Football Recruiting Spotlight on Kayden Bennett by Steve Sturm
“Illinois' early summer recruiting blitz continued when Suffield (CT) Academy's rusher Kayden Bennett pledged to the Illini to become the 20th member of the Class of 2026.”
illiniguys.com/football-rec...
IlliniGuys Report-Summer Basketball Update by @kedprince4.bsky.social
“As for Andrej Stojakovic, he’s as good as advertised. A dynamic scorer, he can fill it up from all areas of the court. Coaches expect him to draw plenty of fouls and live at the free-throw line.”
illiniguys.com/keds-illinig...
@kedprince4.bsky.social’s IlliniGuys Report: Summer Basketball Update
“As for Andrej Stojakovic, he’s as good as advertised. A dynamic scorer, he can fill it up from all areas of the court. Coaches expect him to draw plenty of fouls and live at the free-throw line.”
illiniguys.com/keds-illinig...
@mikecagley.bsky.social’s Heat Checks & Hail Marys – The Illini Football Return to Greatness Movie & How NIL Has (and Could’ve) Changed the NBA Draft
illiniguys.com/heat-checks-...
Matthew Stevens: How Did Cameron Wagner Get Used to Nationwide Recruiting Interest?
4-star prospect Cameron Wagner is still mentally balancing being the No. 1 Illinois offensive lineman in the 2027 class while still maintaining small-town roots and values.
illiniguys.com/stevens-how-...
Matthew Stevens: One-and-Done Moments For Jakucionis & Riley Represent ‘source of achievement’ for Illini Program
Underwood and several members of the coaching staff will be in New York to view 2 one-year talents get drafted for the first time in program history.
illiniguys.com/stevens-one-...
@kedprince4.bsky.social: 'Go to the Green Room' - Brad Underwood's About to Reach A Goal As Illini Coach
“Brad Underwood, Orlando Antigua, Geoff Alexander, and Adam Fletcher, will all be in attendance at the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center.”
illiniguys.com/kedric-princ...
Illinois Football Not Only Dominating in Recruiting, It's Who They're Beating That's Turning Heads
@kedprince4.bsky.social: “Rivals currently ranks Illinois’ 2026 recruiting class 7th in the country, trailing only USC and Ohio State in the Big Ten.”
illiniguys.com/keds-recruit...
High School, Prep School, AAU Basketball, Can It Compete With Transfer Portal Now?
@kedprince4.bsky.social: “If high school basketball wants to remain relevant, it will need to find a way to outshine portal dominance. What that move might be remains to be seen.”
illiniguys.com/keds-recruit...
Football Recruiting Spotlight on Parker Crim
Steve Sturm: “Parker Crim is a 6'3, 235 pound end who put up video game numbers last year …. He also had at least four high major offers (Iowa State, Boston College and Kentucky). ”
illiniguys.com/football-rec...
Illini Maintain Top 8 Spot Following Day 1 of NCAA Men’s Golf Championships
Matthew Stevens: The trio of Ryan Voois, Max Herendeen and Jackson Buchanan managed to combine to post 2-under-par 286 to lead the Illini to a three-way tie for fifth place.”
illiniguys.com/illini-maint...
Could the Peoria Pipeline Reopen for Illinois Men’s Basketball?
@kedprince4.bsky.social: “Quinton Kitt, a 6-foot-6, 205-pound wing, received an offer from Illinois. It could potentially reignite the long-dormant Peoria-to-Champaign recruiting pipeline.”
illiniguys.com/keds-recruit...
IlliniGuys NCAA Golf Tournament Feature - Matthew Stevens
Illinois head coach Mike Small has elected to go with a pair of freshmen, Jake Birdwell and Trey Marrion, in his opening round lineup for the NCAA Championships starting Friday.
illiniguys.com/stevens-illi...
IlliniGuys Feature by Matt Stevens
As new long-term contracts for the football and men’s basketball head coaches were approved today, Illinois athletics director has completed his gamble on betting the coaches he trusts the most.
illiniguys.com/column-josh-...
