Football

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

August 27, 2024

Champaign, IL – On September 7th, the Fighting Illini will host the 22nd-ranked Kansas Jayhawks in what is expected to be a significant game for Illinois. It’s scheduled for 6:00 p.m. CT on FS1, this will present an opportunity for the Illini to showcase their improvement the past four years under coach Bret Bielema. Now is the time to maintain fan enthusiasm, and, most importantly, impress potential recruits.

Illinois offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. thinks the first exam for quarterback Luke Altmyer in the 2024 season against Eastern Illinois will be a test of confidence. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

August 26, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — In almost every way, Illinois offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. has acknowledged all the talk of preseason camp about the development of the Illini’s starting quarterback is nothing more than just that - talk. 

Illinois Athletics August 25, 2024 CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois will […]

 Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

August 25, 2024

Champaign, Ill. — The state of Illinois has recently become a fertile ground for the Illini in terms of football prospects. One standout is Clayton Lakatos, a 6-foot-1, 180-pound wide receiver from Edwardsville, Illinois, who has kept Illinois on his radar.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

August 24, 2024

Champaign, Ill. – Opening night for Illinois football is just around the corner, as the Fighting Illini are set to face Eastern Illinois on August 29 at 8 p.m. CT.

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

August 24, 2024

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at a potential big visit, rank OL Michael McDonough vs the industry and see how the Illini stack up at WR and TE against the rest of the Big Ten.

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema and defensive coordinator Aaron Henry have both described Henry’s first season as a play-caller in 2023 as valuable “on-the-job training” that will pay off in future seasons. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

August 24, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The hindsight message that Illinois head coach Bret Bielema has been attempting to spin this summer is that in order for Aaron Henry to develop into an elite defensive play-caller, the Illini defensive struggles had to occur. 

Illinois third-year quarterback Donovan Leary is still waiting to take his first snap of collegiate action and the first high school quarterback signee of the Bret Bielema is still content with waiting and learning.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

August 23, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Given the instant transactional history of the transfer portal, especially for quarterbacks, only one preseason question exists regarding Illinois backup Donovan Leary: So, why after two years, are you still here?

Illinois redshirt freshman Pat Farrell has gone from a 235-pound prospect from the Chicago Catholic League to a needed contributor in Terrance Jamison’s defensive line room in 2024. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

August 21, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Terrance Jamison doesn’t need a lot of time to come up with unknown names in his positional room who could have a major impact on the upcoming 2024 season. 

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

August 20, 2024

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at another key visitor for the Kansas game, rank WR Brayden Trimble vs the industry as see now the 2024 team stacks up against the Big Ten at RB.

Illinois redshirt freshman wide receiver Collin Dixon is embracing the mentality inside new position coach Justin Stepp’s meeting room that consistency more than spectacular will get playing time.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

August 19, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Collin Dixon isn’t doing many spectacular things to catch the eyes of his coaches during this last month of preseason camp. 

Illinois golfer Jackson Buchanan never grabs lead in a […]

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

August 17, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Good early Saturday evening as we welcome you back to the IlliniGuys.com football practice reports.

In less than two years, Illinois defensive back Miles Scott has gone from walk-on wide receiver to a scholarship captain on the 2024 squad. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

August 17, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — It wasn’t like Miles Scott rarely got the opportunity to see first-hand what was required to be a team captain on the football roster at the University of Illinois.

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

August 16, 2024

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at a 2027 OL to watch, a combo deal at TE, rank RB Cedric Wyche II versus the industry and start my positional rankings for the 2024 season with QB.