Football

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.

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:

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. 

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

February 5, 2023

Whitney Young Prep Harrysson Ngassa commits to Illinois Football as Preferred Walk-On.

Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst February 3, 2024 Illinois […]

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

February 3, 2024

Three-star lineman Darrin Strey, a 6-foot-7, 285-pound offensive tackle from Paw Paw, Michigan, recapped his visit with Illinois last weekend. The Illinois staff did a great job of bringing recruits on campus for junior day.