Football

Illinois defensive tackle Jer'Zhan Newton played more snaps as a defensive tackle than anybody at his position in a power conference since 2018. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

December 15, 2023

CHAMPAIGN - Jer'Zhan Newton certainly got nearly everything possible out of his final year of college football. 

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys & Big Sports Radio National Football Recruiting Expert

December 15, 2023

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at the sudden need at tight end, the impact of Tommy DeVito in the NFL and a new offer for a key position in the portal.

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys & Big Sports Radio National Football Recruiting Expert

December 13, 2023

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at a recent decommitment and if it matters as well as a big potential visitor this weekend who could help in the trenches.

Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer has only done one on-the-record interview since being demoted to the backup quarterback spot in the final month of the 2023 season. 

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

December 12, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athetics)

CHAMPAIGN  — If Bret Bielema is to be believed, the Illini head coach is claiming he learned more about Luke Altmyer in the final three weeks where he wasn’t the starting quarterback. 

After starting the first nine games of the 2023 season following his arrival as a transfer from the University of Mississippi, Altmyer found himself back in a situation he didn’t want for himself again at the college level - a quarterback debate. 

Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst

Cover photo courtesy of Auburn Wire

December 11, 2023

Illinois' coaches have been working hard to address their clear need on the defensive line and the made another quality addition when former Auburn Defensive Tackle Enyce Sledge decided to switch orange and blue uniforms by committing to the Illini. Sledge was "on the plains" as they say at Auburn, for two years but he only saw the field for 15 snaps in his two years. That means figuring out where Sledge will fit in with the Illini involves a lot of guesswork.

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys & Big Sports Radio National Football Recruiting Expert

December 11, 2023

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at a few visitors and an important one coming up as well as break down the latest commitment from the portal.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

December 10, 2023

The Illinois football staff offered Zach Barrett, 6-foot-3, 270-pound offensive line from Orland Park, Illinois, to join the program as a preferred walk-on.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

December 9, 2023

It's commitment Saturday for the Fighting Illini men's football team.

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys.com Director of Recruiting

December. 8, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

It is December and college basketball season, right? Well, yes, but it also means it is the month when football teams can go out to recruit and bring potential prospects on campus. 

The National Signing Day is only a couple of weeks away and the Illinois staff is trying to secure the players already committed and also to lock up a few more potential prospects.

These are the recruits expected to be on campus this weekend, but according to a source, there might be a few late additions:

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

December 7, 2023

Yale football transfer Clay Patterson updated his commitment to Illinois with IlliniGuys today. Clay Patterson is a 6-foot-3 defensive lineman from Frisco, Texas. Patterson committed to Illinois last Saturday via his X page.

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys & Big Sports Radio National Football Recruiting Expert

December 8, 2023

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at a few more key portal targets and a few JUCO players to keep an eye on as Illinois continues to try to upgrade in the trenches.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

December 7, 2023

For the past two summers, Illinois athletic director Josh Whitman has raved about the way head football coach Bret Bielema has been able to retain players in the program in the wild world of the transfer portal. 

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

December 6, 2023 

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

The defensive line depth issue on the Illinois 2024 roster became even more critical on Wednesday morning. 

Sedarius McConnell, who was projected to compete this coming spring for a starting position next season, announced via social media his intention to enter the transfer portal. The 280-pound defensive linemen, who has value at both end and tackle depending on the scheme, played in all 12 games last season with seven tackles. According to Pro Football Focus data, McConnell played 183 snaps of action in the 2023 campaign and with the loss of projected NFL draft picks Jer'Zhan Newton and Keith Randolph Jr. along with starting nose tackle Denzel Daxson and backup defensive linemen Bryce Barnes, McConnell’s role would’ve likely grown starting this spring. 

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys & Big Sports Radio National Football Recruiting Expert

December 6, 2023

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at a huge portal commitment and update the 2024 QB situation for the last time.

 Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

December 5, 2023

The Illinois football staff appears to be locked in with Tyrane Stewart, a cornerback from Magnolia, Mississippi. Now the 6-foot-1, 180-pound cornerback attends East Mississippi C.C. and received an offer from Illinois last week.