Football

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys.com Director of Recruiting

October 23, 2022

Mason Muragin, a 6-foot-4, 235-pound edge from Warren, Michigan, committed to Illinois back in June. Muragin has several offers from mid-majors, but Illinois saw the talent in Muragin that other Power-5 schools did not.

Muragin said in an earlier statement, "That's why the Illinois coaching staff is better than most. They go out, find talent, see things they are looking for and are confident in making players better."

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys.com Director of Recruiting

October 22, 2022

Saboor Karriem is one of the most sought-after three-star recruits in the entire country. No disrespect
meant to several recruiting services, but Karriem is one of the best cornerbacks in the class of 2023.
One publication ranks Karriem as the 85th best at his position nationally; Karriem is fully aware of the
rankings.

Today, he's an Illini.  The senior star committing to Bret Bielema's program fully confident of what he can do once he makes it onto the field in Champaign.

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys.com Director of Recruiting

October 22, 2022

When Marques Easley walked out of the recruiting area at Memorial Stadium last Saturday, he looked the part of a college senior already. He is a 6-foot-7, 300-pound offensive tackle from Kankakee with a very bright football career ahead of him.

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert

October 21, 2022

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

Things are starting to heat up for Illini football recruiting in the 2023 class with three big pieces of news this week.

By Zain Bando - IlliniGuys Student Correspondent October 20, […]

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys.com Director of Recruiting

October 20th, 2022

(Cover photo courtesy Dez'Mond Schuster's Twitter account)

Illinois has been courting junior college offensive linemen all across the country, today the Illinois staff landed a big-time prospect in Dez'Mond  Schuster.

Illinois has enough confidence in its abilities to see the talent and develop talent. That's the most popular buzz around the classes of 2023 and 2024. Illinois doesn't care about rankings, they see talent in players that others don't.

Illini running back Chase Brown is on nearly every […]

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys.com Director of Recruiting

October 19, 2022

(Cover photo courtesy Chicago Sun-Times)

The Illinois coaching staff was hoping for the news they got late last night. Malik Elzy, a 6-foot-3, 195-pound All-Starter from Chicago Simeon, is once again a big target after decommitting from Cincinnati.

Illini coach Bret Bielema has his team at 6-1, […]

A few Illinois nuggets on the recruiting trail as they offer new JUCO prospects and are recruiting teammates of ’23 priority Jyaire Hill.

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert

October 18, 2022

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

Following a hot start to the season, Illini football has a growing issue on their hands.

(From the University of Illinois Sports Information Department)   […]

By Steve Sturm - IlliniGuys Football Analyst

October 18, 2022

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

As I write this, Illinois Football is basking in the glow if it's #18 ranking in the nation and is looking at a week off to get healthy before heading to Nebraska to take on the Cornhuskers in two weeks.   I have to be honest here, I am enjoying writing these trench reports more and more as the Illini football program gets rolling because as I re-watch the game and take it apart piece by piece every week I get more and more encouraged by what I'm seeing.  The Illini coaching staff and players are really growing together right now and it certainly shows on the field.

Tommy DeVito showed another side to himself that was already evident from his time at Syracuse but seen first-hand on Saturday: toughness. 

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

October 17, 2022

(Cover photo courtesy Ron Johnson/USA Today Sports)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Illinois got an injection of New Jersey tough on Saturday before quarterback Tommy DeVito got a long introduction to the training room inside the Smith Football Center. When the Illini quarterback arrived at the Smith Center on the morning of Oct. 9, just hours after being knocked out of the 9-6 win over Iowa, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema knew his player was serious about his treatment schedule - and maybe nothing else. 

“So, Tommy rolls up on Sunday and he’s got a black fleece robe, a pair of eye shades on up on forehead, a slipper on one foot and a boot on the other and a bag of (McDonald’s) and I told him that you look like a guy right out of ‘The Breakfast Club’, right out of the movie,” Bielema said Saturday. “Of course, he didn’t have any idea what that movie was.” 

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert

October 17, 2022

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

Following a surprising 6-1 start to the 2022 season, Illini football has newfound swagger on the recruiting trail.

Illinois ranked in both the Associated Press Top 25 […]