Illinois Fighting Illini: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Ca'Lil Valentine News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / August 29

Illinois Football 2026 Scouting Report: Running Back Ca'Lil Valentine

Illinois on SI is delivering scouting reports for each of the key players on the Illini football team's 2026 roster. Below, we present our breakdown of junior running back Ca'Lil Valentine.

NFL News / Yardbarker / August 28

Commanders fans could soon turn on HC Dan Quinn

Commanders fans may turn on HC Dan Quinn after alarming preseason loss to Ravens

Dan Quinn can call Washington’s 41-3 loss to Baltimore meaningless because it happened in the preseason. Commanders fans may soon arrive with pitchforks if the regular season confirms what Friday’s 38-point humiliation appeared to reveal.

Commanders should be concerned after pathetic showing at joint practice

Dan Quinn calls out Commanders after unacceptable preseason showing

Jayden Daniels’ lone drive exposes Commanders’ greatest concern

NFL roster cuts expose flaws in league's approach to player safety

The '200-passing yards in first 20 NFL games' quiz

Brad Underwood News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / August 27

Brad Underwood Names Illinois Freshman Summer Standouts – Including a 'Big Surprise'

Over the past few years, Illinois coach Brad Underwood and his staff have turned to the international waters and the transfer portal to build their rosters.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / August 27

Illinois Football Countdown: 7 Thoughts Before the 2026 Season Opener

Just seven sleeps stand between us and Illinois’ 2026 season opener, which comes in Champaign against UAB (8 p.m. CT, BTN). Starting today (Thursday), we’ll share a few key thoughts, questions and/or predictions about the Illini each day leading up to kickoff.

College Basketball News / Busting Brackets / August 27

Illinois has one major problem standing between it and a national championship

Illinois should not lack offense during the 2026-27 college basketball season. The Fighting Illini finished last season ranked second nationally in offensive efficiency and return enough experienced talent to produce at a similar level.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / August 26

How Illinois' New Defense Has Helped Boost a Big Weakness From the 2025 Offense

A year ago, Illinois’ offensive line – billed as a strength of the offense – proved to be a debilitating weakness. The Illini returned all five starters from 2024, yet they wound up yielding 32 sacks and pushed the ground game to just 3.9 yards per carry.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / August 25

Illinois Four-Star Commit Quinton Kitt to Make Official Visit to Champaign

Last Thanksgiving, East Peoria forward Quinton Kitt, who had just entered his junior season, announced his commitment to Illinois . Although Kitt had been to the school's Champaign campus – he took an unofficial visit in August 2025 – he pledged to the Illini despite never taking an official visit.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / August 24

Illinois' Zavier Zens Showcases College Readiness in Newcomer Highlights

The final edition of Illinois’ summer classic, the “Newcomer First Look," was released on Thursday, starring freshman wing Zavier Zens. As always, the usual disclaimer applies: These are highlights – all of which have come months before the Illini season opener.

Bret Bielema News / Big Ten Network / August 22

Watch: Bret Bielema's wholesale defensive overhaul at Illinois | Illinois Football

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Big Ten Network / August 22

Watch: Caden Fagan’s move to tight end | Illinois Football

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / August 21

Ranking Every Game on Illinois Basketball's 2026-27 Non-Conference Schedule

On Friday, Illinois released its full 2026-27 non-conference slate, which wound up filling out the maximum number of allotted contests (12). The Illini took full advantage of the NCAA allowing an extra game for each school next season: including Big Ten play, the Illini will have 32 regular-season outings.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / August 20

Illinois Basketball Offers Nation's No. 1 2028 Power Forward Bentley Lusakueno

At this point, we know the drill when it comes to Illinois basketball's recruiting : coach Brad Underwood and his staff prize positional size and shooting.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / August 19

Illinois' Ca'Lil Valentine Makes Doak Walker Watch List – Is 1,000 Yards Within Reach?

On Tuesday, the Doak Walker Award preseason watch list was released, and Illinois junior running back Ca’Lil Valentine was among the names included. As we've already established at Illinois on SI, we aren’t the biggest backers of preseason lists, but they do offer a general idea of a player's potential.

Samari Collier News / HBCUs on SI / August 9

Samari Collier Commits to DeSean Jackson and Delaware State After NCAA Eligibility TRO

Earlier this spring, DeSean Jackson said Delaware State's roster was about 80 percent set. Now, he may have found the last piece in Samari Collier, who joins the team with a temporary restraining order.

Bret Bielema News / College Sports Only / July 29

Illinois Head Coach Brett Bielema Takes Shot At SEC

The beef between the Big Ten & SEC keeps getting juicier. Illinois head coach Bret Bielema criticized the SEC at Big Ten Media Days, claiming the conference

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Total Pro Sports / June 5

What Is Keaton Wagler’s GPA? A Look at the Illinois Guard’s Academic Record

They do not talk about college basketball enough in the pro league circle, which should not be the case for Keaton Wagler. Moving closer to the 2026 NBA

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Softball On SI / June 2

Illinois Softball All-American Named Head Coach of Program

A former Fighting Illini All-American is back in a new role with the program. University of Illinois Director of Athletics Josh Whitman announced the hiring of Jenna Hall as the third head coach in program history on Tuesday.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Athlon Sports / May 27

Illinois Reacts to Andrej Stojakovic’s Career Decision on Wednesday

The Illinois Fighting Illini entered Wednesday anxiously waiting for one of the biggest roster decisions of the college basketball offseason. After testing the NBA Draft process and participating in the NBA Combine earlier this month, Andrej Stojakovic officially made his long-awaited decision just before the withdrawal deadline.

Brad Underwood could stick with Illinois through 2036 because of new extension

The Illinois Fighting Illini like head basketball coach Brad Underwood, and they have plenty of reason to.

Illinois' Brad Underwood gets contract extension through 2032

UConn's Dan Hurley puts a price on being a college basketball contender in NIL era

NCAA Tournament expansion a sacrifice mid-majors forced to make in rev-share era

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Softball On SI / May 7

4 Candidates Illinois Softball Should Consider for Head Coach

The Illinois Fighting Illini parted ways with softball head coach Tyra Perry on Monday. Now, a national search for a new leader by Chief Sports Officer

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Softball On SI / May 4

Illinois Softball Parts Ways with Head Coach Tyra Perry

The University of Illinois announced on Monday that it was parting ways with the softball program's head coach, Tyra Perry. Perry spent 11 years at the helm of the Fighting Illini and signed a contract in 2023 that extended her through the 2027 season.

College Football News / Yardbarker / April 13

Michigan trending after 4-star QB Kamden Lopati decommits from Illinois

Kamden Lopati had been committed to the Illinois Fighting Illini since July of 2025. Now, almost a year later, that's a commitment that doesn't hold.

Five QBs set to generate the most buzz for 2027 NFL Draft

Dusty May, Michigan reach agreement on new contract

Why Fernando Mendoza may, may not be NFL's next Joe Burrow

The 'College nicknames that don't end in s' quiz

Illinois Fighting Illini News / NBA Draft on SI / April 4

How Each NBA Draft Prospect Performed in UConn's Final Four Win Over Illinois

The first game of Saturday's Final Four brought plenty of excitement, as UConn took down Illinois to move to its third National Championship match in four years.