Football

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

August 3, 2023

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Good evening and welcome to the first preseason camp practice 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.

The opening of preseason practices on Thursday night will be the first opportunity that Illinois coaches will get a look at new key faces in the defensive backfield. 

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

August 3, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Miami Herald)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — In several ways, the reloading of the Illinois defensive backfield begins on Thursday night at Memorial Stadium. 

In the first closed preseason practice, scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. on the stadium turf, Illinois coaches will get their first look at some key additions to the roster that were acquired in the transfer portal spring window and some freshmen who were unable to get enrolled for spring practices. Some of these key new additions, including 2022 Freshman All-America selection Demetrius Hill of Florida International University and safety Clayton Bush of Southern Illinois, will be trying to quickly show why they deserve to be in the rotation of Aaron Henry’s secondary as the Illini defensive coordinator transitions to his first full season as the play-caller on that side of the ball. 

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema isn’t permitted to resign from his current position to become a head coach at another Big Ten Conference school, including his alma mater Iowa, through Jan. 31, 2029. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
August 3, 2023

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Bret Bielema recently signed an amendment to his contract with the University of Illinois that unconditionally restricts him from taking another Big Ten Conference head coach job over the course of the six-year deal. 

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert

August 2, 2023

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll continue ranking this class so far player by player with OL Brandon Hansen and I’ll look at the tight end units in the Big Ten and where the Illini stand.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

(Cover photo courtesy Trey Petty's Twitter page)

(Editor's Note: Matt posted this premium information earlier today on the IlliniGuys.com members forum.)

So...I'm starting to hear from sources close to the situation that the Ole Miss offer to Trey Petty is more than just a courtesy offer.

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert

July 31, 2023

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll talk about the hire of Jim Leonhard and go over a few new offers for kids who are far from committing.

(Editor's Note: College Football Hall of Fame wide receiver […]

For the second straight season, Illinois will be putting out a Power Five Conference quarterback transfer as its starter. 
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

July 28, 2023

Luke Altmyer courtesy Illinois Athletics

The personality and demeanor of the new quarterback at Illinois in 2023 could never be confused with the quarterback who walked out of the door after one successful season in 2022. 

Once again, a Bret Bielema program is once again tasked with replacing a Doak Walker finalist at tailback - something he’s got extensive experience doing in his coaching career. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

July 27, 2023

Cover photo credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Doak Walker Award finalist Chase Brown is no longer a safety blanket for the Illinois offense as he enters his first professional training camp looking to win a role with the Cincinnati Bengals as they try find their way to another AFC playoff run.

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema was finally able to publicly address some of his roster additions via the transfer portal and junior college transfer players at Big Ten Football Media Days.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

July 27, 2023

Cover Photo Credit: Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports

INDIANAPOLIS -- The University of Illinois athletics department released an updated roster for the 2023 season on Tuesday with new player additions who were unable to be officially confirmed because they had not yet been enrolled in the university. 

Leonhard had a surgical procedure on his hip but […]

Curry’s departure puts Illinois at 16 scholarship defensive backs […]

Illinois will have one of the most experienced and highly sought-after left sides of an offensive line in the form of Julian Pearl and Isaiah Adams.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

July 26, 2023

Cover photo credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

In Bret Bielema’s first season at Illinois, Jordyn Slaughter never got a chance to fully show the Illinois coaching staff what he was fully capable of achieving. 

Leonhard, a former interim head coach and defensive coordinator […]

Isaiah Williams’ third year as a starter at wide receiver allows for him to be the most prolific pass catcher that has ever been on a roster led by Illini head coach Bret Bielema. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

July 25, 2023

There seem to be a lot of narratives surrounding the idea that Illinois won eight regular season games in 2022 without having a prolific passing attack.