Football

Illinois junior Jackson Buchanan is within two shots of […]

Illinois wide receiver Casey Washington was selected by the 187th overall by the Atlanta Falcons in the sixth round of the 2024 National Football League Draft.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

April 27, 2024

For the first time in 12 years, a wide receiver from the University of Illinois has been drafted into the National Football League. 

Tip Reiman has gone from a 220-pound walk-on to being the first tight end drafted in Illini football history since Michael Hoomanawanui was a fifth-round pick in 2010. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

April 26, 2024

Tip Reiman has gone from a complete afterthought walk-on on the Illinois roster to being the first tight end drafted in the last 14 years of the program’s history. 

Isaiah Adams becomes the first player recruited and signed to Bret Bielema’s Illinois program to be drafted into the National Football League. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

April 26, 2024

The first player recruited and signed to Illinois by head coach Bret Bielema has been drafted into the National Football League. 

Jer'Zhan Newton had to wait an extra day to hear his name called in the 2024 NFL Draft but eventually went to the Washington Commanders with the 36th overall pick.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

April 26, 2024

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

Jer'Zhan Newton will begin his professional football career in the nation’s capital.

The Illinois defensive lineman was selected Friday night in the second round with the 36th overall pick. Newton’s pick means the Washington Commanders have taken Illini players in back-to-back years of the second round after they selected defensive back Jartavius ‘Quan’ Martin with the 47th overall pick in the 2023 National Football League Draft.

Newton was hopeful of being selected in the first round Thursday, which would’ve produced back-to-back years with a first round pick for the Illini program for the first time since Corey Liuget was taken No. 18 overall in 2011 and that was followed by Whitney Mercilus going 26th overall along with A.J. Jenkins being selected 30th overall in 2012. Devon Witherspoon was selected No. 5 overall by the Seattle Seahawks last April and used his first professional season to be the last Illinois alum to be named to the Pro Bowl in their rookie campaign since Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Dick Butkus. In 13 games played, Witherspoon has recorded 68 tackles, 3.0 sacks, a forced fumble and an interception returned for a touchdown. Witherspoon rotated between playing nickel cornerback and on the boundary but still managed to lead all rookies in passes defensed with 16, good enough for fifth in the league.

Illinois is in tie for fourth and 10 strokes behind first-day leader Northwestern as the Illini try to win its ninth straight league championship. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

April 26, 2024

If Illinois is going to continue its current streak of eight straight Big Ten men’s golf titles it’ll take a significant comeback effort. 

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting 

April 25, 2024

The Illinois spring football game attracted talented high school prospects, including 2026 prep Jacob Alexander, a 6-foot-4, 220-pound edge from Frankfort, (IL), from Lincoln-Way East High School.

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

April 24, 2024

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at what’s next for the Illini after the tough loss of DL Nathaniel Marshall.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting April 23, 2024 […]

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

 April 23, 2024

The Illinois football team is in a phase of growth, drawing the attention of potential recruits to Champaign ready to see the team firsthand. Illinois recently held its annual spring football game with several key recruits on campus.

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

April 22, 2024

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at the Illini in the top four for an elite 2025 but also losing out it appears on two big targets.

After the development of projected starter Luke Altmyer and third-year sophomore Donovan Leary, Illinois won’t likely be in the transfer portal market at quarterback. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

April 20, 2024

CHAMPAIGN — For the first time in the Bret Bielema era, Illinois will leave its spring season not turning to the transfer portal to fill a top two spot on its quarterback depth chart. 

Illinois has tried to regain its physical line-of-scrimmage mentality in its 15 spring practices this season, but the Orange-Blue Spring game will be more of an exhibition of fun than ‘Bielema Ball’. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

April 20, 2024

CHAMPAIGN — Don’t expect to see in the spring game the major emphasis of the Illinois coaching staff throughout the previous 14 spring practices.

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

April 19, 2024

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll talk about a massive personnel steal from Notre Dame and a couple four stars in the 2025 class.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting & Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

April 17, 2024

With the transfer portal window opening beginning Tuesday and ending April 30, the Illinois football program has seen necessary attrition in order for Bret Bielema’s program to be active in this offseason.