Football

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. 

Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst

February 2, 2024

Illinois has just shown that it has a type at quarterback, right? If you're a high three-star QB who's a good athlete but also has good but not great throwing ability, you should expect a call from the Illini because that is the type of player Barry Lunney, Jr. has targeted with all three of his quarterback choices so far.

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

February 2, 2024

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at some big-name guys that Bret Bielema is trying to hang in with.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

February 1, 2024

One of the most convenient prep football players in the state of Illinois in the class of 2025 is Andre Lovett, an athlete from Blue Island, Illinois. The Illinois native was once again on campus, giving Illinois the attention and the Illini returning the level of excitement.

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

January 31, 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 (and expected) commitment from OT Griffin Rousseau and another player on commit watch.

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.