The University of Illinois announced their All-Decade Team this week. We'll start with the defense, and we'll open with the defensive linemen: Will Davis, Corey Liuget, Brandon Moore, Chris Norwell and Derrick Strong named to the 31-player team. The squad, which honors Illini who played between 2000-10, was compiled by a combination of fan voting and input from Division of … [Read more...] about Illini Football All-Decade Team Announced: Part 1 Defense
Martez Wilson
Martez Wilson Drafted by The New Orleans Saints
It took a lot longer than many experts expected, but Illinois' Martez Wilson is taking his talents south. Not to South Beach, granted, but to one heckuva fun city. Early in the third round the New Orleans Saints drafted Martez Wilson and ended what was becoming something of a precipitous slide for the former Fighting Illini linebacker. "You know, the past couple of … [Read more...] about Martez Wilson Drafted by The New Orleans Saints
NFL Draft’s First Two Rounds Will Feature Some Illini
For the fourth year in a row, the first couple rounds of the NFL Draft will feature a couple names from your Illinois Fighting Illini. Tailback Rashard Mendendall went in the first round in '08, cornerback Vontae Davis was the 25th overall pick in '09, and last year, wide receiver Arrelious Benn was just a couple picks off from being a first round selection. With all this … [Read more...] about NFL Draft’s First Two Rounds Will Feature Some Illini
What we Learned from Fighting Illini Football Spring Game
A small select group of things are certain in life- death, taxes, and Fighting Illini football seasons ending up much different than what you expected in the preseason. Last year's team wasn't expected to really do much- Yet the finished 7-6 (despite a very difficult schedule) and with a quite decisive bowl victory. Conversely, in '08 and '09, expectations were sky-high … [Read more...] about What we Learned from Fighting Illini Football Spring Game
Fighting Illini Spring Football Game Preview
Now that Mikel Leshoure left the Illini early for the NFL Draft, (and who can blame him really? He will be one of the first three running backs taken next week) Illinois college football is now headlined by sophomore QB Nathan Scheelhaase. It's his team. And if he continue to makes strides like he did from the season finale to the Texas Bowl, things will be fine. The 15 … [Read more...] about Fighting Illini Spring Football Game Preview
Breaking: Illini LB Martez Wilson Entering NFL Draft
And the first of the three Illinois Fighting Illini dominoes falls. Linebacker Martez Wilson, the player with the lowest draft stock of the three, is declaring for the NFL Draft. This is a big surprising to me, as he had a good, but not great season in 2010. And his junior season was much more productive than his other two years in school. Still, you know the NFL scouts love … [Read more...] about Breaking: Illini LB Martez Wilson Entering NFL Draft
Illini Football Next Level Defenders: Corey Liuget and Martez Wilson
Don't be surprised if the Illini run the table the rest of the way. Even if they don't, already at 5-3, (3-2 in Big Ten) they have greatly improved upon last year's 3-9 mark and will likely make their way into a pretty decent bowl. This season is a pleasant surprise to say the least. The MVP of 2010 is probably newly installed defensive coordinator Vic Koenning. The Illini … [Read more...] about Illini Football Next Level Defenders: Corey Liuget and Martez Wilson
Ron Zook on The Rose Bowl, Being Relaxed and Martez Wilson at Media Day
Perhaps the fate of University of Illinois football coach Ron Zook DOES lie in this year's performance. He's not feeling the pressure to win now, however, either way. "No, I don't, to be honest with you," Zook said at Monday's media day press conferences. "I think everyone that stands up here today has got pressure. Obviously some of us have more than others. I think the … [Read more...] about Ron Zook on The Rose Bowl, Being Relaxed and Martez Wilson at Media Day