Football

The Farrell Files Illinois - Key Upcoming Visits

The Farrell Files Illinois - Key Upcoming Visits

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

April 15, 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 key upcoming visits for the 2025 and 2026 class and the positional needs in the portal.

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Bret Bielema on Northwestern’s 2024 & 2025 Stadium Announcement: ‘You can announce whatever you want’

Bret Bielema on Northwestern’s 2024 & 2025 Stadium Announcement: ‘You can announce whatever you want’

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema does not want his 2024 game at Northwestern to be played at Wrigley Field or any other venue that can't accommodate two working sidelines. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

April 14, 2024

CHAMPAIGN — Bret Bielema has a message for the folks at Northwestern University: Don’t try to schedule our 2024 game at Wrigley Field. 

The Illinois fourth-year head coach said Saturday he didn’t pay much attention to the announcement by Northwestern administration that they intend to build a temporary football field on the Evanston, Ill. campus for football, soccer, lacrosse games.

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Bret Bielema Details Post-Spring Transfer Portal Plan

Bret Bielema Details Post-Spring Transfer Portal Plan

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema stresses his aggressiveness in this post-spring portal window will be dictated by his own roster numbers. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

April 14, 2024

CHAMPAIGN — Bret Bielema’s acknowledged his own program’s scholarship crunch will likely dictate his ability to be aggressive in this post-spring transfer portal window will be determined by his own program’s scholarship numbers. 

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Anthony Johnson Quits Illini Football Team; Will Re-Enter Transfer Portal on Tuesday

Anthony Johnson Quits Illini Football Team; Will Re-Enter Transfer Portal on Tuesday

One of the Illini’s early December additions from the transfer portal has informed Illinois head coach Bret Bielema that he’ll be leaving Champaign for another program. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

April 13, 2024

CHAMPAIGN — Anthony Johnson’s tenure as a transfer portal addition at Illinois didn’t last five full months. 

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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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