Football

Desmond Straughton, Athlete from Roseville, MI, Commits to Illinois Football

Desmond Straughton, Athlete from Roseville, MI, Commits to Illinois Football

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

June 23, 2024

Champaign, IL– Today is a great day for Illinois sports fans. Desmond Straughton has just committed to Illinois via his X page.

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The Farrell Files Illinois - Possible Commitments

The Farrell Files Illinois - Possible Commitments

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

June 22, 2024

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at some expected commitments, a possible decommitment and perhaps a surprise visitor.

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Illini AD Josh Whitman Addresses Concerns Over Potential College Athletics Super League

Illini AD Josh Whitman Addresses Concerns Over Potential College Athletics Super League

In his annual media roundtable Thursday morning, University of Illinois athletics director Josh Whitman cited concerns over his school’s resume for a future ‘Super League’ scenario in college sports. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

June 21, 2024

CHAMPAIGN — When Josh Whitman asked about a possible concern over University of Illinois athletics being left out of a future consolidation into a ‘Super League’ formula for college athletics, it was a one-word answer. 

“Yes,” the Illinois’ eight-year athletics director said Thursday morning. “Without a doubt. I think we talk about that extensively here in meetings.”

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Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Illinois Football Continues to Bring Recruits on Campus

Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Illinois Football Continues to Bring Recruits on Campus

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

June 20, 2024

Champaign, Ill. — Recent weeks have seen Illinois football secure several key recruits and transfers, with the most notable addition being Zakhari Franklin, a wide receiver from Ole Miss who was a four-year starter for UTSA prior. Franklin leads active college football players in receptions, yards, and touchdowns, boasting 266 catches, 3,386 yards, and 38 touchdowns.

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Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Transfer Football Wide Receiver Zakhari Franklin is a Game-Changer

Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Transfer Football Wide Receiver Zakhari Franklin is a Game-Changer

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

June 19, 2024

Champaign, Ill. — It is often said that no single player can define a football team's success, given that 11 players take the field at one time. However, the Illinois Fighting Illini are hoping that Ole Miss transfer Zakhari Franklin will be the key to transforming their offense and creating headaches for opposing defenses.

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The Farrell Files Illinois - Recent Visitors Update

The Farrell Files Illinois - Recent Visitors Update

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

June 18, 2024

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at a few recent visitors, and a commitment that didn’t go their way (as expected).

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Football Recruiting Spotlight on Zakhari Franklin

Football Recruiting Spotlight on Zakhari Franklin

Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst

June 17, 2024

Does everyone remember that embarrassing loss Illinois suffered in the season opener in 2021? It was the second game of the Bielema era, and fate had put one of the best low majors in the country on Illinois' schedule against a team that was not prepared for the different type of offense it was facing.

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Thomas Detry Solidifies Back-To-Back Former Illini Top-20 Finishes at U.S. Open

Thomas Detry Solidifies Back-To-Back Former Illini Top-20 Finishes at U.S. Open

Detry, the former 2015 Big Ten Conference Player of the Year at Illinois, finished T-14th in the 2024 United States Open Championship. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

June 16, 2024

Thomas Detry has made it back-to-back years where a former University of Illinois golfer has finished in the Top 20 of the United States Open Championship. 

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Recruiting Spotlight on Isaiah White

Recruiting Spotlight on Isaiah White

Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst

June 16, 2024

Illinois continued its trend of successful recruiting attempts for both defensive linemen and Indianapolis recruits when nose tackle Isaiah White of Indianapolis Ben Davis High School pledged to the Illini to complete an excellent first recruiting weekend of the summer.

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Thomas Detry’s 76 Still Put Former Illini in Contention For Top 10 at U.S. Open

Thomas Detry’s 76 Still Put Former Illini in Contention For Top 10 at U.S. Open

The former 2015 Big Ten Conference Player of the Year struggled Saturday but still having his best season on the PGA Tour in his career. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

June 15, 2024

Even after moving down the leaderboard in the third round of the 2024 United States Open Championship, Thomas Detry still has a chance for an important top 10 finish. 

Detry, a former Big Ten Conference Player of the Year selection in 2015 and current No. 55 ranked player in the world, sits tied for 16th place and just three shots from a pair of players tied for seventh after a 6-over-par 76 in the second-to-last pairing on Saturday. 

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Football Recruiting Spotlight on Cameron Brooks

Football Recruiting Spotlight on Cameron Brooks

Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst

June 15, 2024

Illinois has been playing from behind in defensive line recruiting throughout the Bielema era, but that trend changed with the commitment of Cameron Brooks from Homewood Flossmoor and Isaiah White from Indianapolis Ben Davis (article coming soon). 

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The Farrell Files Illinois - Forster Update & Impact of Terrence Shannon Jr Verdict

The Farrell Files Illinois - Forster Update & Impact of Terrence Shannon Jr Verdict

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

June 14, 2024

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, the Illini fans can finally celebrate another huge portal win, the latest on 2024 RB John Forster and how the Terrance Shannon verdict impacts football recruiting.

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Illini Add WR Zakhari Franklin from Transfer Portal

Illini Add WR Zakhari Franklin from Transfer Portal

Veteran wide receiver Zakhari Franklin reunites with Illinois offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. after Franklin was the top receiving option at Texas-San Antonio from 2019-22.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

June 13, 2024

CHAMPAIGN — Barry Lunney Jr. has brought over his top receiver from his days running the offense at the University of Texas at San Antonio.

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Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Bret Bielema's Stellar Recruiting

Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Bret Bielema's Stellar Recruiting

Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

June 12, 2024

Champaign, Ill. — On December 13, 2020, Illinois athletic director Josh Whitman decided to go in a different direction with the football program, relieving Lovie Smith of his duties. This decision marked a turning point for Illinois football, which had struggled through the Tim Beckman era from 2012-14, resulting in his firing after a dismal 12-25 record.

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The Farrell Files Illinois - 3 Commits & 1 More Possible Commit

The Farrell Files Illinois - 3 Commits & 1 More Possible Commit

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

June 11, 2024

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at the three latest commitments and another that could be on the way.

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