First off, thanks to all who have donated. I know you might have clicked on the donation link in the last post and saw "$0 raised" but... I'm not sure why it isn't updating. We are currently two donors away from reaching our fundraising goal. If that's you, for a ... Read more
Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images How can every Illini player making the leap to the NFL contribute? It was another eventful and successful draft for the Fighting Illini. After having four draft picks, including Devon Witherspoon No. 5 overall in 2022 (and 6 UDFAs), they followed ... Read more
After a couple of nights of sleep to avoid the during-draft hype, it is time for your sports editor to grade the Bear’s most important draft in a long time. After an exciting offseason that already included resigning Pro Bowl corner Jaylon Johnson, adding Pro Bowl wide receiver Keenan Allen, ... Read more
Published on Wednesday, May 1, 2024By By Ben Fader, Sports Editor
Illinois baseball has played well as of late, after a difficult start to the season. The Illini welcomed in nationally ranked #24 Indiana State on Tuesday. ... Read more
I'm in a mood, y'all. I'm going to start typing here with no idea if these words will be for you or me. I do that from time to time - write something out and then never publish it. Sometimes I'll save the words as a Google Doc that I ... Read more
Published on Tuesday, April 30, 2024By IlliniBoard
Illinois' Coleman Hawkins announced on his social media that he will enter the transfer portal, ahead of tomorrow's May 1st deadline.Coleman announced last week ... Read more
Illinois' Niccolo Moretti is entering the transfer portal after two seasons in Champaign.Moretti played in limited minutes this past season ... Read more
Illinois Football Wide Receiver Isaiah Williams signs an undrafted free-agent deal with the Detroit Lions. Much deserved for the former St. Louis Native. ... Read more
Published on Sunday, April 28, 2024By Armchair Illinois
Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images The Illini’s former WR1 is off to the league. Congrats, IW! Despite not getting picked in this year’s NFL Draft, Isaiah Willams inked an undrafted free agent deal Saturday night with the reigning NFC North champion Lions. Signed: ... Read more
Published on Sunday, April 28, 2024By Will.Charlton
TCR // Jack Jungmann The other half of the ‘Law Firm’ has his new home. When one door closes another opens. Despite not hearing his name called during the 2024 NFL Draft, Illinois’ Keith Randolph Jr. has inked a free agent contract with the Chicago Bears. ... Read more
Published on Saturday, April 27, 2024By EthanHolesha
It did not take long for former Illini defensive tackle Keith Randolph to find a team after going undrafted in the 2024 NFL draft. Just hours after the final pick was announced, Randolph signed with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent.Randolph was half of Illinois’ defensive duo ... Read more
Published on Saturday, April 27, 2024By By Conor Blount, Assistant Sports Reporter
Where Illinois Football Players Landed in 2024 NFL Draft Jer’Zhan Newton (Round 2; Pick 36 to the Washington Commanders) Newton is a first-round talent. There is no doubt that he was one of the most dominant players on the defensive side of the ball and that the Washington Commanders are ... Read more
Published on Saturday, April 27, 2024By Armchair Illinois
Isaiah WilliamsIllinois' Isaiah Williams did not get selected in the NFL draft but he didn't have to wait long to find an NFL team. As first reported by ESPN's ... Read more
A five-year career at Illinois concluded on the third day of the 2024 NFL draft, as the Atlanta Falcons selected wide receiver Casey Washington with the 187th overall pick. The Texas native was recruited as a three-star recruit by 247Sports and ESPN and a two-star by Rivals. After choosing Illinois ... Read more
Published on Saturday, April 27, 2024By By Conor Blount, Senior Sports Reporter
Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images A NFL home for the lineman. O Captain! My Captain! Isaiah Adams is now an Arizona Cardinal. On Friday, the Illinois team captain and top offensive lineman was selected with the 71st overall pick in the NFL Draft. ... Read more
Former Illini tight end Tip Reiman was selected as the No. 82 pick in the 2024 NFL draft and is headed to the Arizona Cardinals to continue his football career. He will join his college teammate Isaiah Adams, who was drafted earlier in the third round. The 6-foot-5, 270-pound South ... Read more
Published on Friday, April 26, 2024By By Tess Eken, Assistant Sports Editor
Former Illini offensive lineman Isaiah Adams was drafted in the third round of the 2024 NFL draft by the Arizona Cardinals. Adams spent his junior and senior year at Illinois, starting in every game of his college career. In 2022, he led the team in knockdowns and got double-digit knockdowns ... Read more
Published on Friday, April 26, 2024By By Tess Eken, Assistant Sports Editor
Photo by David Berding/Getty Images The former star defensive lineman is the first Illini taken this year. Hereeee’s Johnny. Former Illini standout Johnny Newton has been selected by the Commanders in the second round of this year’s NFL Draft. From the University of Illinois, @Johnny5Newton!#Illini // #HTTO ... Read more
Published on Friday, April 26, 2024By Will.Charlton
