Football

Illinois coaches knew after losing three defensive backs to the 2023 NFL Draft, finding experience wherever they could out of transfer portal was a necessity. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

May 24, 2023

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- The Illinois coaching staff never believed that just because they lost Devon Witherspoon, Jartavius Martin, Sydney Brown and Kendall Smith from its secondary meant they had to be replaced with youth and inexperience. 

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert

May 24, 2023

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll update on a surprising new commitment and some news on a few 2024 targets.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

May 23, 2023

Receiver Michael Thompson III is an outstanding football prospect

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys.com Director of Recruiting

May 23, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Southern Illinois University Athletics)

Bret Bielema's Fighting Illini added some experience to their secondary as Southern Illinois transfer safety Clayton Bush pledged to the Illini.

Illinois head coach confirms on WSCR’s ‘Mully and Haugh’ that third-year sophomore Josh Kreutz “is going to be our starting center” in the 2023 season.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

May 23, 2023

During his Chicago media tour last week, Bret Bielema let it slip who will be touching the football first for his offense in the 2023 season. 

Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys.com Director of Recruiting

May 22, 2023

When you go bowling and you have a proven head football coach in Bret Bielema, who CBS Sports listed as one of the nation's top 25 coaches in college football, that is saying something.

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert

May 22, 2023

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll break down transfer DB Demetrius Hill from FIU.

Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys.com Director of Recruiting

May 21, 2023

College recruiting is the best, if you ask me--in today's world, it does not matter what sport it is, it is an all-year-round job.

Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst

May 21, 2023

Former Florida International Demetrius Hill jumped into the starting safety mix for the Illini with both feet by committing to the Illini as a transfer, and Illini nation is buzzing.

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert

May 19, 2023

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll update on the second QB Illinois was recruiting and an update on a few old names and one kinda new to this column.

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert

May 17, 2023

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at a courtesy visit from a 5-star and some players they actually have a chance with.

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert

May 15, 2023

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll talk about the big transfer commitment and a couple others who could be next.

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys.com Director of Recruiting

May 14th, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Larry Blustein.com)

Today the Fighting Illini football program received some great news from transfer Demetrius Hill. When you have one of the nation's best defenses like Illinois did last year, players want to be a part of it. Hill made it official early afternoon Sunday.

Hill was named to the Conference USA All-Freshman team and the FWAA FBS Freshman All-American team last year while playing at Florida International. The Illini got in early with Hill, even though he entered the portal in the middle of April. 

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert

May 12, 2023

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at another QB candidate for 2024, a new 2025 QB target and a huge transfer portal visit this weekend.

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert

May 10, 2023

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at a new offer with ties to the new QB commit and break down the strengths of two players who could be commitments soon.