Football

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

February 14, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Scott Clause/USA Today Network)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Illinois has found Ben Miller’s on-field replacement as the program’s special team’s coordinator and tight ends coach.

The Illinois athletics department confirmed the hiring of Robby Discher as special teams coordinator/tight ends coach.

“We are very excited to have Robby and his family join us here at the University of Illinois,” Illini head coach Bret Bielema said in the university news release. "He will touch our program in many different ways working with our tight ends, specialists, and coordinating our special teams overall. He has proven to have success in every place he has been. I am excited to see and feel his impact here in our program.”

Illinois offers all-purpose athlete Ronnie Royal

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys.com Director of Recruiting

Feb. 13, 2023

Defensive backs coach Antonio Fenelus is in his first season at Illinois, but he has hit the ground running as he recently offered four-star recruit Ronnie Royal III.

The 5-foot-9, 170 pound talent from Gulf Shores, Alabama is an all-purpose athlete who can play several positions on offense and defense due to his explosive speed and athleticism.

Key Walk-Ons - Joep Engbers, Henry Engel, Patrick Mahoney, Nick True, Johnny Schmitt and Ronan Poynton

Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst

February 12, 2023

I know I'm not alone in always holding a special place for walk-ons, and especially those guys who had full scholarship offers at other programs. 

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema says in his February signing day media conference that he’ll resist handing out pay-for-play dollars to players before they make an impact on the field at Illinois. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

February 11, 2023

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- The leader of the football program at the University of Illinois said he’ll resist having name, image and likeness dollars being distributed to any prospect before they make an impact in an Illini uniform. 

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

February 10, 2023

Still working the East Coast for recruits, Illini defensive coordinator Aaron Henry has done well gaining interest in Illinois football from the prep scene there.

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert

February 10, 2023

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I look at two 2024 offensive linemen, a depth chart update and where Illinois stands in Big Ten QB recruiting.

Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

February 9, 2023

Illinois fans, you can fully expect to see a plethora of Illinois offers in the class of 2024.

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert

February 9, 2023

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

Here are my final Big Ten team recruiting rankings and where the Illini stand.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

February 8, 2023

The state of Florida continues to be a hotbed for football talent; Illinois defensive coordinator Aaron Henry hales from Immokalee, Florida.

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert

February 8, 2023

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

Welcome to the Farrell Files Illinois preferred walk on edition. 

The recruiting of late addition 2023 defensive back Mac Resetich involved Bret Bielema withholding the prospect’s information from some of his own assistant coaches inside the facility. 

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

February 7, 2023

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Bret Bielema’s circle of trust involving information about the final signee of the Illinois football 2023 recruiting class was intentionally small.

The level of confidentiality of people not being given top secret clearance to be included were current assistant coaches and staff members inside the Smith Football Center. The recruiting meetings were small in numbers. The in-person contact was covert and the verbal commitment was kept to a need-to-know basis among personnel employed with the football program at the University of Illinois. 

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert

February 6, 2023

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll take a look at some 2024 prospects to watch before I begin my Big Ten positional breakdown next time starting with the QBs.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Football Analyst

February 4, 2023

Just like last year with the late addition of Mathew Bailey

Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst
February 3, 2023

Malik Elzy became the highest rated Illinois signee in several years when he announced his signing at the Under Armour All American Bowl. 

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert

February 3, 2023

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at a Signing Day surprise and finish my 2023 positional breakdown with the defensive backs.