Football

Illini Fall to No. 24 Georgia Tech in NCAA Tournament First Round

Illini Fall to No. 24 Georgia Tech in NCAA Tournament First Round

Illinois Athletics May 4, 2024 AUSTIN, Texas – In the […]

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The Farrell Files Illinois - Illini Staff Aggressive in Offers

The Farrell Files Illinois - Illini Staff Aggressive in Offers

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

May 3, 2024

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at the Illini hanging in with the big boys on an elite OL and how the staff is remaining aggressive in offers.

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Illini’s Bielema Likely to Hire New DB Coach by Mid-May

Illini’s Bielema Likely to Hire New DB Coach by Mid-May

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema is working off a list as long as 28 names to find the replacement for David Gibbs after his resignation due to a medical issue.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

May 1, 2024

CHAMPAIGN — Bret Bielema would like to have his defensive backs coach announced within the next two weeks.

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The Farrell Files Illinois - Huge Official Visit Set

The Farrell Files Illinois - Huge Official Visit Set

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

May 1, 2024

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at the key OL loss in the portal and how that impacts recruiting and a big official visit set.

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The Farrell Files Illinois - Impact of the NFL Draft & Possible Portal Targets

The Farrell Files Illinois - Impact of the NFL Draft & Possible Portal Targets

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

April 30, 2024

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at the impact of Johnny Newton sliding to round two, a needed revamp at a target position in 2025 and a few portal kids who should be targets.

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2024 4-star OL early enrollee Andrew Dennis Enters Transfer Portal After Just Four Months with the Illini

2024 4-star OL early enrollee Andrew Dennis Enters Transfer Portal After Just Four Months with the Illini

The highest ranked signee of the Bret Bielema era of Illinois football has elected to enter the transfer portal after just four months into a spring season with the program. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

April 29, 2024

CHAMPAIGN — The highest ranked prospect in Illinois’ 2024 football recruiting is in the transfer portal after spending less than fourth months in Bret Bielema’s program. 

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Sturdy for 30 - April 29 Column

Sturdy for 30 - April 29 Column

Brad Sturdy, IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular Co-Host & Uber-Illini Insider

April 29, 2024

Welcome to our new weekly column in which Brad Sturdy will give 30 thoughts/reports/notes/etc. Swirling around in his head from professional and college athletics, mostly focusing on the Fighting Illini, but encompassing all of the sports world. Except for soccer. Rarely soccer. No order, just 30 random thoughts from the guy that never sleeps. 

When you get 2nd place in the Big Ten and it is a huge disappointment, you have set the bar high. Mike Small has don

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Illini Streak of Eight Consecutive Big Ten Men’s Golf Championships Over After 2nd Place Finish; Jackson Buchanan Finishes Runner-Up For Individual Title

Illini Streak of Eight Consecutive Big Ten Men’s Golf Championships Over After 2nd Place Finish; Jackson Buchanan Finishes Runner-Up For Individual Title

Illinois junior Jackson Buchanan finished one shot back of the individual medalist honors at the 2024 Big Ten Men’s Golf Championships. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

April 28, 2024

For the first time since 2014, Illinois will not be taking the Big Ten Championship trophy back to Champaign.

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NOTEBOOK: Where Illini Undrafted Players Signed Free Agent NFL Deals

NOTEBOOK: Where Illini Undrafted Players Signed Free Agent NFL Deals

Multiple Illinois football players signed free agents deals on Saturday following the conclusion of the 2024 NFL Draft. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

April 28, 2024

After being in a reserve role for two years at Ohio, Denzel Daxon parlayed his performance in the 2023 season at Illinois into an undrafted free agent contract with the Dallas Cowboys. 

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Illini All-Big Ten DL Keith Randolph Jr. Reportedly Signs UDFA Deal with Chicago Bears

Illini All-Big Ten DL Keith Randolph Jr. Reportedly Signs UDFA Deal with Chicago Bears

Illinois defensive lineman Keith Randolph has signed an undrafted free agent contract with his home state team, the Chicago Bears, to begin his professional football career. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

April 27, 2024

After not being picked in the 2024 National Football Draft, Keith Randolph has reportedly elected to start his professional career in a local spot. 

Kevin Fishbain, a staff writer for The Athletic, confirmed Saturday evening that the Illinois defensive lineman has signed a free agent contract with the Chicago Bears. 

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Illini All-Big Ten WR Isaiah Williams Reportedly Signs UDFA Deal with Detroit Lions

Illini All-Big Ten WR Isaiah Williams Reportedly Signs UDFA Deal with Detroit Lions

After five years of college football, Illinois wide receiver Isaiah Williams will begin his professional football journey as an undrafted free agent signee in Detroit. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

April 27, 2024

The long journey for Illinois two-time captain and All-Big Ten wide receiver Isaiah Williams to professional football will begin as an undrafted free agent signee with the Detroit Lions. 

Williams was not selected in the 2024 National Football League Draft over the last three days and ESPN reporter Jeremy Fowler reported Saturday evening that Williams has agreed to a free agent contract with the defending NFC North Division champion. 

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Jackson Buchanan Within Striking Distance of 2024 Big Ten Men’s Golf Individual Title; Illini in Third in Team Standings

Jackson Buchanan Within Striking Distance of 2024 Big Ten Men’s Golf Individual Title; Illini in Third in Team Standings

Illinois junior Jackson Buchanan is within two shots of […]

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Casey Washington Taken in 6th Round By Atlanta Falcons

Casey Washington Taken in 6th Round By Atlanta Falcons

Illinois wide receiver Casey Washington was selected by the 187th overall by the Atlanta Falcons in the sixth round of the 2024 National Football League Draft.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

April 27, 2024

For the first time in 12 years, a wide receiver from the University of Illinois has been drafted into the National Football League. 

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Tip Reiman Drafted 82nd Overall By Arizona Cardinals

Tip Reiman Drafted 82nd Overall By Arizona Cardinals

Tip Reiman has gone from a 220-pound walk-on to being the first tight end drafted in Illini football history since Michael Hoomanawanui was a fifth-round pick in 2010. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

April 26, 2024

Tip Reiman has gone from a complete afterthought walk-on on the Illinois roster to being the first tight end drafted in the last 14 years of the program’s history. 

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Isaiah Adams Drafted 71st Overall by Arizona Cardinals

Isaiah Adams Drafted 71st Overall by Arizona Cardinals

Isaiah Adams becomes the first player recruited and signed to Bret Bielema’s Illinois program to be drafted into the National Football League. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

April 26, 2024

The first player recruited and signed to Illinois by head coach Bret Bielema has been drafted into the National Football League. 

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