Football

Even before the transfer portal opened Monday morning and was flooded with players, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema had already evaluated the film of hundreds of players. 

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

December 8, 2022

(Cover photo courtesy Ron Johnson/USA Today Sports)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Before the transfer portal window officially opened Monday, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema and his coaching staff had a lot of homework already done. 

Bielema and his recruiting staff led by Patrick Embleton, who is completing his 10th season on the recruiting staff at Illinois, had monitored, identified and cross-checked hundreds of players by Thanksgiving who could be offered by the Illini to play starting in the 2023 season. 

Despite the fact that practically every Football Bowl Subdivision coaching staff knew what was about to transpire in the transfer portal when the calendar flipped to Dec. 5, Illinois was able to do homework on several possible player fits already in the portal coming from FBS programs or from lower divisional programs (FCS, Division II or lower) that would be ready to contribute to Bielema’s operational roster starting this coming spring. 

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert

December 7, 2022

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

The transfer portal has opened for FBS prospects and its complete chaos across college football.

Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst

December 6, 2022

Illinois filled up much of its recruiting class late in the Spring or early in the Summer, so I thought it would be fun to check back for any new videos of the current Illini commitments to see if there was any great improvement in their senior seasons and I found a lot of interesting changes.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting 

December 5, 2022

For the Fighting Illini football program, the roster for the class of 2023 is nowhere near set, so stay tuned; but like all good college athletic programs that are successful, recruiting never stops. This time Illinois is looking to tap into the Show Me State (Missouri) looking to add to its roster. 

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert

December 2, 2022

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

As we inch closer to the Early Signing Period for Illinois, we continue to monitor some top targets and see as others emerge.

Illinois will play in the 2023 Reliaquest Bowl on […]

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

December 4, 2022

Illinois head football coach Bret Bielema said that he is going to build a program the right way: he is going to add depth to a roster that shows stability and, most importantly, a competitive one.

An NCAA football playoff that mimics its basketball tournament isn't as hard as you might think.

By Larry Smith - IlliniGuys Staff

December 4, 2022

(Cover photo courtesy TCU Athletics)

There was one thing missing from college football's Championship Saturday:

Reward.

11th ranked Utah upset #4 USC for the Pac-12 title.  #10 Kansas State stunned 3rd ranked TCU in overtime to take the prize in the Big 12.  Both losses could knock the Trojans and Horned Frogs out of the four-team College Football Playoff.  Neither win does anything for the Utes or Wildcats in their quest for a national title.

So...what's the point?

Veteran defensive back Nicario Harper finds what will be his fourth home in five years out of the transfer portal.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

December 3, 2022

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- The fourth school in the last five years for defensive back Nicario Harper will be the University of Illinois.

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Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert

December 2, 2022

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

December 5 is looming as the first official day the FBS portal opens.

Bret Bielema’s bully ball philosophy nets every 2022 Illinois starting offensive lineman honored with a postseason all-conference selection. 

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

December 1, 2022

(Cover photo courtesy David Craan/Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- It was a two-word message on Twitter by the offensive line coach at the University of Illinois that summed up a major reason for the resurgence of the football program. 

“All Five!!!” Bart Miller tweeted on Nov. 30 with the hashtags of #OLP #Illini #famILLy #GetDeveloped. 

The regular season finale version of the film review showcases how sophomore walk-on quarterback Cole Freeman had no chance for success outside of the pocket. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

November 30, 2022

Ryan Walters had a very specific plan for the sophomore walk-on quarterback his Illinois defense was facing in the regular season finale. 

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert

November 30, 2022

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

Good luck following the transfer portal as it’s already out of control and the FBS window hasn’t even opened.

By Steve Sturm - IlliniGuys Football Analyst

November 28, 2022

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

While Illinois' last regular season game devolved into a JV contest against Northwestern for the second year in a row, I'm still smarting enough from the Wildcats' previous six wins that I'm willing to sit through several more games like that before I'll be satisfied after watching all too many Northwestern celebrations recently.  Regardless, there were still quite a few fun plays to break down before the Mildcats lost their steam and Illinois subbed in the reserves.

I'm going to start this week's report with back to back plays that highlight the present and the future of the Illini running game.  The first play is the play in which Chase Brown got a little dinged up and the second is a similar play to the other side of the field with Reggie Love carrying the ball.