Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys & Big Sports Radio National Football Recruiting Expert

October 5, 2024

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at a very interesting 2025 offer in a few ways and how the projected roster limits have things in flux.

Trey Peters courtesy of player X page.

Local Illinois TE/WR Trey Peters is a kid I know a lot about as he’s a client for my social media recruiting program. He’s a terrific player at 6-5, 210 with 4.5 speed and he had more than 500 yards receiving and 7 TDs in three games this season for the Mahomet-Seymour Bulldogs before an unfortunate ACL tear. He has the finest surgeon and will be back around the spring but was closing in on an Illinois scholarship offer. Before he got hurt, the Illini oddly offered Grant Smith another local who is less productive. However, Peter and his family met with Bret Bielema and company on Thursday, and he was extended an offer. But is it a scholarship or preferred walk on? There’s the rub. Illinois doesn’t know yet. This is going to be a common situation for many schools as the 2025 recruiting cycle winds down.

Why? The House settlement against the NCAA has yet to be resolved but the feeling is that schools will be allowed to go to 105 full scholarships from 85 as a result of the money owed to programs. And this should happen entering the 2025 season. However, until it’s official no one knows what’s going to happen for sure and staffs have to deal with the current 85 with potential for 20 more. That leaves players like Peters in limbo and bit and he might not even be able to sign until February if it’s not settled by the early signing period.

It’s a very good time for a program like Illinois to extend 105 scholarships. While the roster will be reduced from 120 to 105 which hurts the Illini as they rely on a great walk on program, recruiting momentum for the 2026 class could be very high and they can be less selective in offers.

Peters hasn’t committed yet but he would be a great addition to the 2025 class. Obviously, Bielema and staff are very frustrated they can’t truly offer players over the 85 limit yet, but being aggressive like this is smart.

Mike Farrell, The Godfather of Recruiting