Football

In the back half of his five-year tenure at Arkansas, Bret Bielema hired assistants straight from the National Football League and in 2023, he says he’s interested in doing so again. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

January 14, 2023

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Illinois still hasn’t filled the assistant coach openings at the positions of outside linebacker and running backs and the Illini leader says he’s looking at the three-letter professional league for candidates.

By Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert

January 13, 2023

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

It’s been kind of quiet on the portal front since ECU OL transfer Avery Jones flipped his commitment from Illinois to Auburn and Bret Bielema flipped out on social media. Could this mean less work in the portal? And a couple more names have emerged as visitors this weekend.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

January 13, 2023

David Olano, a 5-foot-10, 160-pound kicker from Naperville, Illinois, committed to Illinois in June of 2022. 

Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst

January 12, 2023

Illinois made its first 2023 addition via the transfer portal when safety Nicario Harper decided to transfer from Louisville to Illinois for his last year of eligibility.

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert

January 11, 2023

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

The Illini continue to stalk the portal quietly and I continue to break down the 2023 class with the wide receivers in this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois.

Former East Carolina center Avery Jones has renounced his verbal pledge to Illinois to attend Auburn. Illinois head coach Bret Bielema tweets “College football is changing everyday. #NIL”.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

Cover Photo Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

January 10, 2023

Seven days from being scheduled to attend his first class at the University of Illinois, Avery Jones has decided to be at another place other than Champaign for the 2023 season. 

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

January 10, 2023

Saturday on national television (NBC), the Fighting Illini received some great news in regard to their continued recruiting success.

Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst

January 9, 2022

I'm sure Illinois fans would have liked to finish the season with a win

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert

January 9, 2023

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

In this Farrell Files Illinois edition

Illinois left tackle Julian Pearl was named All-Big Ten honorable mention selection last month by both the coaches and media contingent inside the league.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

January 8, 2023

A multi-year starter at one of the most important offensive line positions has elected to return to Illinois for next season. 

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

January 7, 2023 

There is an old saying about striking while the iron is hot.

Isaiah Adams, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema’s latest junior college biggest success story in his overall pilgrimage to restore the Illini offensive line, is returning to college for the 2023 season. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

January 7, 2023

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Arguably the most physically punishing Illinois offensive lineman in the 2022 season is returning for his final year of eligibility. 

Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Basketball Analyst

January 6, 2023

Illinois added its third four-star quarterback in two calendar years on Thursday as Luke Altmyer from Mississippi decided to join the trend of Mississippi natives coming to Champaign.

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert

January 6, 2023

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

A couple of 2025 updates and why Luke Altmyer is a good fit for what Illinois wants to do in this Farrell Files Illini edition.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting 

January 5, 2023

Owen Strebig, a 6-foot-7, 285-pound offensive tackle from Catholic Memorial High School