Lonely Game Days Are Gone for Illini WRs, Their Coach Wrote Them a Letter

The 2024 season opener on Thursday night was the first time Illinois wide receivers learned they’ll be receiving a hand-written letter as part of their position coach’s special pre-game ritual. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 1, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — While trying to calm himself down in the lobby of the team hotel on Thursday afternoon before his first game of the 2024 season, Pat Bryant was tapped on the shoulder by his position coach . . .

 

Premium Members Only. Please Subscribe To View The Full Article

  • One-stop destination for Illini sports news, analysis and interactive contents.
  • Weekly podcasts including "Sturdy for 30" and "I on the Illini"
  • Illini Guys Zoom Calls" during games and special events
  • Special appearances by "Illini Legends" and other national sports personalities
  • Video breakdowns and game analysis
  • Owned, managed and run by diehard Illini fans for Illini fans everywhere

Podcasts

1.30.26 - Keaton Wagler's Historic Season & More

Listen

558 Illini Win Lifts the Streak to 10

Listen

557 Sturdy & Stevens on the Keaton Wagler Game

Listen

556 Illini Defeat Purdue 88-82 in the Keaton Wagler Game

Listen

1.23.26 - Illinois vs Purdue - Top 15 Showdown

Listen

555 - CJ Moore Talks Keaton Wagler, the NBA Draft & Illini Tourney Expectations

Listen

554 - Illini Flush Terrapins 89-70 for 8th Win in a Row

Listen

553 Illini Beat Minnesota Winning Streak Up to 7

Listen

1.16.26 - Illini Hoops Update, Portal Kombat & CFP Future

Listen

552 - Illini Break 3-Game Losing Streak at Northwestern

Listen

551 Illini Road Win Over Iowa 75-69

Listen

1.9.26 - Portal Kombat, Illini Women & A'ja Wilson & Illini vs Iowa Coming Up

Listen

550 Illini Crush Rutgers 81-55

Listen

549 Illini Portal Kombat Wins with Steve Sturm

Listen

548 Illini Strangle Penn State 73-65

Listen

Subscriber Testimonials:

"I am a member of three different paid sites, [but] I wanted to tell you that the collective insight from the leadership of this place is second to none.  
 
It is remarkable how often I feel like I know what is going to happen before it happens. I am so appreciative of the obvious hard work that you guys are giving ....
 
You guys, in a short time, have shown me that you are the best at what you do."
Join the conversation here!

Not a member? Join our mailing list:

© 2025 LMBC Sports, LLC. All rights reserved. 

Use of any part of this site constitutes express acceptance of the Site Terms. LMBC Sports, LLC, including its Illini Guys website, is an independent media organization, and is not affiliated with the University of Illinois.