Illini Coaches Expecting More Than Special Teams Magic From Ryan Meed in 2024
Illinois sixth-year walk-on linebacker Ryan Meed is one of three players on the Illini roster that have experienced two bowl games while playing for the orange and blue.
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
August 12, 2024
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — When a sixth-year senior returns to a team, the coaching staff usually anticipates getting the consistency of a stable veteran.
Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Illinois Football and Women's Basketball Make List for Top Prospects
Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting
August 12, 2024
CHAMPAIGN, IL – After being recruited for a couple of years, all the phone calls and visits, several players start to narrow their list of choices. Some who know what they're looking for others have basically grown tired of the process.
Practice Report No. 4 (Practice No. 11): ‘Illini Drill’ Gets Nasty & A New Center Emerges
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
August 10, 2024
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Good afternoon and we can welcome back Illini football practice reports for the first time in nine days.
For the first time since the evening of Aug. 1, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema authorized a media viewing portion of Saturday’s practice session. The media were allowed to witness nine minutes of individual drill work in practice and six minutes of team stretching so this report will be significant shorter due to the inability to witness a lot of what would be considered noteworthy work by Bielema’s squad.
Illini’s Injury List Growing During Preseason Camp
Bret Bielema’s injury report continues to get longer as the Illini complete its second week of preseason camp practice sessions.
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
August 10, 2024
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The injury list is growing during the first week of August as Illinois continues through preseason practices.
The Farrell Files Illinois - Key 2026 Updates & 2025 B1G DB Rankings
Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys & Big Sports Radio National Football Recruiting Expert
August 9, 2024
(Mike Farrell also has his own website: https://mikefarrellsports.com/)
In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll have a couple of key 2026 updates and look at how the Illini rank at DB in the 2025 class versus the rest of the Big Ten.
Cole Rusk’s Injury Leaves Significant Hole in Illini Tight End Room
The dream of Cole Rusk playing in a game for Illinois will need to wait another year as the transfer tight end suffers a knee injury before the first preseason scrimmage.
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
August 9, 2024
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The most impactful element of Cole Rusk’s severely injured knee is likely to be felt by the people in his tight end meeting room that are still healthy for the upcoming 2024 season.
Injury Bug Strikes Illinois TE Cole Rusk
Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Recruiting Director
August 8, 2024
CHAMPAIGN, IL — Illinois football suffered a significant blow with the news that tight end Cole Rusk, a highly anticipated transfer from Murray State, will miss the entire upcoming season due to a knee injury. The former Rock Island standout, who was expected to compete for a starting role, confirmed the unfortunate news on his social media page on Tuesday.
Illinois Reveals Throwback Uniforms for Red Grange Dedication Game vs. Michigan
Illinois unveiled the uniforms and helmets that will be […]
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.
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