Illinois Football Defensive End Drafted By Illinois Football’s star defensive end, Jer’Zhan Newton, has been drafted by the Washington Commanders. Newton was the 36th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Many had tabbed Newton as a first round talent, however, there seemed to be an emphasis on offensive selections. ... Read more
Published on Friday, April 26, 2024By Armchair Illinois
Round two of the 2024 NFL draft was held Friday night, and Detroit, Michigan, is where former Illinois defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton’s dreams came true. The Commanders selected him with the No. 36 pick, sending him to Washington.Newton had an illustrious career at Illinois, fueling their ... Read more
Published on Friday, April 26, 2024By By Ben Fader, Sports Editor
Longtime Illini wide receiver Isaiah Williams was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Detroit Lions. Williams is the second Illini to sign as an undrafted free agent after four Illini were taken in the 2024 NFL Draft. Originally recruited as a dual athlete after playing quarterback in high ... Read more
Published on Friday, April 26, 2024By By Conor Blount, Senior Sports Reporter
Former Illinois All-American defensive tackle not chosen in the first round of the NFL draft on Thursday night. Second round resumes Friday night from Detroit ... Read more
Published on Thursday, April 25, 2024By The News-Gazette
After nearly 10 years without EA Sports College Football the video game, the much-loved game will be making a console return, this upcoming summer. ... Read more
Illinois guard Luke Goode announced on Monday that he would be entering the transfer portal, searching for a new home for the upcoming college basketball season ... Read more
TCR // Craig Pessman A look into each position group on the offensive side of the field. On an offense that replaces seven starters, there were several questions surrounding how well Illinois could get the ball downfield this fall. With 41 points combined by the offensive units, questions ... Read more
TCR // Craig Pessman The Illini defense put their pads back on this Saturday. Two years ago Illinois had the best defense in college football. The same couldn't be said for last year’s defensive unit. Now in his second season as defensive coordinator, Aaron Henry would love to recapture ... Read more
The spring season wrapped up on Saturday afternoon in an unusual scene at Memorial Stadium. An empty sea of metal bleachers wrapped around half the stadium, with specks of fans in the North and West seating. A windy 50-degree day greeted a unique opening kickoff without tacklers. Sophomore kicker David ... Read more
Published on Saturday, April 20, 2024By By Ben Fader, Sports Editor
With input from readers about the topics, here are some questions that are top of mind for beat writer Bob Asmussen going into Saturday’s Illinois football spring game scrimmage at ... Read more
Published on Friday, April 19, 2024By The News-Gazette
Congrats, Elyce Knudsen. ... Will Ayo Dosunmu play for the Bulls tonight? ... Voting continues until noon on Thursday for The News-Gazette's high school Athletes of the Week. ... Illinois ... Read more
Published on Wednesday, April 17, 2024By The News-Gazette
Gordyville USA is the place to be Tuesday night. ... Remembering Ken Holtzman. ... Marquee high school softball game between LeRoy and Westville on tap. ... Catching up with Tuscola ... Read more
Published on Tuesday, April 16, 2024By The News-Gazette
I've probably referenced "in the intro to the 2023 football preview..." at least 15 times since August. The section I called Mind The Gap. I just did it again while writing an answer to a mailbag question. I then realized that many of you don't know what I'm referencing. The ... Read more
Illinois guard Sencire Harris announced on Monday that he would be entering his name in the transfer portal, and take his talents elsewhere ... Read more
Former Purdue forward proud of historic season program had to reach Final Four in Phoenix, where Boilermakers lost to Connecticut in national championship game ... Read more
Published on Thursday, April 11, 2024By The News-Gazette
Onions! Raftery to visit Gordyville for Coaches vs. Cancer event. ... The Illini 100 is coming to Farmer City Raceway this week. ... Mahomet-Seymour wrestling coach Rob Ledin up for ... Read more
Published on Wednesday, April 10, 2024By The News-Gazette
Illinois beat writer Scott Richey is in his ninth season as an AP Top 25 voter. Here's how his final ballot of the 2023-24 season — for the AP's first ... Read more
Published on Monday, April 8, 2024By The News-Gazette
First off, a weekend of nothing was glorious. As I've said before, it's not so much about travel or sleep or frequency of games for me. It's all about my writing brain being in the "on" position. When that little green light is on, I'm constantly playing with thoughts in ... Read more
Illinois Football: One Player Bret Bielema Continues to Praise Illinois Football is kicking off its spring ball season. As the offseason progresses and the regular season draws near, there seems to be a little bit of caution heading into Bret Bielema’s fourth season. Last year, there seemed to be a ... Read more
Published on Sunday, April 7, 2024By Armchair Illinois
Underwood, Green to make joint appearance at the Esquire on Monday night in downtown Champaign. ... The News-Gazette's 20th All-Area wrestling teams are in today's paper, with more All-Area packges ... Read more
Published on Saturday, April 6, 2024By The News-Gazette
After winning the WBIT Championship on Wednesday, Illinois senior Kendall Bostic announced that she will be returning for her final year of eligibility. ... Read more