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
illini
Katin Houser Getting Good Protection Key to Illini Hopes in 2026
Veteran quarterback Katin Houser transferred to Illinois from East Carolina, where he put in a very successful 2025 season. Houser, who has good size and some dual threat ability, threw for 3,300 yards and 19 touchdowns (against just 6 interceptions) to go along with 193 rushing yards. It's his last season at the collegiate level, and it provides him an opportunity to … [Read more...] about Katin Houser Getting Good Protection Key to Illini Hopes in 2026
Exclusive: Detroit Lions Superstar Kerby Joseph Mentors Illini DB Juice Clarke
Illinois defensive back Juice Clarke has an elite mentor, in one of the best safeties in the game, Kerby Joseph. The Detroit Lions free safety led the NFL in interceptions in 2024, en route to earning first team All-Pro honors. Joseph is a former Illini, and he's a close friend of current Illinois defensive back Jaheim "Juice" Clark. "He's been watching me for a couple years … [Read more...] about Exclusive: Detroit Lions Superstar Kerby Joseph Mentors Illini DB Juice Clarke
Preseason Expectations for 2026 Illini Football are Rather Mid
We are just hours away from 2026 Big Ten Media Days commencing, and Illini football coach Bret Bielema will be the very first head coach on dais, of the event's first day. Talking season is all about optimism. Everybody, right now, has a sunny summertime outlook on the upcoming season. Everyone is "excited to be here" and "excited to get started." For every team, it's "the … [Read more...] about Preseason Expectations for 2026 Illini Football are Rather Mid
David Mirkovic: Estimated Timeline for Return to Illini Basketball
You saw the official press release yesterday. And most likely, you heard the breaking news before the release went out- Illinois sophomore forward David Mirkovic underwent successful surgery today in Indianapolis after suffering a left foot injury during a team workout in Champaign on July 31. So when will the Niksic, Montenegro native and extremely colorful character be … [Read more...] about David Mirkovic: Estimated Timeline for Return to Illini Basketball
Josh Whitman Shies Away from Illini Athletics ‘Golden Era’ Talk, Won’t Get Complacent
University of Illinois revenue sports are currently in "a golden age." That's a common refrain, often repeated these days. And with good reason, men's basketball is coming off a Final Four appearance, this past April. In Big Ten conference play, they have been the most consistently performing program, over the course of the 2020s. Football is coming off its winningest two-year … [Read more...] about Josh Whitman Shies Away from Illini Athletics ‘Golden Era’ Talk, Won’t Get Complacent
Illini Basketball Becoming NBA Draft Pipeline for Guards, Wings
The NBA Draft is upon Tuesday, June 23, beginning at 7pm CST on ABC/ESPN. The second round is Wednesday, June 24, beginning at 7pm central on ESPN. Illini basketball superstar Keaton Wagler will almost certainly be selected somewhere in the top ten. He could even go top five. Wagler has been officially extended a draft green room invite, meaning he is almost assured of being … [Read more...] about Illini Basketball Becoming NBA Draft Pipeline for Guards, Wings
Exclusive: Star DB Matthew Bailey Talks ’26 Illini Season, Xavier Scott and More
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
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
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