Illinois's Bret Bielema's Personal Journey Impacted Johnny Schmitt to Commit
Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting
December 6, 2022
Just a few days ago, Illinois received a commitment from Johnny Schmitt, a 6-foot-1, 190-pound safety from St. Rita's High School in Chicago.
The Farrell Report - This is a Big Weekend for the Illini
Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert
December 9, 2022
(Mike Farrell also has his own website: https://mikefarrellsports.com/)
We are heading into a big weekend for Illinois recruiting and here’s why.
Wisconsin Star Decommit will Visit Illinois
Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys.com Director of Recruiting
December 8, 2022
College football fans, hold on to your hats: the world of recruiting is about to heat up, in all phases.
Bret Bielema’s Illini Staff Did Their Homework Before Transfer Portal Day
Even before the transfer portal opened Monday morning and was flooded with players, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema had already evaluated the film of hundreds of players.
By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst
December 8, 2022
(Cover photo courtesy Ron Johnson/USA Today Sports)
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Before the transfer portal window officially opened Monday, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema and his coaching staff had a lot of homework already done.
Bielema and his recruiting staff led by Patrick Embleton, who is completing his 10th season on the recruiting staff at Illinois, had monitored, identified and cross-checked hundreds of players by Thanksgiving who could be offered by the Illini to play starting in the 2023 season.
Despite the fact that practically every Football Bowl Subdivision coaching staff knew what was about to transpire in the transfer portal when the calendar flipped to Dec. 5, Illinois was able to do homework on several possible player fits already in the portal coming from FBS programs or from lower divisional programs (FCS, Division II or lower) that would be ready to contribute to Bielema’s operational roster starting this coming spring.
The Farrell Report - The Transfer Portal and Signing Day MashUp
Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert
December 7, 2022
(Mike Farrell also has his own website: https://mikefarrellsports.com/)
The transfer portal has opened for FBS prospects and its complete chaos across college football.
Football Recruiting Spotlight - Checking in on the Commits: Offense
Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst
December 6, 2022
Illinois filled up much of its recruiting class late in the Spring or early in the Summer, so I thought it would be fun to check back for any new videos of the current Illini commitments to see if there was any great improvement in their senior seasons and I found a lot of interesting changes.
Illinois Football Making Inroads to 2024 Class
Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting
December 5, 2022
For the Fighting Illini football program, the roster for the class of 2023 is nowhere near set, so stay tuned; but like all good college athletic programs that are successful, recruiting never stops. This time Illinois is looking to tap into the Show Me State (Missouri) looking to add to its roster.
The Farrell Report - Transfer Portal Promises to be Exciting
Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert
December 2, 2022
(Mike Farrell also has his own website: https://mikefarrellsports.com/)
As we inch closer to the Early Signing Period for Illinois, we continue to monitor some top targets and see as others emerge.
Illini Headed to ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa For Second Time in School History
Illinois will play in the 2023 Reliaquest Bowl on […]
Illinois Football will be Active in the Portal Starting Monday
Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting
December 4, 2022
Illinois head football coach Bret Bielema said that he is going to build a program the right way: he is going to add depth to a roster that shows stability and, most importantly, a competitive one.
What If We Had A March Madness-like Delirious December?
An NCAA football playoff that mimics its basketball tournament isn't as hard as you might think.
By Larry Smith - IlliniGuys Staff
December 4, 2022
(Cover photo courtesy TCU Athletics)
There was one thing missing from college football's Championship Saturday:
Reward.
11th ranked Utah upset #4 USC for the Pac-12 title. #10 Kansas State stunned 3rd ranked TCU in overtime to take the prize in the Big 12. Both losses could knock the Trojans and Horned Frogs out of the four-team College Football Playoff. Neither win does anything for the Utes or Wildcats in their quest for a national title.
So...what's the point?
Former FCS All-American DB Commits to Illini
Veteran defensive back Nicario Harper finds what will be his fourth home in five years out of the transfer portal.
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
December 3, 2022
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- The fourth school in the last five years for defensive back Nicario Harper will be the University of Illinois.
Football Transfer Portal - Nicario Harper to Illinois
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The Farrell Report - FBS Portal Rumors
Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert
December 2, 2022
(Mike Farrell also has his own website: https://mikefarrellsports.com/)
December 5 is looming as the first official day the FBS portal opens.
Illini Get All Five OL Starters on All-Big Ten Honors
Bret Bielema’s bully ball philosophy nets every 2022 Illinois starting offensive lineman honored with a postseason all-conference selection.
By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst
December 1, 2022
(Cover photo courtesy David Craan/Illinois Athletics)
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- It was a two-word message on Twitter by the offensive line coach at the University of Illinois that summed up a major reason for the resurgence of the football program.
“All Five!!!” Bart Miller tweeted on Nov. 30 with the hashtags of #OLP #Illini #famILLy #GetDeveloped.
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