Football

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.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

August 16, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, IL. — Sometimes the recruiting gurus miss, and right now, it’s happening to Morgan Park’s Nasir Rankin, a 6-foot-1, 160-pound wide receiver. Rankin, a 2026 prospect, recently visited Illinois.

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema told us what transpired during the closed preseason scrimmage inside Memorial Stadium on Wednesday night. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

August 15, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois conducted its second and final closed scrimmage of the preseason on Wednesday night inside Memorial Stadium and fourth-year head coach Bret Bielema gave his notes on what happened....

(From Illinois Sports Information Office) August 15, 2024 CHAMPAIGN, […]

Illinois Athletics August 15, 2024 On Oct. 18, 1924, […]

Illinois Athletics August 15, 2024 CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Exactly 100 […]

The lesson Illinois running back Thad Ward took from the multiple injuries involved in his positional group in 2023 is remembering to keep personal attention to everybody. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

August 14, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Thad Ward is approaching 19 years as an assistant coach in college football. Bret Bielema is entering his 16th season as a head coach at a power conference program. 

And neither of these men say they can remember a year being a part of a position group so badly ravaged by injuries as what transpired inside the running back room during Illinois’ 2023 season. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

August 13, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Good afternoon and we can welcome back to the IlliniGuys.com football practice reports. I do believe I’ve missed doing them this month as much as you, the loyal consumer, has missed receiving them.