The Farrell Files Illinois - Angelo McCullom Evaluation and a 2025 Wisconsin TE
Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert
August 9, 2023
(Mike Farrell also has his own website: https://mikefarrellsports.com/)
In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll rank DE commit Angelo McCullom vs the rest of the industry and update on a new TE offer in the 2025 class.
NOTEBOOK: Illini’s ‘KO’ Trying to Knock Out New Linebacker Spot; Illinois Searching For 4th & 5th WR; Bielema Excited About Houston Griffith Hire
By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst
August 8, 2023
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — In a common defensive set for Illinois, two linebackers lined up somewhere in the middle of the field with vastly different responsibilities are typically required.
Column: How Geography And Greed Decimated The Pac-12 And Put The Big Ten In The Expansion Driver's Seat
(Editor's note: IlliniGuys co-founder Larry Smith also serves as co-host and executive producer of the IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular syndicated radio show. He is a 35-year veteran in the broadcast journalism field, more than half that time spent as an anchor, correspondent, and host for CNN Sports and Turner Sports. He shared his thoughts on this latest wave of expansion on the IlliniGuys premium message forums this weekend.)
August 8, 2023
As we steady ourselves from the tremors beneath our feet from the massive shift in college football we experienced on Friday, two things are clear: the Big Ten is responsible and there really isn't much the Pac-12 could have done to avoid its impending demise.
Maybe if they'd cranked out a new media deal two years ago, then USC and UCLA would have stayed. But such an arrangement at that time - and with three years left on their existing contract - would have been unlikely. When you consider that we were barely out of the pandemic at that time, you can shut the door on that 'what-if'. Even if they had, the SEC and then the Big Ten struck landmark agreements that would have made a new, richer Pac-12 deal immediately obsolete. Think new Comiskey Park and then Camden Yards opening a year later.
Illini Football 2023 Preseason Camp Practice Report #4 - Malik Elzy Already in the WR Two-Deep
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
August 7, 2023
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Good afternoon as we’ve transitioned into the second week of fall football camp for the Illinois program for the 2023 season in the third campaign of Illini head coach Bret Bielema that begins under lights in Memorial Stadium.
The Farrell Files Illinois - Caleb Pyfrom Evaluation and Upcoming Visits
Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert
August 7, 2023
(Mike Farrell also has his own website: https://mikefarrellsports.com/)
In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll rank OL Caleb Pyfrom compared to the rest of the industry and talk about a few upcoming visits.
Heat Checks and Hail Marys – When it Comes to Realignment, 10 Days are an Eternity
Mike Cagley, Co-Host IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular and Big Sports […]
Illini Football 2023 Preseason Camp Practice Report #3 - First Night in Shoulder Pads
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
August 6, 2023
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Good evening and welcome to the third evening of fall football camp for the Illinois program for the 2023 season in the third campaign of Illini head coach Bret Bielema that begins under lights in Memorial Stadium.
Illini AD Josh Whitman Championing Big Ten’s Addition of Washington & Oregon
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer August 5, 2023 CHAMPAIGN, […]
Illini Football 2023 Preseason Camp Practice Report #2 - Matthew Bailey’s Lower Right Leg Immobile
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
August 4, 2023
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Good evening and welcome to the second evening of fall football camp for the Illinois program for the 2023 season in the third campaign of Illini head coach Bret Bielema that begins under lights in Memorial Stadium.
The Farrell Files Illinois - Zafir Stewart & New Illini Recruiting Strategy
Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert
August 4, 2023
(Mike Farrell also has his own website: https://mikefarrellsports.com/)
In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll personally rank OL Zafir Stewart and how the recruiting strategy has changed heading into Bret Bielema’s third season.
Dropping the Bomb: Illinois Trying to Find a Deep Passing Attack With Altmyer
The addition of Luke Altmyer and the return of several veteran receiving targets along with the second year in Barry Lunney Jr.’s system suggests a possible opening up of the Illini pass game.
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
August 4, 2023
Cover Photo Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — A common complaint of the Illinois football offense in the 2022 season was the lack of deep passing attempts but the answer to why that was the case wasn’t very complicated.
Illini Football 2023 Preseason Camp Practice Report #1 - Art Sitkowski Taking Active Role in Illini's QB Development
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
August 3, 2023
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Good evening and welcome to the first preseason camp practice for the Illinois program for the 2023 season in the third campaign of Illini head coach Bret Bielema that begins under lights in Memorial Stadium.
Preseason Camp Opening Provides Instant Introduction to New Illini DBs
The opening of preseason practices on Thursday night will be the first opportunity that Illinois coaches will get a look at new key faces in the defensive backfield.
By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst
August 3, 2023
(Cover photo courtesy Miami Herald)
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — In several ways, the reloading of the Illinois defensive backfield begins on Thursday night at Memorial Stadium.
In the first closed preseason practice, scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. on the stadium turf, Illinois coaches will get their first look at some key additions to the roster that were acquired in the transfer portal spring window and some freshmen who were unable to get enrolled for spring practices. Some of these key new additions, including 2022 Freshman All-America selection Demetrius Hill of Florida International University and safety Clayton Bush of Southern Illinois, will be trying to quickly show why they deserve to be in the rotation of Aaron Henry’s secondary as the Illini defensive coordinator transitions to his first full season as the play-caller on that side of the ball.
Bret Bielema’s Illini Contract Includes Newly Signed Big Ten Non-Compete Amendment
Illinois head coach Bret Bielema isn’t permitted to resign from his current position to become a head coach at another Big Ten Conference school, including his alma mater Iowa, through Jan. 31, 2029.
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
August 3, 2023
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Bret Bielema recently signed an amendment to his contract with the University of Illinois that unconditionally restricts him from taking another Big Ten Conference head coach job over the course of the six-year deal.
The Farrell Files Illinois - Brandon Hansen & B1G TE Rankings
Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert
August 2, 2023
(Mike Farrell also has his own website: https://mikefarrellsports.com/)
In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll continue ranking this class so far player by player with OL Brandon Hansen and I’ll look at the tight end units in the Big Ten and where the Illini stand.
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