Football

Illinois Invades Florida for Future Running Back Commitment

Illinois Invades Florida for Future Running Back Commitment

Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

June 29, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The Fighting Illini football team has ventured south to secure their next backfield prospect. Today, Illinois received a commitment from Cedric Wyche, a 5-foot-10 running back from St. Thomas Aquinas in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

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The Farrell Files Illinois - Latest Commit & Good News is Coming

The Farrell Files Illinois - Latest Commit & Good News is Coming

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

June 28, 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 and some good news coming up.

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Illinois Flips DE Erik Gayle from Cincinnati

Illinois Flips DE Erik Gayle from Cincinnati

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

June 27, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — College football can be unpredictable, much like the weather—hot one day and freezing cold the next. Recruits often commit to a program, only to reconsider after taking other visits, leading to unexpected changes in their decisions.

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Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Florida's DB Updates His Recruitment After Visiting Illinois

Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Florida's DB Updates His Recruitment After Visiting Illinois

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

June 27, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Robert Jones III, a defensive back who recently decommitted from North Carolina State, has provided an update on his recruitment following a visit to Illinois.

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The Farrell Files Illinois - Most Recent Commitment & Two Who Could be Next

The Farrell Files Illinois - Most Recent Commitment & Two Who Could be Next

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

June 25, 2024

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at the most recent commitment for the 2025 class and the latest on two who could be next.

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Football Recruiting Spotlight on Desmond Straughton

Football Recruiting Spotlight on Desmond Straughton

Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst

June 24, 2024

New Illinois defensive backs coach Corey Parker has only been on the job for a month, but one of the first things he did was to use his Detroit roots to get into the recruitment of Roseville, Michigan safety Desmond Straughton, who'd already been offered by most of the Big Ten yet remained uncommitted. Parker would not take no for an answer with Straughton and his persistence paid off when he convinced Straughton to visit and commit on the spot.

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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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