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Recruiting

Sep 28, 2024; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Northern Illinois Huskies quarter back Ethan Hampton (2) throws a pass against the North Carolina State Wolfpack during second quarter at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images

Former Northern Illinois QB Ethan Hampton Signs With Illinois

The three-star transfer quarterback de-committed from Wake Forest to pivot to the Illini

Zain Bando
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Sep 28, 2024; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Northern Illinois Huskies quarter back Ethan Hampton (2) throws a pass against the North Carolina State Wolfpack during second quarter at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images
Football

Former Northern Illinois QB Ethan Hampton Signs With Illinois

The three-star transfer quarterback de-committed from Wake Forest to pivot to the Illini

Zain Bando
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Recent Articles

Jul 23, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema speaks to the media during the Big 10 football media day at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images
Football

Illinois Football's Bret Bielema Provides Transfer Portal Update

The Illini coach has had a hectic two weeks preparing for the Citrus Bowl while also mining the transfer portal

Zain Bando
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Aug 30, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Leon Lowery Jr. (8) during the game against the Western Michigan Broncos at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Football

Illinois Football Signs Key Outside Linebacker Transfer From Wisconsin

Leon Lowery Jr. will have one year of eligibility left when he joins the Illini for the 2025 season

Jason Langendorf
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Oct 26, 2024; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema watches the game against the Oregon Ducks during the second half at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
Football

Bret Bielema Welcomes Illinois' 2025 Recruiting Class – But Not NCAA Changes

The Illini coach discussed the team's newcomers Thursday but is disturbed by recent changes to the recruiting process

Zain Bando
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Nov 13, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood applauds the crowd before a against the Oakland Golden Grizzlies at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images
Basketball

Illinois Basketball Signs Four-Star Guard Keaton Wagler

The 6-foot-6 senior guard from Shawnee, Kansas, Wagler officially signed with the Illini on Thursday

Jason Langendorf
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Oct 19, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini cheerleaders perform before kickoff against the Michigan Wolverines at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images
Football

Tight End Logan Farrell Passes on North Carolina, Commits to Illinois Football

In-state three-star recruit flips his commitment from Tar Heels to Illini, reports On3 Recruits

Jackson Langendorf
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Sep 20, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema talks with an official during the second quarter against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images
Football

2025 Big Ten Football Recruiting Rankings: Illinois' Position Revealed

As the early Signing Day approaches, recruiting battles are heating up. Rich Cirminiello updates Illinois' class ranking compared to the rest of the Big Ten.

Rich Cirminiello
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Brandin Podziemski, Wisconsin's 2021 Mr. Basketball, Picks Illinois
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Recruiting

Brandin Podziemski, Wisconsin's 2021 Mr. Basketball, Picks Illinois

Brandin Podziemski, a Top 100 2021 wing from St. John's Northwestern Military Academy in Wisconsin, gives his verbal pledge to Illinois on Tuesday

Matthew Stevens
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Illini Hope to Find Gem With Late 2021 Commit of DB Kionte Curry
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Recruiting

Illini Hope to Find Gem With Late 2021 Commit of DB Kionte Curry

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema and his staff hope they've found a unique case fall-through-cracks type of recruit in the form of Florida three-star defensive back prospect Kionte Curry.

Matthew Stevens
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Illini Find 2021 Wing With Verbal Commitment of RJ Melendez
Recruiting

Illini Find 2021 Wing With Verbal Commitment of RJ Melendez

Ramses Melendez, a 6-foot-7, 195-pound forward, who announced his decision to verbally pledge his services to Illinois via an Instagram video Monday.

Matthew Stevens
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How Bielema's Long Friendship With High School Coach Led to Illini RB Signee
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Recruiting

How Bielema's Long Friendship With High School Coach Led to Illini RB Signee

Bret Bielema may want you to believe it was fate that landed him 3-star tailback Josh McCray. McCray's high school coach knows Bielema's personal commitment to know different.

Matthew Stevens
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VIDEO: Bret Bielema February Signing Day Media Conference
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Recruiting

VIDEO: Bret Bielema February Signing Day Media Conference

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema discussed several topics during his February signing day Zoom conference with national, statewide and local media.

Matthew Stevens
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Fmr. Arkansas & East Carolina TB Chase Hayden Commits to Illinois
Recruiting

Fmr. Arkansas & East Carolina TB Chase Hayden Commits to Illinois

Chase Hayden, who signed and played with Bret Bielema's Arkansas program, has committed to play for Bielema again at Illinois.