Heat Checks & Hail Marys - EYBL Memphis - Dylan Mingo
@mikecagley.bsky.social: “Mingo displays many of the traits fans enjoyed from former Illini Ayo Dosunmu. Both are leaders on their teams. Both have wiry strength. Mingo is fast. Mingo is not afraid to compete.”
illiniguys.com/heat-checks-...
@kedprince4.bsky.social on football recruiting resurgence under @BretBielema
“Under Bielema, Illinois is consistently going head-to-head with traditional powers in college football and winning.”
illiniguys.com/prince-illin...
Heat Checks & Hail Marys - EYBL Memphis - Lincoln Williams
@mikecagley.bsky.social: “2026 Top 150 guard Lincoln Williams. Williams is a 6'5" guard who has the ability to wing, off guard and point guard.”
illiniguys.com/heat-checks-...
The Illinois women’s basketball team has added another veteran presence to its backcourt with the commitment of Long Island transfer Gisela Segura, @kedprince4.bsky.social
reports.
illiniguys.com/illinois-wom...
IlliniGuys NCAA Golf Tournament Feature by Matthew Stevens
“Illinois sophomore Max Herendeen knows his golf swing is in good form but his mental game needs a reboot before the Illini head to the NCAA Championships.”
illiniguys.com/stevens-its-...
Bret Bielema Continues to Stay Hot With Commitment From Chicago’s King Liggins
@kedprince4.bsky.social: “Liggins, a three-star defensive lineman from Brother Rice High School became the fifth 2026 in-state recruit to pledge to the Illini.”
illiniguys.com/keds-recruit...
IlliniGuys Feature by Matthew Stevens
Illinois completes a week-long recruitment of junior college defensive back Donovan Turner as a late addition to the 2025 roster.
illiniguys.com/illini-compl...
Ked's Recruiting Roundup: 2026 Morgan Park WR Nasir Rankin Commits To Illini
@kedprince4.bsky.social: “The 6-foot-1, 160-pound four-star recruit from Morgan Park High School is staying home.”
illiniguys.com/keds-recruit...
NCAA Urbana Regional Notebook: Illini Subbing in Freshman Trey Marrion For Second Round - @matthewcstevens
Marrion responds with a one-under 70.
illiniguys.com/ncaa-urbana-...
Football Recruiting Spotlight on Carter Hewitt
Steve Sturm: “No sooner had Alex Bray put his name in the transfer portal than University of Northern Iowa's defensive lineman Carter Hewitt committed to the Illini for his last year of college football.“
illiniguys.com/football-rec...
Illini’s Multi-year Project of Hosting an NCAA Regional at Atkins Golf Club - Matt Stevens
Hosting an NCAA regional event in Central Illinois for the first time became a reality on Monday when the Illini welcomed some of the top teams in the country.
illiniguys.com/it-was-alway...
Less than four years ago, Art Sitkowski came off the bench to help Illinois win in Bret Bielema’s Illini debut. In the spring season of 2025, that ‘be ready’ mentality is still being preached, Matt Stevens writes.
illiniguys.com/how-art-sitk...
Herendeen Confident 2025 NCAA Urbana Regional Plays Into His Big-Tournament Reputation - Matthew Stevens
Illinois sophomore has already built a reputation of playing his best in the big tournaments but the 2025 Urbana Regional is another test for him.
illiniguys.com/herendeen-co...
IlliniGuys staff learned last Friday night that Penn State transfer Puff Johnson, a 6-foot-8, 210-pound wing, with potentially one year of eligibility remaining (subject to NCAA waiver), has some interest in playing for Illinois, @kedprince4.bsky.social reports.
illiniguys.com/could-the-il...
NCAA Urbana Regional Filled With College Golf Star Power - Matthew Stevens
21 players in the 75-player #NCAA Urbana Regional are ranked inside the Top 200 amateur players in the world as Illinois hosts its first NCAA postseason event.
illiniguys.com/ncaa-urbana-...
