Football

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

December 1, 2023

CHAMPAIGN — An offensive lineman who was an integral part of Bret Bielema’s ‘Barge’ package in the nine-overtime victory at Penn State in 2021 has elected to enter the transfer portal.

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema hinted in his end-of-season media conference that he doesn’t anticipate making any assistant coach changes for the upcoming 2024 season. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

December 1, 2023

CHAMPAIGN — Following a 5-7 campaign, Bret Bielema wanted to make clear that he plans to “double down” on his philosophy and program building mentality.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

November 30, 2023

There is an old saying that coaches are only as good as the players on the field. In Illinois' case, this was evident this past football season. The Illini football team finished the season with a disappointing 5-7 record, leaving a fanbase confused and angry, and some expected it. Illinois lost 12 players to the NFL, some drafted and others signed as undrafted free agents and camp invites. 

Illinois senior-to-be tailback Reggie Love III announces his intention to enter the transfer portal and Illini head coach Bret Bielema claims he wasn’t surprised by the decision after a Sunday meeting with the 2023 leading rusher.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

November 30, 2023

CHAMPAIGN — Illinois’ leading rusher for the 2023 season has announced his intention to enter the transfer portal. 

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

November 30, 2023

Former Illinois prep Landyn Colyer, originally from Crystal Lake South High School, recently moved to Florida last August, where he now attends North Tampa Christian.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

November 29, 2023

Illinois head football coach Bret Bielema has made it on the recruiting trail. When you can get a recruit from the state of Iowa to visit and have serious interest, you are doing something special. 

Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst

November 29, 2023

Matt Stevens is going to love this one after all the Kaden Feagin questions, because now Illinois actually is going to have a running back playing linebacker.

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema and Illini offensive line coach Bart Miller have established the foundation of what they both consider a critical position in the 2024 recruiting class. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

November 28, 2023

CHAMPAIGN — On the afternoon of November 27, 2023, Illinois got a big verbal pledge - literally and figuratively. 

Illinois Athletics Release November 28, 2023 CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois […]

By Larry Smith/Co-Host & Executive Producer, IlliniGuys Sports Spectacuar

November 28, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

Gather 'round, young children, and let me tell you a story.

There was once a college football team called the Fighting Illini of Illinois.  A century ago, this was a proud program that was celebrating its third national championship. The Illini were led by a young sophomore named Red Grange, who would go on to become one of the biggest celebrity athletes of the era.  1923 was when they completed a perfect 8-0 season and when they played their first game in brand-new Memorial Stadium, the stately edifice that would be officially dedicated a year later.  College football was emerging - still far superior and much more popular than the fledging National Football League - with Grange as its poster child on a backdrop of Orange and Blue, colors that U of I grad George Halas adopted for his new pro team, the Chicago Bears.

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys.com Director of Recruiting

November 28, 2023

Illinois is in the mix for Dawayne Galloway Jr., one of the nation's top cornerbacks who was in the house at Memorial Stadium on an official visit this weekend. 

The 6-foot-1 junior from Marion-Franklin in Columbus, Ohio, says he has well over two dozen DI offers.

By Steve Sturm/IlliniGuys Football Analyst

November 27, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

So you remember how Iowa took away Illinois' passes in the middle of the field at the end of the game last week?  Well, this is how you adjust.  I've rarely seen this, but its a tackle to tackle cut block. 

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys.com Director of Recruiting November […]

Ked's Recruiting Roundup

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys.com Director of Recruiting

November. 27, 2023

Illinois lands junior college star Daniel Brown, an edge rusher who will fill a need right away for the 2024 Fighting Illini.

IllinGuys caught up with Brown who said, "I'm excited to be a part of the Illinois family; they have what I'm looking for and what they teach defensively."

By Brad Sturdy - IlliniGuys Insider/Analyst & Co-Host, IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular

November 27, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

The Illini fell to Northwestern on Saturday to finish out what was a truly disappointing 5-7 season for them. Bret Bielema said famously that he didn't come here to go 5-7, and yet two of his 3 seasons have been just that. The season was more disappointing when you look at the teams they faced. The Illini went 0-4 against first year Big Ten coaches and after a 7-1 start a year ago have wins over Northwestern, Toledo, Florida Atlantic, Minnesota, Maryland and Indiana….

Indiana fired Tom Allen, Northwestern let Pat Fitzgerald go, PJ Fleck is on the hot seat at Minnesota and FAU had a 1st year head coach. How many schools had a schedule with 5 first year coaches on it and still couldn’t make a bowl game?....