In 2023, University of Illinois safety Matthew Bailey missed 11 of 12 games due to injury, and took a redshirt season. The Illini football team went 5-7. Here's Illinois' record for the three seasons where he's been fully healthy and playing every game- 2025: 9-4, 2024: 10-3, 2022: 8-5. That says it all right there, in regards to the defensive back's importance and value to … [Read more...] about Exclusive: Star DB Matthew Bailey Talks ’26 Illini Season, Xavier Scott and More
Illinois Fighting Illini
Illini Star Keaton Wagler Receives NBA Draft Green Room Invite
All-American. Jerry West Award Winner. Final Four. And now, a NBA Draft Green Room Invite. Keaton Wagler has done all these things. The one-and-done to the NBA Draft Illinois Fighting Illini superstar has a very bright future in front him. He's only just getting started. The league decides which prospects extend a green room invite based on a poll of NBA teams, who vote on … [Read more...] about Illini Star Keaton Wagler Receives NBA Draft Green Room Invite
Russell Wilson Will Thrive as TV Analyst, Says His Former Coach, Bret Bielema
Illinois Fighting Illini hhead coach Bret Bielema has known legendary NFL quarterback Russell Wilson since way back when; long before he earned 10 Pro Bowl selections and won Super Bowl XLVIII. During a spring football media session, the 56-year-old Silvis, Illinois native recalled Wilson's getting drafted on the same day as Wisconsin's annual intra-squad scrimmage in 2012. … [Read more...] about Russell Wilson Will Thrive as TV Analyst, Says His Former Coach, Bret Bielema
Andrej Stojakovic Likely Exiting NBA Draft Process, Returning to Illini Next Season
The Illinois Fighting Illini will certainly lose player to the NBA Draft, in Keaton Wagler, who is likely to be selected in the top ten. The Illini will also see one of their players from the 2024-25 team, Morez Johnson, stay in the draft. He'll likely be a late first round selection. Kylan Boswell and Andrej Stojakovic, two key players from this past season's Final Four team, … [Read more...] about Andrej Stojakovic Likely Exiting NBA Draft Process, Returning to Illini Next Season
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