Matthew Stevens
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Illini Get First Commit of Bret Bielema Era: 3-star 2021 TB Joshua McCray
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Recruiting

Illini Get First Commit of Bret Bielema Era: 3-star 2021 TB Joshua McCray

Joshua McCray, a 2021 three-star tailback from Enterprise (Ala.) High School, announced his verbal pledge to the Illini Tuesday morning on Twitter.

Matthew Stevens
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Illinois Selling 4-Star 2021 Wing Jordan Nesbitt As the Next Ayo
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Recruiting

Illinois Selling 4-Star 2021 Wing Jordan Nesbitt As the Next Ayo

Four-star 2021 wing player Jordan Nesbitt says Illinois is selling him on the system that is flourishing for star guard Ayo Dosunmu.

Matthew Stevens
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VIDEO: Illini 2021 3-star OL Commit Josh Kreutz w/ Illini Now/SI's Lauren Withrow
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Recruiting

VIDEO: Illini 2021 3-star OL Commit Josh Kreutz w/ Illini Now/SI's Lauren Withrow

Illinois 2021 three-star OL commit Josh Kreutz sits down for an exclusive interview with Illini Now/Sports Illustrated correspondent Lauren Withrow.

Lauren Withrow
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The Football Family Affair For Illini 2021 Commit Josh Kreutz
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Recruiting

The Football Family Affair For Illini 2021 Commit Josh Kreutz

2021 three-star OL Josh Kreutz talks his family of football, his verbal pledge to Illinois and his plans for his senior year at Loyola Academy

Lauren Withrow
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2021 4-star St. Louis Wing Jordan Nebsitt Has Illini in Final Three Choices
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Recruiting

2021 4-star St. Louis Wing Jordan Nebsitt Has Illini in Final Three Choices

Four-star 2021 wing Jordan Nesbitt says he’s down to Illinois, Saint Louis and Memphis and will be committing on his birthday, Oct. 1.

Matthew Stevens
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Illini 2021 4-Star Target Brandon Weston To Commit On Sept. 1
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Recruiting

Illini 2021 4-Star Target Brandon Weston To Commit On Sept. 1

Brandon Weston, a four-star 2021 Illinois target, confirmed on Twitter Tuesday afternoon he'll make his college verbal commitment on Sept. 1.

Matthew Stevens
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Four-Star 2021 Wing Brandon Weston Names Illinois In His Top Six
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Recruiting

Four-Star 2021 Wing Brandon Weston Names Illinois In His Top Six

Could the Morgan Park to Illini pipeline continue with Brandon Weston? Four-star wing forward names Illinois in his top six.

Matthew Stevens
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Florida 2021 3-Star SI All-American Candidate QB Walter Simmons III Chooses East Carolina Over Illinois
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Recruiting

Florida 2021 3-Star SI All-American Candidate QB Walter Simmons III Chooses East Carolina Over Illinois

Illinois football missed out on commitment of 2021 Florida 3-Star Sports Illustrated All-American Candidate QB Walter Simmons III.

Matthew Stevens
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High School Football In Illinois Moves To Spring; What Will Top Prospects Do?
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Recruiting

High School Football In Illinois Moves To Spring; What Will Top Prospects Do?

The state of Illinois will not have a fall high school football season and will attempt to have football in an abbreviated spring schedule.

Matthew Stevens
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‘The Zoom Meetings Are What Separate Illinois’: Recruit Talks BLM, George Floyd & Playing Madden With Illini Coaches On Zoom
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Recruiting

‘The Zoom Meetings Are What Separate Illinois’: Recruit Talks BLM, George Floyd & Playing Madden With Illini Coaches On Zoom

Illini verbal commitment DD Snyder says he was able to have a personal connection with the Illinois coaching staff after an organized Zoom call specifically on George Floyd and Blacks Lives Matter.

Matthew Stevens
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3-star ATH Theodore Lockley’s commitment to Illinois’ 2021 class lasted under 40 days
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Recruiting

3-star ATH Theodore Lockley’s commitment to Illinois’ 2021 class lasted under 40 days

Lockley, a 6-foot and 175-pound 2021 class athlete, sent out a message on Twitter Monday afternoon confirming he was reopening his recruitment.

Matthew Stevens
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2021 3-Star OG Zachary Barlev Flips From Bowling Green To Illinois In One Day
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Recruiting

2021 3-Star OG Zachary Barlev Flips From Bowling Green To Illinois In One Day

Illinois gets its second in-state prospect in the form of a flip as 2021 three-star OG Zachary Barlev decommits from Bowling Green in order to make a pledge to the Illini.

Matthew Stevens
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