Football

Will Isaiah Williams Play for Illinois in 2023? ‘That’s the plan, as of right now’

Will Isaiah Williams Play for Illinois in 2023? ‘That’s the plan, as of right now’

After watching assistant coach Cory Patterson leave for Ryan Walters’ staff at Purdue, Illinois wide receiver declines to guarantee his plans for 2023. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

December 29, 2022

TAMPA, Fla. -- Isaiah Williams has once again been introduced with an adult decision to his college football career. 

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Could Illinois Future Quarterback Picture Start to Take Shape?

Could Illinois Future Quarterback Picture Start to Take Shape?

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

Cover photo courtesy MSN.com

December 28, 2022

Luke Altmyer, Ole Miss courtesy MSN.com

Getting a veteran quarterback is still up in the air.

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Illini QB Tommy DeVito Confirms ReliaQuest Bowl Will End College Career

Illini QB Tommy DeVito Confirms ReliaQuest Bowl Will End College Career

Illinois quarterback Tommy DeVito details what he says was a four-week process on a possible eligibility waiver. 

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

December 28, 2022

(Cover photo courtesy Matt Stevens/IlliniGuys)

TAMPA, Fla. -- Tommy DeVito will end his college football career in the 2023 ReliaQuest Bowl. 

The Illinois quarterback confirmed Wednesday afternoon that the bowl game on Jan. 2 against Mississippi State will be his final college football game before beginning preparation for the upcoming NFL Draft. 

Before the media availability at Raymond James Stadium immediately following the team’s picture, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema has been intentionally vague about the situation when asked about DeVito’s status for the 2023 season. Following the first day of early signing period on Dec. 21, Bielema said “I’m not saying it has sailed but there’s a hope there’s a way out there that could get him back” and unless that waiver denial by the NCAA Eligibility Center was confirmed in the last seven days, the Illinois staff were already well aware that DeVito’s final game would be in Tampa, Fla. 

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The Farrell Report - Quarterback Analysis

The Farrell Report - Quarterback Analysis

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert

December 28, 2022

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

As we transition from the Early Signing Period for the 2023 class to the portal, I’ll start with a look at how the high school class can impact at each position.

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Heat Checks and Hail Marys - Illini Nation Not Very Happy Right Now

Heat Checks and Hail Marys - Illini Nation Not Very Happy Right Now

Mike Cagley, Co-Host IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular December 27, 2022 […]

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Recruiting Spotlight on Kaleb Patterson

Recruiting Spotlight on Kaleb Patterson

Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst

December 26, 2022

Illinois officially lost Devon Witherspoon to the NFL Draft.

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Football Recruiting Spotlight on Jeremiah Warren

Football Recruiting Spotlight on Jeremiah Warren

Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Writer

December 25, 2022

Illinois made a much-needed addition to its recruiting class on Tuesday when Jeremiah Warren from two-time Michigan state champion Belleville High School chose the Illini. 

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Wisconsin Football Prep Eyeing the Illini

Wisconsin Football Prep Eyeing the Illini

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting 

December 24, 2022

Owen Strebig, a 6-foot-7, 285-pound offensive tackle from Waukesha, Wisconsin, was just offered by Illinois.

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Illini RB Chase Brown Enters NFL Draft; Will Not Play in ReliaQuest Bowl

Illini RB Chase Brown Enters NFL Draft; Will Not Play in ReliaQuest Bowl

Illinois running back Chase Brown ends college career second-most […]

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The Farrell Report - Holiday Quiet

The Farrell Report - Holiday Quiet

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert

December 23, 2022

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

The Early Signing Period is almost over and we will see more activity in the transfer portal after the holidays. Here’s the latest.

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Illini RB Coach Cory Patterson Joining Ryan Walters’ Purdue Staff

Illini RB Coach Cory Patterson Joining Ryan Walters’ Purdue Staff

Patterson’s move means Bret Bielema’s on-field coaching staff has three assistant coach openings for the following season. Patterson is the fourth 2022 Illini staff member to go to Purdue. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

December 22, 2022

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- The only assistant coach who was retained during the head coach transition from Lovie Smith to Bret Bielema has now left the Illinois staff. 

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Bret Bielema Sees Illini 4-Star Signee Kaden Feagin As His Next Great College Tailback

Bret Bielema Sees Illini 4-Star Signee Kaden Feagin As His Next Great College Tailback

From the moment he popped on the film of Kaden Feagin as a sophomore in high school, Bret Bielema knew the highly touted Arthur product was his next version of a line lineage of tailbacks. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

December 21, 2022

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Let there be no misunderstanding where on the field that Bret Bielema sees the highest ranked prospect in Illinois’ 2023 recruiting class. 

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National Signing Day: Illinois Welcomes Its Next Class of Winners

National Signing Day: Illinois Welcomes Its Next Class of Winners

December 21, 2022

Coming off its best season since 2007, the Illinois football team looks to the future as verbally committed student-athletes lock in their pledges with signed National Letters of Intent.

IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst Matt Stevens and Director of Recruiting Kedric Prince introduce us to the newest Illini here!

For complete access to player bios, stories, and expert analysis, join IlliniGuys.com:  https://illiniguys.com/subscribe/

OT Zachary Aamland

DE Alex Bray

DB Jaheim Clarke

WR Collin Dixon

P Declan Duley

OLB/DE Patrick Farrell

RB Kaden Feagin

TE Nathan Guinn

LB Antwon Hayden

OL Brandon Henderson

DB Saboor Karriem

OL TJ McMillan

DE Mason Muragin

PK David Olano

DB Kaleb Patterson

OL Dezmond Schuster

DE/OLB Calvin Smith

QB Cal Swanson

DB Zachary Tobe

DL Jeremiah Warren

ATH/DB/WR Kenari Wilcher

Player bios:

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The Farrell Report - Attention Grab, or Not?

The Farrell Report - Attention Grab, or Not?

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert

December 21, 2022

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

4-star DB Jyaire Hill could be a dogged bullet for Illinois, and I’ll tell you why.

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Bret Bielema & Illinois Agree to 6-Year Deal Worth At Least $6 million Annually

Bret Bielema & Illinois Agree to 6-Year Deal Worth At Least $6 million Annually

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema agrees to a six-year […]

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