Football

“He’s special”: Freshman WR Malik Elzy Already Turning Heads in Excitement Before First Game at Illinois

“He’s special”: Freshman WR Malik Elzy Already Turning Heads in Excitement Before First Game at Illinois

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer August 10, 2023 CHAMPAIGN, […]

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Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Andre Lovett

Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Andre Lovett

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

August 10, 2023

If you love recruiting, then September 16 should be a very big and exciting weekend if you are an Illinois fan.

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Illini Football 2023 Preseason Camp Practice Report No. 6 - Three New Injuries From Projected Contributors

Illini Football 2023 Preseason Camp Practice Report No. 6 - Three New Injuries From Projected Contributors

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer and now Intrepid Photographer

August 9, 2023

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Good afternoon and welcome to the sixth practice of fall football camp for the Illinois program for the 2023 season in the third campaign of Illini head coach Bret Bielema that begins under lights in Memorial Stadium.

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Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Barron Sholl

Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Barron Sholl

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

August 9, 2023

During college football season, the Fighting Illini football program has finally put itself in a position where it will bring in a range of 10-150 recruits at a time from all across the country.

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Illini Offensive Line Slowly Coming Into Form

Illini Offensive Line Slowly Coming Into Form

The starting right side of the 2023 Illinois offensive line might be taken by two guard starters from last season. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

August 9, 2023

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — By the middle of the 2022 season, Illinois football had arguably the best interchangeable guard tandem in the form of Zy Crisler and Jordyn Slaughter. 

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The Farrell Files Illinois - Angelo McCullom Evaluation and a 2025 Wisconsin TE

The Farrell Files Illinois - Angelo McCullom Evaluation and a 2025 Wisconsin TE

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert

August 9, 2023

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll rank DE commit Angelo McCullom vs the rest of the industry and update on a new TE offer in the 2025 class.

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NOTEBOOK: Illini’s ‘KO’ Trying to Knock Out New Linebacker Spot; Illinois Searching For 4th & 5th WR; Bielema Excited About Houston Griffith Hire

NOTEBOOK: Illini’s ‘KO’ Trying to Knock Out New Linebacker Spot; Illinois Searching For 4th & 5th WR; Bielema Excited About Houston Griffith Hire

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

August 8, 2023

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — In a common defensive set for Illinois, two linebackers lined up somewhere in the middle of the field with vastly different responsibilities are typically required. 

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Column: How Geography And Greed Decimated The Pac-12 And Put The Big Ten In The Expansion Driver's Seat

Column: How Geography And Greed Decimated The Pac-12 And Put The Big Ten In The Expansion Driver's Seat

(Editor's note: IlliniGuys co-founder Larry Smith also serves as co-host and executive producer of the IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular syndicated radio show.  He is a 35-year veteran in the broadcast journalism field, more than half that time spent as an anchor, correspondent, and host for CNN Sports and Turner Sports.  He shared his thoughts on this latest wave of expansion on the IlliniGuys premium message forums this weekend.)

August 8, 2023

As we steady ourselves from the tremors beneath our feet from the massive shift in college football we experienced on Friday, two things are clear: the Big Ten is responsible and there really isn't much the Pac-12 could have done to avoid its impending demise.

Maybe if they'd cranked out a new media deal two years ago, then USC and UCLA would have stayed.  But such an arrangement at that time - and with three years left on their existing contract - would have been unlikely.  When you consider that we were barely out of the pandemic at that time, you can shut the door on that 'what-if'.  Even if they had, the SEC and then the Big Ten struck landmark agreements that would have made a new, richer Pac-12 deal immediately obsolete.  Think new Comiskey Park and then Camden Yards opening a year later.

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Illini Football 2023 Preseason Camp Practice Report #4 - Malik Elzy Already in the WR Two-Deep

Illini Football 2023 Preseason Camp Practice Report #4 - Malik Elzy Already in the WR Two-Deep

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

August 7, 2023

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Good afternoon as we’ve transitioned into the second week of fall football camp for the Illinois program for the 2023 season in the third campaign of Illini head coach Bret Bielema that begins under lights in Memorial Stadium.

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The Farrell Files Illinois - Caleb Pyfrom Evaluation and Upcoming Visits

The Farrell Files Illinois - Caleb Pyfrom Evaluation and Upcoming Visits

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert

August 7, 2023

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll rank OL Caleb Pyfrom compared to the rest of the industry and talk about a few upcoming visits.

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Heat Checks and Hail Marys – When it Comes to Realignment, 10 Days are an Eternity

Heat Checks and Hail Marys – When it Comes to Realignment, 10 Days are an Eternity

Mike Cagley, Co-Host IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular and Big Sports […]

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Illini Football 2023 Preseason Camp Practice Report #3 - First Night in Shoulder Pads

Illini Football 2023 Preseason Camp Practice Report #3 - First Night in Shoulder Pads

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

August 6, 2023

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Good evening and welcome to the third evening of fall football camp for the Illinois program for the 2023 season in the third campaign of Illini head coach Bret Bielema that begins under lights in Memorial Stadium.

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Illini AD Josh Whitman Championing Big Ten’s Addition of Washington & Oregon

Illini AD Josh Whitman Championing Big Ten’s Addition of Washington & Oregon

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer August 5, 2023 CHAMPAIGN, […]

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Illini Football 2023 Preseason Camp Practice Report #2 - Matthew Bailey’s Lower Right Leg Immobile

Illini Football 2023 Preseason Camp Practice Report #2 - Matthew Bailey’s Lower Right Leg Immobile

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

August 4, 2023

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Good evening and welcome to the second evening of fall football camp for the Illinois program for the 2023 season in the third campaign of Illini head coach Bret Bielema that begins under lights in Memorial Stadium.

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The Farrell Files Illinois - Zafir Stewart & New Illini Recruiting Strategy

The Farrell Files Illinois - Zafir Stewart & New Illini Recruiting Strategy

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert

August 4, 2023

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll personally rank OL Zafir Stewart and how the recruiting strategy has changed heading into Bret Bielema’s third season.

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