Football

Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst

January 29, 2024

Cole Rusk is the son of a former Illini wrestler and that family connection paid off when the FCS All American from Murray State decided to come back to his home state and play for the Illini for the next two years.  He's a tall and athletic tight end who plus the hole that Tip Reiman left, although in a different way.

What does he bring to the Orange and Blue?

Cole Rusk came to the college game as a wide receiver who was willing to learn to play tight end.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

January 29, 2024

The class of 2025 is off to a great start for the Fighting Illini football program in terms of recruiting. Today Bret Bielema and his staff received a commitment from Griffin Rousseau, a 6-foot-7, 325-pound offensive tackle from Stoughton, Wisconsin. Rousseau is the second 2025 recruit to pledge to the Illini this month, Michael McDonough is the other.

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

January 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 big QB commitment for the 2025 class from a few angles.

Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst

January 28, 2024

Who's ready for recruiting 2024? Well, the Illini staff sure were. They nabbed their first recruit for the class of 2024 early when Tinley Park Andrew's Michael McDonough committed to the Illini last week.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

January 27, 2024

For years the depth and quality talent level at Illinois in the quarterback position is now on par with some of the other programs that are traditionally at the top of the conference.

Carson Boyd is a 6-foot-0, 170-pound signal caller from Cardinal Ritter College Prep school in Missouri has committed to the Fighting Illini football program.

Sources close to the Illinois football program have confirmed that George McDonald has left his wide receivers coach position as his alma mater to take the same title at Ole Miss.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

January 27, 2024

CHAMPAIGN — Three seasons after finally reuniting with Bret Bielema at his alma mater, George McDonald is leaving Illinois for the same title at a rising program led by Lane Kiffin at the University of Mississippi. 

247Sports.com reporter Matt Zenitz was the first to break the news and sources close to the Illini program confirmed the news to IlliniGuys.com soon afterwards. 

Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst

January 27, 2024

I know I'm going to be taking die hard Illini fans down a long and painful trip down memory lane with this list of names. What do these names have in common? Craig Wilson, Anthony Morris, Mark Jackson (all Class of 2007), Donsay Hardeman, Reggie Ellis, Hubie Graham, Cordale Scott (all 08), Earnest Thomas (10), Dondi Kirby, Clint Tucker (11), Joe Spencer, Dami Ayoola, Vontrell Williams (12), Caleb Day (13), Zarrian Holcombe (16), Dwayne Lawson, Mike Epstein (17), Reuben Unije, Verdis Brown (18), TreVon Riggins (20), Eian Pugh (22). 

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

January 26, 2024

The Fighting Illini football team offered Florida prep Bryan Auguste, a 6-foot-6, 285-pound offensive tackle of Monarch High School. Auguste is a three-star recruit in the class of 2025.

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

January 26, 2024

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at the first 2025 commitment and some more key names set to visit for Junior Day this weekend.

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

January 24, 2024

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll break down the new hire at defensive back.

Illinois bringing in 30-year coaching veteran David Gibbs to […]

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

January 23, 2024

A Michigan prep has a list of great offers for some of the big-name programs in college football. Gregory Patrick from Portage Northern High School in Michigan is a highly touted recruit in the class of 2026.

When Illinois joined the offer list last week, he insisted that Illinois will have a legitimate shot. 

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

January 23, 2024

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at OL Branden Hansen in four categories and break down a big 2025 unofficial visit that just happened.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

January 20, 2024

Missouri football product Jack Brown, a tight end from Francis Howell Central High School in St. Charles, Missouri, was on the Illinois campus last weekend. 

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

January 19, 2024

The Illini received a big-time transfer commit tonight from a Florida State defensive lineman, Dennis Briggs Jr. Briggs is 6-foot-4 and 290 pounds with very good numbers from the Seminoles, 78 tackles, 6.0 sacks, and two forced fumbles.