Football

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.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys.com Director of Recruiting

February 2, 2023

Henry Engel, a 6-foot-3, 260-pound lineman

Mac Resetich, a converted baseball prospect, has been signed by Bret Bielema’s Illini program as the 23rd member of the Illini's 2023 signing class

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

February 1, 2023

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Illinois wasn’t going to let the first day of the February signing period without announcing the addition of an unknown project player to its 2023 recruiting class. 

Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst

February 1, 2023

The Illini made a "big" addition via the transfer portal when Ohio University's 6'2, 318-pound Denzel Daxon left the Bobcats to come to Champaign for the remainder of his college football career.