The Farrell Files Illinois - NIL Coaching Feud
Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys & Big Sports Radio National Football Recruiting Expert
February 14, 2024
(Mike Farrell also has his own website: https://mikefarrellsports.com/)
I’m this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at the battle between Bret Bielema and Mario Cristobal and take a look at 2024 OT signee Andrew Dennis in four key categories.
Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Jason Dowell
Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting
February 13, 2024
Hailing from East Saint Louis, IL, Jason Dowell is making waves in the football world as a standout 6-4, 275-pound Defensive Line 2025 prospect from Althoff Catholic High School. With an impressive four-star rating, Dowell has become one of the most sought-after recruits in the state of Illinois and nation.
Illinois head coach Bret Bielema is keen on keeping Dowell within the state, recognizing his potential as a game-changer on the defensive line. Dowell has garnered interest from Auburn, Cincinnati, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas State, Kansas, Michigan State, Minnesota, Oregon, Missouri, and USC.
In a recent interview with IlliniGuys,
The Farrell Files Illinois - LB Coach Hiring Evaluation
Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys & Big Sports Radio National Football Recruiting Expert
February 12, 2024
(Mike Farrell also has his own website: https://mikefarrellsports.com/)
In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at the other big coaching hire, LBs coach Archie McDaniel.
Prophecy Fulfilled: The Super Bowl Lands in Las Vegas
By Larry Smith, Co-Founder, IlliniGuys & Co-Host/Executive Producer, IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular
February 11, 2024
(Photos courtesy Larry Smith)
LAS VEGAS, Nev. - It was January, 2007 and the story I was working on was 'could pro sports play in Las Vegas?' My producer at CNN Sports twisted my arm (wink wink) to make the three-day trip to Sin City immediately after the BCS game in suburban Phoenix. Florida shocked favored Ohio State to reign as king of college football on that night, but the real stunner came during our interviews in Vegas.
I sat down with then-mayor - and former mob lawyer - Oscar Goodman, an executive at MGM Grand, and the general manager of the Triple-AAA baseball affiliate that called Las Vegas home and they were very persuasive in their collective view. I landed on that Tuesday a skeptic, but I left on Friday a convert - firmly believing Las Vegas would eventually be a major league sports city.
Football Recruiting Spotlight - Focusing on the Walk-ons
Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst
February 9, 2024
Maybe its just me, but I get more excited about the yearly crop of PWO commits at the second signing day as they come in than I do about the first signing day. The reason is these guys are "free" and don't count against any of the scholarship limitations so you can take as many of them as you want. My excitement has intensified with these last two classes under Bielema though, because Coach Bert has made his grassroots recruiting campaign a priority and it has paid off especially well on guys like this. Last year's PWO crop was the best I'd ever seen.... until this year.
Here they are, in order of commitment:
Bielema Targets Texas Ties in New Illini LB Coach Archie McDaniel
New Illinois linebackers coach Archie McDaniel brings a vast amount of experience developing talent and recruiting prospects in the Lone Star State of Texas.
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
February 9, 2024
CHAMPAIGN — Bret Bielema believes he has found a connection to Texas prospects in the form of his new linebackers coach hire.
The Farrell Files Illinois - Absolute Home Run Hire
Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys & Big Sports Radio National Football Recruiting Expert
February 9, 2024
(Mike Farrell also has his own website: https://mikefarrellsports.com/)
In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at the new wide receiver hire (hint, it’s a good one) from a positional and recruiting aspect.
Justin Stepp Reunites With Illini OC Barry Lunney Jr. As New Illinois WR Coach
Stepp’s move to Illinois marks his first collegiate assistant job north of the Mason-Dixon Line after spending the last six years as a wide receivers coach in the Southeastern Conference.
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
February 8, 2024
CHAMPAIGN — Justin Stepp gets to reunite with Barry Lunney Jr.’s offensive philosophy once again.
Tanner Heckel Commits to Illinois, Brings Versatility to the Fighting Illini
Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting
February 8, 2023
On Wednesday, Illinois signed a valuable addition to its football roster as three-star Kansas defensive back Tanner Heckel signed a national letter of intent. The 5-foot-11, 175-pound athlete hails from Lyndon (HS) in Kansas and is set to bring a diverse skill set to Illinois.
Charlie Bullen Returning to National Football League As New York Giants OLB Coach
The outside linebackers coaching position is open at Illinois for the third time in four offseasons as Charlie Bullen leaves for the NFL’s New York Giants.
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
February 7, 2024
CHAMPAIGN — Charlie Bullen’s time as a full-time position coach at the collegiate level lasted just 13 months.
Shortly after Illinois head coach Bret Bielema completed a local media conference inside the Smith Family Football Complex, the New York Giants announced Charlie Bullen was leaving the Illini program after just one season for the same job title with the National Football League franchise.
Bielema on Fmr. Illini Signee Josaiah Knight Signing With Mississippi State: ‘He wanted to be here’
Illinois head coach Bret Bielema hinted an enrollment problem popped up with three-star OLB/DE Josaiah Knight after he signed with Mississippi State Wednesday.
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
February 7, 2024
CHAMPAIGN — Despite signing a National Letter-of-Intent and being introduced as an early enrollee a few weeks later, Josaiah Knight will not be a member of the University of Illinois football program.
The Farrell Files Illinois - Illini Add "Sleeper" DB
Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys & Big Sports Radio National Football Recruiting Expert
February 7, 2024
(Mike Farrell also has his own website: https://mikefarrellsports.com/)
In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at another late sleeper DB added by Bret Bielema just like last season.
Ked's Recruiting Roundup: 2024 DB Tanner Heckel Commits to Illinois
By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting
February 6th, 2024
Surprising development for the Fighting Illini football team, they secured a commitment for the class of 2024 from safety Tanner Heckel, a 5-foot-11, 175-pound talent hailing from Lyndon, Kansas, and Lyndon High School.
The Farrell Files Illinois - PWO of Interest, WR Coach Gone & Zafir Stewart Evaluation
February 6, 2024
(Mike Farrell also has his own website: https://mikefarrellsports.com/)
In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at a new preferred walk on of interest, talk about the loss of WR Coach George McDonald and continue to look at the 2024 class with a look at OL Zafir Stewart in four important categories.
Ked's Recruiting Roundup: Illini Add OL Barrett as PWO
By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting
February 5th, 2024
Orland Park's Zach Barrett, a strong 6-foot-3, 270-pound offensive lineman from the class of 2024, officially committed to the University of Illinois football program on Sunday as a preferred walk-on, one day after making a visit to camps. Barrett made the decision to join the Fighting Illini, citing the program's aggressive mentality and commitment to dominating opponents as key factors in his choice.
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