
Heat Checks & Hail Marys - Illini Hoops Loss, Ryan Day Strikes Back, Illini Football Finishes #16 & NIL Evened the Battlefield
Mike Cagley, Co-Host Sports Spectacular and Big Sports Radio […]
Heat Checks & Hail Marys - Illini Hoops Loss, Ryan Day Strikes Back, Illini Football Finishes #16 & NIL Evened the Battlefield
Mike Cagley, Co-Host Sports Spectacular and Big Sports Radio […]
Ked's Recruiting Roundup: Sunday's Football List of 2026 Prospects to Date
By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting
January 21, 2025
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — College football officially concluded Monday night, with the Big Ten claiming back-to-back national titles—Michigan in 2024 and Ohio State in 2025.
Recruiting, however, never rests. The Illinois Fighting Illini appear to be taking full advantage of the recruiting period following their Citrus Bowl victory over South Carolina, 21-17.
Football Recruiting Spotlight on Landen Von Seggern
By Steve Sturm - IlliniGuys Football Analyst January 18, […]
‘I’m just tired of the disrespect’: Illini QB Luke Altmyer Ready to Be A Northern College Football Field Carrier
Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer, a Starkville, Miss., is happy […]
Recruiting Spotlight on Ayden Knapik
By Steve Sturm - IlliniGuys Football Analyst
January 17, 2025
I have to admit this addition really surprised me. Like most Illini football scribes, I could see that Illinois was going to need an experienced wideout who could get open reliably (Hudson Clement). They were going to need at least two experienced defensive linemen, and they added three (James Thompson, Curt Neal and Tomiwa Durojaiye). They needed to bring in some competition at punter (Keelan Crimmins). An experienced edge rusher and a tight end with more than one year of eligibility were also on my secondary list, and Leon Lowery and Davin Stoffel agreed to come to Champaign to fill those minor holes.
Ked's Recruiting Roundup: Illinois Invades Nebraska for OG Landen Von Seggern
By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting
January 15, 2025
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Nebraska's lack of interest in three-star offensive lineman Landen Von Seggern turned out to be Illinois' gain. The 6-foot-3, 280-pound standout from Millard South High School in Omaha, Nebraska, made an official visit to Champaign last weekend, where he also attended the USC-Illinois basketball game and felt it was the place for him as he gave his verbal commitment Wednesday morning.
Football Recruiting Spotlight on Davin Stoffel
Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst
January 14, 2025
Davin Stoffel of South Dakota State became the latest key addition to the Illini portal recruiting class when he joined the Illini tight end corps with three years of eligibility remaining to add key depth for the coming year as well as an important building block for 2025.
Football Recruiting Spotlight on Keelan Crimmins
Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst
January 13, 2025
Illinois checked the final item off its offseason shopping list when Purdue punter Keelan Crimmins transferred for the second time in two years. Crimmins is an Australian who learned the American game at the Australian kicking academy.
Ked's Recruiting Roundup: Illinois Offers Florida Hidden Gem Defensive Back
By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting
January 12, 2025
(Cover photo courtesy player's Hudl page)
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois head coach Bret Bielema discussed his unique recruiting strategy during a recent press conference, on how his staff identifies talent overlooked by other programs. The Illini carefully assess players before extending offers, knowing their evaluations often prompt other schools to follow suit within 24 hours.
Ked's Recruiting Roundup: Why Illinois' Davon Grant? 'Bret Bielema doesn't lie.'
By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting
January 10, 2025
(Cover photo courtesy player's page on X)
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Are you surprised that Illinois head football coach Bret Bielema landed one of the state’s top prospects from the Class of 2026? After an early-week meeting with Bielema, 6-foot-4, 200-pound junior wide receiver Davon Grant of DeKalb made his decision: he would stay home and play for his state university.
Ked's Recruiting Roundup: Illinois Gets Tight End Davin Stoffel from South Dakota State
By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting
January 9, 2025
(Cover photo courtesy South Dakota State Athletics)
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois has added more to next year's roster with the addition of tight end Davin Stoffel, a 6-foot-6, 250-pound sophomore from Mosinee, Wisconsin. Stoffel, who will have three years of eligibility remaining, comes to the Illini from South Dakota State.
Stoffel is set to join Tanner Arkin and Cole Rusk in Illinois’ tight end group next fall. His arrival adds much-needed depth to a position that saw the departure of Henry Boyer, who transferred to Kentucky earlier this year.
OL Ayden Knapik Transfers to Illinois
Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting
January 9, 2025
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The Illinois football program has been actively working to fine tune its offensive line with not just added depth but also high-caliber talent. Their efforts paid off with the addition of Idaho Vandals standout Ayden Knapik, a 6-foot-6, 295-pound senior from Kennewick, Washington.
Ked's Recruiting Roundup: Illinois Football Coach Bret Bielema Cuts Off Big Ten Foes for WR Davon Grant
By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting January […]
Illini Find Transfer Portal Punter With Addition of Aussie Specialist Keelan Crimmins
Former Purdue and Mississippi State punter Keelan Crimmins has reportedly agreed to join Illinois for his third season of college football.
By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst
January 8, 2025
(Cover photo courtesy Alex Martin/Journal and Courier)
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Bret Bielema’s extensive search of the punter market in the transfer portal has concluded with the acquisition of a player who had one of the best kicking seasons among power four conference players.
Former Purdue punter Keelan Crimmins has reportedly agreed to transfer to Illinois and will be available for the 2025 season. CBS Sports.com and 247Sports.com were the first to report this news on Wednesday evening.
Bielema, who just finished his fourth season as the Illinois head coach, said on Dec. 28 in a media session following a Citrus Bowl practice in Orlando, the position of punter would be a priority search in the transfer portal this offseason.
Illini Football: Year In Review
January 8, 2025
(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)
2024 was one of the best years in Illini football history. A team that even the most optimistic fan thought might break even and win as many games as they would lose exceeded all expectations, taking advantage of marquee appearances on national TV, and setting up the program for what could be an unprecedented 2025...double-digit wins in consecutive years for the first time and a spot in the College Football Playoff.
Let's take a look back: