Football

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema isn’t permitted to resign from his current position to become a head coach at another Big Ten Conference school, including his alma mater Iowa, through Jan. 31, 2029. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
August 3, 2023

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Bret Bielema recently signed an amendment to his contract with the University of Illinois that unconditionally restricts him from taking another Big Ten Conference head coach job over the course of the six-year deal. 

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert

August 2, 2023

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll continue ranking this class so far player by player with OL Brandon Hansen and I’ll look at the tight end units in the Big Ten and where the Illini stand.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

(Cover photo courtesy Trey Petty's Twitter page)

(Editor's Note: Matt posted this premium information earlier today on the IlliniGuys.com members forum.)

So...I'm starting to hear from sources close to the situation that the Ole Miss offer to Trey Petty is more than just a courtesy offer.

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert

July 31, 2023

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll talk about the hire of Jim Leonhard and go over a few new offers for kids who are far from committing.

(Editor's Note: College Football Hall of Fame wide receiver […]

For the second straight season, Illinois will be putting out a Power Five Conference quarterback transfer as its starter. 
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

July 28, 2023

Luke Altmyer courtesy Illinois Athletics

The personality and demeanor of the new quarterback at Illinois in 2023 could never be confused with the quarterback who walked out of the door after one successful season in 2022. 

Once again, a Bret Bielema program is once again tasked with replacing a Doak Walker finalist at tailback - something he’s got extensive experience doing in his coaching career. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

July 27, 2023

Cover photo credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Doak Walker Award finalist Chase Brown is no longer a safety blanket for the Illinois offense as he enters his first professional training camp looking to win a role with the Cincinnati Bengals as they try find their way to another AFC playoff run.

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema was finally able to publicly address some of his roster additions via the transfer portal and junior college transfer players at Big Ten Football Media Days.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

July 27, 2023

Cover Photo Credit: Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports

INDIANAPOLIS -- The University of Illinois athletics department released an updated roster for the 2023 season on Tuesday with new player additions who were unable to be officially confirmed because they had not yet been enrolled in the university. 

Leonhard had a surgical procedure on his hip but […]

Curry’s departure puts Illinois at 16 scholarship defensive backs […]

Illinois will have one of the most experienced and highly sought-after left sides of an offensive line in the form of Julian Pearl and Isaiah Adams.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

July 26, 2023

Cover photo credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

In Bret Bielema’s first season at Illinois, Jordyn Slaughter never got a chance to fully show the Illinois coaching staff what he was fully capable of achieving. 

Leonhard, a former interim head coach and defensive coordinator […]

Isaiah Williams’ third year as a starter at wide receiver allows for him to be the most prolific pass catcher that has ever been on a roster led by Illini head coach Bret Bielema. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

July 25, 2023

There seem to be a lot of narratives surrounding the idea that Illinois won eight regular season games in 2022 without having a prolific passing attack.

The hiring of Robbie Discher finally gives the Illini tight ends its own positional coach for the first time since Ben Miller was diagnosed with cancer. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

July 24, 2023

Since Ben Miller took himself out of action to undertake his fight against cancer, the tight ends at the University of Illinois have been without arguably its most crucial element: A coach.

Illinois will likely go with the orange-blue-orange look with the helmet, jersey and pants combination when they open the 2023 season vs. Toledo at Memorial Stadium on Sept. 2. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

July 24, 2023

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Illinois has unveiled its three sets of uniform combinations for the 2023 season.