected to make the full two-hour practice open to media and therefore, you should prepare yourselves for what will be an extensive IlliniGuys.com report.
Welcome to the Advanced Class of Illini’s 2024 Offense Installation
The return of a multi-year offensive coordinator, experienced starting quarterback and returning starter at center signals a shorter and more extensive offensive installation for Illinois this August.
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
August 1, 2024
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Just for a single moment imagine the comfort level of Josh Kreutz in these first few preseason meetings, walk-throughs and practices.
Illini Football 2024 Preseason Camp Practice Report #2: No More Flu Bug for Dennis Briggs Jr./Say Hello to Hank Beatty...Punt Returner
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
August 1, 2024
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Good morning and welcome to the third preseason camp practice (practice No. 2 was closed to the public/media) for the Illinois program for the 2023 season in the fourth campaign of Illini head coach Bret Bielema that begins under lights in Memorial Stadium.
The Farrell Files Illinois - 2026 Recruitments to Watch
Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys & Big Sports Radio National Football Recruiting Expert
July 31, 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 a few 2026 recruitments to watch and break down how the Illini compare with the rest of the Big Ten when it comes to offensive line recruiting in 2025.
Altmyer Details Offseason Mental Improvement Work With Counselors & Sports Psychologists
Illinois starting quarterback Luke Altmyer quickly embraced the idea his offseason training work needed to involve a confidence overhaul while talking to sports psychologists and the team pastor.
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
July 31, 2024
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Whether Luke Altmyer knew it at the time or not, some of his Illini teammates were paying just as much attention to him late in the 2023 season as the backup quarterback as when he began as the starter.
When it was determined by Illini head coach Bret Bielema that John Paddock would be the starting quarterback for the Illini when they played at Iowa and in the season finale against Northwestern, Patrick Bryant knew the next few days of closed practices were going to be worth monitoring.
Illini Safeties Will Start with New Radio Communication in Helmet During 2024 Season
All Football Bowl Subdivision teams will be given the option of using coach-to-player communications through the helmet of one player on both sides of scrimmage in the 2024 season.
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
July 30, 2024
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — So far, in a classic 2024 response, the only early public mistake with Illinois’ transition to a new radio technology in the player helmets has been with a supply chain delivery issue.
Confidence in Illini OC Barry Lunney Jr. Revolves Around Returning Experience
Illinois returns a third-year offensive coordinator, second-year quarterback with 18 games of experience and depth at offensive line to attack defenses in the 2024 season.
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
July 30, 2024
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- With preseason talk turns to the offense, the message being sent out of the Smith Family Football Center is one of quiet confidence.
Illini Head Coach Bret Bielema: ‘In 2021, 2022, 2023 our defenses were under me and the 2024 defense is under me.’
While not wanting to undercut his coordinators on either side of the ball, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema made it clear at Big Ten Football Media Days that if the defense fails, blame him.
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
July 30, 2024
CHAMPAIGN — It’s pretty clear that Brett Bielema is sick and tired of hearing public criticism about the Illinois defensive coordinator spot when he feels those folks have missed the target.
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