Football

By Larry Smith - Co-Host & Executive Producer, IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular

December 21, 2024

(Cover photo courtesy Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)

It was December 10, 2007. I joined dozens of other journalists on a brisk morning outside the federal courthouse in Richmond, Virginia awaiting the sentencing of Atlanta Falcons Pro Bowl quarterback Michael Vick on dogfighting charges.  Sports writer Dan Wetzel and I had enjoyed friendly sports debates over the years and, as we struck up a conversation, we realized that we had independently put together very similar ideas for a 16-team college football playoff, not just the one-game affair that was decided partially on the field and (still) partially by a committee.

Dan and I agreed that the money would be staggering and we both couldn't understand how people smarter than us hadn't figured that out. Basketball is fun, but football is king. A month-long, 16-team tournament with games on Fridays and Saturdays in December? Nothing would get done in millions of households across the country as the affair would be a money-printing machine for colleges and TV networks alike.

I have shared my version many times over the years including in this space, asking 'what might have been?' if we had a March Madness-like postseason national college football tournament.

Ten days into winter portal session officially opening, Illinois football coaches are spinning a lack of acquisition by selling its success of player retention.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

December 19, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — In the midst of meddling public results in this current transfer portal session, the football coaches inside the University of Illinois are pushing a similar narrative that their program is already fully self-sufficient.

With only two known verbal commitments out of the player acquisition mechanism known as the transfer portal, the public relations path for those inside the Smith Family Football Center is to sell the idea of player retention.

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting December […]

By Steve Sturm - IlliniGuys Football Analyst

December 19, 2024

(Cover photo courtesy Wisconsin Athletics)

Illinois made its first portal addition of the offseason Tuesday when Wisconsin outside linebacker Leon Lowery committed to the Illini.  Lowery started his career with Syracuse and had a fairly strong career there before he transferred to the Badgers last year.  However, Lowery had a mediocre year with Wisconsin in 2024 so it made sense for both he and the Badgers for him to seek a change of scenery in 2025.  Lowery will have a sixth year of eligibility in 2025, one of the last guys you'll see that his able to take advantage of a COVID year since he started at Syracuse in 2020 and played so little in 2020 and 2021 that he was able to redshirt.  Lowery is a very good athlete who has shown spurts of star-quality play in college but hasn't put it all together.  In other words, he's exactly the kind of player Illinois should be after because he could make a huge difference, yet Illinois won't need to rely on him if he doesn't take that next step.

What does he bring to the Orange and Blue?

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

December 19, 2024

(Cover photo courtesy NIU Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, IL – Illinois football is earning a reputation for building its program through depth, player development, and a few proven veteran players rather than becoming a hub for transfer players.

Northern Illinois quarterback Ethan Hampton, originally planning to visit Illinois last week, made a detour to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where he committed to Wake Forest.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuxFdwU1B3g&t=334s    

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

December 17, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The Illinois Fighting Illini added a key transfer to their roster Tuesday night, securing a commitment from defensive end Leon Lowery.

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

Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer announces his return to the […]

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruting

December 13th, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — December is typically basketball season for Illinois fans, but this year is different. The 9-3 Fighting Illini football team is gearing up for the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl on December 31st and the newly active transfer portal is creating a buzz around the program. Illinois is able to market what they have to offer.

Here’s the latest on Illinois’ activity in the transfer portal:

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema and his Illini staff have a plan to address specific positional needs in this current portal opening. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

December 11, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The coaches who work inside the Smith Family Football Complex in Champaign are figuring that winning can dramatically flip the perception of their targets in the transfer portal. 

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

Illinois football is 0-6 all-time against Southeastern Conference opponents and is a 10.5-point underdog to No. 15 South Carolina in 2024 Citrus Bowl. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

December 8, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — No matter the specific situation he has encountered, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema says feels like he’s fighting uphill against the program’s history. 

Illinois has been selected to its second New Year’s […]

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

December 8, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – There were 19 players who had given verbal commitments to Illinois football head coach Bret Bielema and were expected to sign and send in their National Letters of Intent on National Signing Day on Wednesday.

But a 20th such letter was a bit of a surprise.