Football

Jack Crowder arrived as a highly touted recruit, suffered severe setbacks and had to rededicate himself to his craft before having a career-defining outing in his NCAA regional debut. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

June 1, 2024

LEXINGTON, Ky.  — Neither party in the player-head coach dynamic of Jack Crowder and Dan Hartleb would likely describe the past four-year University of Illinois experience as consistently pleasant. 

While Friday night’s eight-inning gem of a performance easily represents the high point of Crowder’s collegiate career, that peak national stage moment didn’t come without more than one noticeable valley.

Illinois pitcher Jack Crowder becomes the first Illini pitcher in 24 years to finish eight innings in a NCAA regional start and get the win. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

May 31, 2024

LEXINGTON, Ky.  — It’s very possible all that was needed was for Jack Crowder to get on a national platform.

In his first NCAA Regional start, the 21-year-old right-hander executed one of the better postseason pitching performances at Illinois in over two decades to lead the Illini to a 4-1 victory over Indiana State. 

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

May 31, 2024

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at some key official visits coming up over the next few weeks and Braylen Trimble’s new ranking.

As Illinois enters the 2024 NCAA Lexington Regional Friday night, Illini coaches may have more reliable bullpen options than when they started the season four months ago. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

May 31, 2024

LEXINGTON, Ky.  — For the better part of four months, the questions surrounding this Illinois baseball program have centered on the individuals inhabiting the pitching mound in the middle of the diamond. 

Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst

May 29, 2024

If you're a legitimate high major prospect that lives in the 217-area code or 309-area code, you should expect Brett Bielema to be a fast and frequent visitor to your front door. No sooner had Mt. Zion's Brayden Trimble pledge to the Illini last week than Princeville's Kellen Francis joins Kaeden Faegin, Aiden Laughery, Declan Duley, Mac Resetich, Mathew Bailey, Malichi Hood, Jordan Anderson and Hank Beatty as Central Illinois players to join the Orange and Blue.

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

May 29, 2024

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at the latest commitment for the Illini, a June visitor with a connection to the Illini and a decision timetable for Zakhari Franklin.

Illinois split a mid-week home-and-home series this season and have played Indiana State six times over the last three seasons. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

May 28, 2024

CHAMPAIGN — Scouting secrets aren’t likely to exist before Illinois head coach Dan Hartleb exchanges lineup cards at home plate this weekend in the opening game of the 2024 NCAA Lexington Regional. They’ve both done this before. 

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

May 27, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois received a commitment on Labor Day from Carson Goda, a 6-foot-3, 225-pound tight end from Bradenton, FL. Goda, who has one season of eligibility remaining, is a Division II transfer from Saint Anselm College in Goffstown, NH.

For the first time since 2019, Illinois baseball will be participating in the NCAA Tournament. The Illini will be a 3-seed in NCAA Lexington Regional with the opening game being against Indiana State.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

March 27, 2024

CHAMPAIGN — For the first time in five years, Illinois baseball will be participating in the NCAA Tournament. 

Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst

May 27, 2024

Illinois has continued to hit the portal hard in the third (and last) recruiting season of 2024 with the addition of Torrie, Cox, Jr. from Ohio U.

Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst

May 26, 2024

Brett Bielema has made recruiting his home territory a priority and he has been especially strong in recruiting high major players who are close to Champaign.

Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

May 25, 2024

Kellen Francis, a former Illinois prep standout and junior college transfer from Butler Community College in El Dorado, Kansas, has committed to the University of Illinois this afternoon. The 6-foot-6, 320-pound offensive lineman made his decision following an official visit this week.

Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Staff Analyst

May 25, 2024

Illinois again managed to reap the benefits of a big recruiting weekend which started with the commitment of Texas cornerback Terrance Brooks and continued with a pledge from Florida A&M* defensive tackle Gentle Hunt.

Illinois graduate transfer Tyler Goecke has gone from out of the lineup in Big Ten Championships to posting the Illini’s best score in the first day of the 2024 NCAA Championships on Friday.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

May 24, 2024

Nearly a month ago, Illinois head coach Mike Small looked at Tyler Goecke and knew his fifth-year senior graduate transfer simply needed a break.

Illinois has been eliminated from the Big Ten Baseball Tournament before the weekend for the eighth straight year.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

May 24, 2024

When Tracy Smith was hired as the next head baseball coach at the University of Michigan on the day before Independence Day 2022, most analysts in the sport thought the Wolverines were getting one of the best baseball minds and recruiters in the college game. What nobody in Ann Arbor, Michigan realized, and that likely includes Smith himself, is the former Arizona State head coach would eventually be bringing north one of the game’s most talented two-way players from the roster of his former employer.