It goes without saying that 2026 will be a "changing of the guard" type of season for Illini football. Immediate living legend of a starting quarterback Luke Altmyer, top pass rusher Gabe Jacas, leading receiver Hank Beatty, team captain and free safety supreme Miles Scott are all gone. As is an overwhelming majority of the starters on both lines, and a couple more starters in … [Read more...] about TE Christian Abney: Emerging Illini Football Player to Watch in 2026
Illinois Fighting Illini
Kylan Boswell: Strengths, Weaknesses of former Illini PG as NBA Combine Nears
This past Friday saw the NBA Draft Combine invite list, 73 names long, released, and it included three Illinois Fighting Illini. Shooting guard and Jerry West Award wiiner Keaton Wagler, point guard/combo guard Kylan Boswell and small forward Andrej Stojakovic. Wagler is set to become a top 10, maybe even 5 overall pick. Stojakovic, who has a mid-to-late second round grade, … [Read more...] about Kylan Boswell: Strengths, Weaknesses of former Illini PG as NBA Combine Nears
Potential 2026-27 Illini Basketball Depth Chart; Consensus Top 5 Team
As April turns to May, it appears that the Illinois Fighting Illini basketball roster is now set for 2026-27. And if that is indeed the case...it's a great place to be. After the flurry of roster decisions completed, we now have "The Great Retention." And when you're coming off a Final Four appearance, not to mention a regular season that was good enough to earn a #3 seed, it's … [Read more...] about Potential 2026-27 Illini Basketball Depth Chart; Consensus Top 5 Team
Illinois Fighting Illini 2026 NFL Draft: News, Notes, Nuggets and Tidbits
Another NFL Draft has come and gone, and as it stands now, the Illinois Fighting Illini football program has sent 261 players, all-time, to the NFL Draft. The Illini have had at least one player selected in each of the past seven NFL Draft, with more than one being taken in six of those years. Illini head coach Bret Bielema has had 59 NFL Draft picks during his 17 seasons at … [Read more...] about Illinois Fighting Illini 2026 NFL Draft: News, Notes, Nuggets and Tidbits
Illini Edge Gabe Jacas Fills New England Patriots Biggest Need
This week, it would have been easy to forget that the New England Patriots are in fact a football club. Right now it feels like they're actually a reality show instead. However, the Patriots, like the other 31 NFL franchises, are in fact making drft picks right now, and they selected Illinois edge rusher Gabe Jacas with the 55th overall pick in the draft. One of the most … [Read more...] about Illini Edge Gabe Jacas Fills New England Patriots Biggest Need
Illini Head Coach Bret Bielema Sees a Bit of Vederian Lowe in NFL Draft Prospect J.C. Davis
Former Illinois Fighting Illini left tackle J.C. Davis is likely to hear his name called at some point on Saturday in the NFL Draft. Most prospect big boards have him in the range of 110s-170s overall. That is basically the mid fourth to early sixth round. Perhaps the Oakland native and New Mexico transfer could surprise, and get selected on Friday night, in the third round, … [Read more...] about Illini Head Coach Bret Bielema Sees a Bit of Vederian Lowe in NFL Draft Prospect J.C. Davis
Illinois Basketball: Where the Roster Now Stands After Flurry of Decisions
Wednesday brought a massive flurry of news for Illinois basketball. David Mirkovic, Jake Davis, Tomislav and Zvonimir Ivisic all confirmed that they are coming back for next season. Then on Thursday morning, we learned that Ty Rodgers is entering the transfer portal. So what does the current roster look like for 2026-27 Illinois basketball? This chart below is up to date, … [Read more...] about Illinois Basketball: Where the Roster Now Stands After Flurry of Decisions
Josh Whitman Brought a New Golden Era to Illini Athletics
When Richard Nixon, the 37th President of the United States, gave his farewell address it included this famous quote: "only when you're in the lowest valley, do you know how magnificent it is to be on the highest mountain." As the Illinois men's basketball team heads to Indianapolis this weekend, to face UConn in the Final Four, one can't help but think of this quote. Illinois … [Read more...] about Josh Whitman Brought a New Golden Era to Illini Athletics
Illini Land Stefan Vaaks, Fill Shooting Guard Void Left by Keaton Wagler Departure
As soon as it opened, the men's basketball transfer portal had a flood of names in it. It was well over 1,000 names, and then quickly surpassed 2,000, just like that. And pretty soon, the transfer market was open, and recruiting efforts were already well underway. The Illinois Fighting Illini got a very sought after asset in Providence shooting guard Stefan Vaaks. He fills this … [Read more...] about Illini Land Stefan Vaaks, Fill Shooting Guard Void Left by Keaton Wagler Departure
Illini Basketball Transfer Talk: John Blackwell, Mihailo Petrovic, Toni Bilic
March Madness is now over and the transfer portal is open, so you know what that means, Illini basketball fans- the silly season is here. It's time for the first 2026 edition of Illini basketball transfer talk, and we have items on three different players: John Blackwell, Mihailo Petrovic and Toni Bilic. By the way, and this is no surprise here, Keaton Wagler has officially … [Read more...] about Illini Basketball Transfer Talk: John Blackwell, Mihailo Petrovic, Toni Bilic