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Kaden Feagin Has Highest 2026 NFL Draft Stock of Any Illini

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With the 2025 NFL Draft now behind us, it's already time to start looking ahead to the 2026 class. And given that the Illinois Fighting Illini will be a preseason top 15, maybe even top 12, kind of team, future NFL talent abounds. It's very early, and obviously a lot is going to change, but right now, tailback Kaden Feagin leads the way when it comes to Illini with NFL Draft … [Read more...] about Kaden Feagin Has Highest 2026 NFL Draft Stock of Any Illini

Flashback: Illinois Football Has Five National Championships

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Since we're talking about Illinois football playoff possibilities this upcoming season, and thus, dreaming of bigger things, let's do a Flashback Friday to the program's five national titles. Yes, Illinois football has five, count 'em five national titles on their program CV. Of course, these were all in the days long before the polls, like the Harris interactive, UPI, BCS … [Read more...] about Flashback: Illinois Football Has Five National Championships

Jaguars, Illini Legend Kevin Hardy on NFL Draft Past and Present

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Editor's Note: Flashback to 2020, and our interview with Kevin Hardy, the #2 overall pick in the 1996 NFL Draft.  NFL Draft Day is here, and with it, we conversed with a man who knows it well- Kevin Hardy. The man who was rated the #15 best Jacksonville Jaguars player of all time by the club website, discussed the NFL Draft- how it's grown, what his experience was like, and … [Read more...] about Jaguars, Illini Legend Kevin Hardy on NFL Draft Past and Present

Illini Football News and Notes: Josh McCray, Recruiting Rankings

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It has been a very eventful off-season for the Illini football program. In 2025, they'll return 18/22 starters from a team that went 10-3, won the Citrus Bowl and finished #16 (one spot ahead of Alabama) in the final AP poll. Obviously, the outlook for this team is very positive, as it should be, as spring football nears its conclusion. Lots of Illini football news and notes … [Read more...] about Illini Football News and Notes: Josh McCray, Recruiting Rankings

Hank Beatty Could Become the Illini WR1 Next Season

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One of the biggest benefits of bowl games is that they provide a glimpse into what is to come the next season. With every bowl game opt-out, a new opportunity is presented for someone else to step in and fill that void. And most of the time it's somebody who will then take on a greater role within the team during the next season. Illinois wide receiver Hank Beatty is a … [Read more...] about Hank Beatty Could Become the Illini WR1 Next Season

Illini Citrus Bowl Win Broke Program Barriers, Set New Milestones

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Believe it or not, the Citrus Bowl includes a college football game- it's not just an infomercial for cheese-flavored crackers. It was one hell of a ballgame too as the #20 Illinois Fighting Illini came in as 10 pt. underdogs and upset #15 South Carolina 21-17, marking the school's first ever win over a SEC team! It was also the first win for the Illini in a traditionally … [Read more...] about Illini Citrus Bowl Win Broke Program Barriers, Set New Milestones

2024 Illini Football vs the 2022 Team: Who’s Better and Why

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It is quite common, within the world of sports, to feel that the status quo will never change for the better. Until one day it finally does, and then that one long-awaited breakthrough leads to a new standard, and with that, a new ceiling. You saw that with the 2022 Illini football team, which was Bret Bielema's second year in charge of the program. That team laid the … [Read more...] about 2024 Illini Football vs the 2022 Team: Who’s Better and Why

#20 Illinois Fighting Illini vs #15 South Carolina Gamecocks: Citrus Bowl Preview

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When the 2024 Citrus Bowl, featuring the #15 South Carolina Gamecocks vs the #20 Illinois Fighting Illini kicks off on Tuesday, it will be a bowl game where both sides will be near full strength. Lots of stars in both offensive backfields will be taking part, as this is a game with very few major opt-outs. Although it is worth noting that both sides will be without their … [Read more...] about #20 Illinois Fighting Illini vs #15 South Carolina Gamecocks: Citrus Bowl Preview

Citrus Bowl Opt-Outs: Illinois vs South Carolina

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In looking at the list of opt-outs for the 2024 Citrus Bowl, or any bowl game for that matter, one has to remember Christian McCaffery. For better or worse, the San Francisco 49ers star running back is considered the Godfather of the bowl game opt-out. He's the O.G. the who started it all. McCaffery skipped the 2016 Sun Bowl, where his Stanford side beat North Carolina … [Read more...] about Citrus Bowl Opt-Outs: Illinois vs South Carolina