Mike Cagley, Co-Host Sports Spectacular

August 4, 2025

It’s August and the summer heat is reaching peak levels – just as football practice starts and anticipation of the 2025 Illini football season keeps pace with the temperature. IlliniGuys Staff Writer Matt Stevens is covering the Illini and his daily practice updates have become a staple of Illini fans trying to keep up with the team.

Hail Mary #1 – The Illini Defensive Line Is Big

The list of prospective Illini defensive linemen fighting for playing time is impressive – the list is long, and their physical size is big. James Thompson Jr is 6’6” and 300 pounds, Tomiwa Durojaiye 6’5” and 300 pounds, Jeremiah Warren is 6’3” and 305 pounds, Pat Farrell 6’5” and 280 pounds, Carter Hewitt 6’5” and 290 pounds, Curt Neal is 6’ and 305 pounds and Angelo McCullom is 6’2” and 290 pounds. That is the size of line that attracts attention across the Big Ten.

The Illini defensive back and linebackers are expected to be the strength of the Illini defense. If the defensive line can outperform expectations, this team will make a run at winning double-digit games for back-to-back seasons. This has never happened in Illini history.

Terrance Jamison is respected as one of the better defensive line coaches in the B1G – which means one of the best in the country. He has coached outstanding defensive lineman like Jer’Zhan Newton. This year provides Jamison with the opportunity to prove himself on a national stage. He will certainly have the physical talent to do so. Let’s hope for the injury bug to miss the Illini this fall. We may be seeing the reputation of Coach Jamison grow with the success of his defensive line unit.

Heat Check #1 – The Euros Are Coming

The Illini have two more Euro “imports” coming Champaign to follow in the footsteps of Kasparas Jakucionis in the form of PG Mihailo Petrovic and PF David Mirkovic. Mirkovic has arrived in Champaign, and we will see when Mihailo arrives.

Last year, the Illini learned invaluable lessons in navigating the waters of international eligibility in landing Jakucionis and Tomislav Ivišić and then finding a way get them eligible in time to play for the Illini with no interruptions.

The political and international climate has changed. There are forces out of Illini control influencing the pace and decisions of this process. Thankfully, the Illini have some experience to draw upon. Will it be enough? We will see.

What we do know is the Illini are getting two players who have competed at the highest levels in Europe. Players that can help the Illini in the B1G and in the NCAA tournament. In my eyes, it’s hard to underestimate what Petrovic could mean for the Illini.

Petrovic has the ball handling skills that are needed for an Illini team that is looking to avoid empty possessions. A team that minimizes turnovers is critical for success in big games. A PG that minimizes turnovers is essential for a team that wants to win the B1G and NCAA tournament. The ability to stop runs by opposing teams is anchored by PGs that value the ball, and Petrovic has proven he can avoid TOs while finding his teammates open for easy buckets.

On film, Petrovic’s ball handling skills, agility and court vision should make him a key to Illini victories in the 2025-26 basketball season. Let’s hope that international entanglements don’t get in the way of Illini success.

Hail Mary #2 - Spoiled Illini Fans

Are Illini fans spoiled when it comes to Strength and Conditioning coaches? On the basketball side, everyone in the country knows how good Adam Fletcher is. Look at the results over the Underwood tenure. On the women's basketball side, Kilee Fletcher (Adam's wife) is recognized as one of the best in the country. Certainly, the Illini basketball program has transformed itself under her watchful eye.

At IlliniGuys, we have talked about the Director of Football Strength and Conditioning, Tank Wright. His personality and charisma are unmatched. His enthusiasm is infectious. He is a difference maker on the field precisely by the work he does off the field. I interviewed Tank in the first year of IlliniGuys and one could see at that time; Tank's performance would be a key for future Illini football success. And Tank has performed well!

This season when 47 of the Illini recorded 20 mph speeds and up, its clear what Tank's efforts mean to this program. When you see the size of the offensive and defensive lines, Tank's efforts are critical. The Illini look like a team at the top of the B1G or SEC. That is different than in the past when Illini teams would be dwarfed by the players on teams like Ohio State or Michigan. Those days are long gone.

Illinois fans have been "spoiled" by the efforts and results of three Strength and Conditioning coaches. All three are at the top of their profession. It is nice to be spoiled.

I'm stepping out on a limb, but I believe I speak for all Illini fans when I ask the Illini Strength and Conditioning coaches to keep spoiling us, please.