Football

Illinois third-year sophomore Miles Scott not only has found a home in a transition to defense but could find himself in a starting safety role in the 2023 season opener vs. Toledo. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

August 24, 2023

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The common coaching cliche saying which will eventually present itself at some point near the end of preseason football camp of ‘we probably need to play somebody else’ might apply perfectly to Illinois safety Miles Scott. 

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert

August 23, 2023

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll rank LB Easton Baker versus the industry, break down some scheduled visits and rate Illinois against the Big Ten along the defensive line.

Just like the entire spring season, third-year sophomore Josh Gesky spent the final preseason scrimmage on Friday night as the starting right tackle. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

August 23, 2023

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Josh Gesky may be a poster child for how athletes at any level are certainly allowed and in practically every scenario are encouraged to improve. It’s more than unclear if the 2021 version of Bret Bielema would’ve remained confident in a then-freshman Gesky’s ability to help the football program he had inherited.

Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst

August 22, 2023

I feel like I've typed these same words a hundred times since Brett Bielema took over the Illini football program. Where do you find the hidden gems in Florida?

Following three weeks of preseason camp, Illinois has finally announced Ole Miss transfer Luke Altmyer as the Illini’s starting quarterback for the 2023 season opener against Toledo. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

August 21, 2023

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Without ever throwing a pass in an official game, Luke Altmyer has already accomplished something at Illinois that he never did at the University of Mississippi. 

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert

August 21, 2023

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll talk about the new commitment, rank Josaiah Knight versus the industry and give my Big Ten East and West predictions.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

August 20, 2023

College football is just weeks away.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

August 20, 2023

Why is Illinois back on par with the rest of the Big Ten, again? It is result of success after the change in staff was triggered by Lovie Smith's firing. Illinois fans wanted athletic director Josh Whitman to get this hiring right. The Illinois football program could not afford another one-year wonder. At this point, it is clear that Whitman did more than get the hire correct, he hit a home run with the hiring of head coach Bret Bielema. 

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

August 19, 2023

Illinois football coach Bret Bielema has a great track record of hiring great coaches internally and promoting them from the inside.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

August 18, 2023

The Fighting Illini football is going to be named the Big Ten football program from the south. Today, Illinois received yet another football commitment for the class of 2024.

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert

August 18, 2023

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll rank DL/OL Eddie Tuerk against the industry, update the 2024 QB situation and give my Big Ten power rankings.

With Big Ten Network on the scene, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema doing a lot of teaching and being a lot more active during the open media viewing portion of Thursday’s practice session. 

Matthew Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

August 17, 2023

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Good afternoon and welcome to the 12th practice of fall football camp for the Illinois program for the 2023 season in the third campaign of Illini head coach Bret Bielema.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

August 17, 2023

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Despite being without two projected starters on the offensive side of the football in preseason practice on Wednesday afternoon, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema is still counting on only one projected starter to be missing for the 2023 season opener. 

Illinois senior wide receiver Casey Washington was not active and in street clothes throughout the 30-minute media viewing session of Wednesday’s practice. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

August 16, 2023

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Good afternoon and welcome to the 11th practice of fall football camp for the Illinois program for the 2023 season in the third campaign of Illini head coach Bret Bielema.

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert

August 16, 2023

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll rank DE Joe Barna against the rest of the industry, address a QB rumor and rank the Big Ten coaches from top to bottom.