Illinois Fighting Illini: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Bret Bielema Reveals Illinois Football's Under-the-Radar Position Battle

With the personnel turnover Illinois football underwent this offseason (56 newcomers), there are ongoing position battles up and down the roster. Still, at least one position seems entirely settled: quarterback.

Features

The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

Bret Bielema Explains Why Two Illinois Football Players Switched Positions

It has been quite some time since the college football offseason provided much time off. Characterized by roster additions and departures, along with coaching changes, the schedule during spring and summer months may be different than that of in-season – but it's often just as busy.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / August 4

Where Illinois Football and Its 2026 Opponents Rank in Preseason Coaches Poll

Last season, Illinois debuted at No. 12 in the Coaches Poll. There was cicada-invasion level buzz around the Illini football program entering 2025. But the 9-4 season that followed was fairly underwhelming. Heading into 2026, with 56 newcomers on Illinois’ 110-man roster, a step backwards feels almost inevitable.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / August 1

Reacting to Quentin Coleman's Incredible Illinois Summer Highlights

Keeping with tradition, Illinois has begun releasing a “Newcomer First Look” for each of its new faces for the 2026-27 squad. And on Thursday, it was five-star freshman Quentin Coleman who had his highlights displayed to Illini Nation.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / SwimSwam / July 31

Illinois Swim & Dive Announces 2026-27 Schedule

By SwimSwam on SwimSwam Courtesy: Illinois Athletics CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois swim and dive head coach Jeana Kempe announced the program’s full 2026-27 schedule on Friday morning.

College Football News / The Spun / July 29

Paul Finebaum Responds To Bret Bielema Accusing SEC Of Living In Past

Bret Bielema caused quite the stir with yesterday's comments at Big Ten Media Days where the Fighting Illini coach accused the Big Ten's rival conference of living in the past.

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

Bret Bielema News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / July 29

What Bret Bielema Expects Out of His New Illinois Defense

For almost the entirety of Illinois football's 2025 season, no one seemed willing to address the elephant in the room:The Illini couldn't get stops. Which

Bret Bielema News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / July 28

Bret Bielema Reveals Projected Illinois Offensive Line at Media Days: Why It Matters

Tuesday in Chicago marked the start of Big Ten Football Media Days for the 2026 season, an annual exercise that tends to be more ceremonial than revelatory.

Bret Bielema News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / July 27

Bret Bielema Takes Jab at Nick Saban in Next Chapter of Big Ten-SEC Debate

On Saturdays in the fall, conference matchups are supercharged with bitterness. The level of emotion one feels toward the squad lined up on the other side can teeter on the edge of pure hatred.

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

Illinois Basketball to Host Five-Star 2028 Recruit Dylan Betts for Unofficial Visit

Recruiting has always been one of Brad Underwood’s strengths. Ever since he came to Illinois, he has been able to build stacked recruiting classes – be it from the high school ranks or, more recently, the transfer portal.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / SwimSwam / July 25

Junior Nationals Qualifier Sloane Rocha Verbals To Illinois For 2027-28 Season

By Sean Griffin on SwimSwam Fitter and Faster Swim Camps is the proud sponsor of SwimSwam’s College Recruiting Channel and all commitment news. For many, swimming in college is a lifelong dream that is pursued with dedication and determination.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / July 23

Illinois Sets Visit With Five-Star 2027 Guard NaVorro Bowman Jr.

Brad Underwood and his staff continue to stay busy on the recruiting trail. Over the past few days, Illinois has extended an offer to the No. 1 prospect in the class of 2028 – wing AJ Williams – and is reportedly in the process of cementing a date for a visit from 2027 four-star Isaiah Santos , per Dushawn London of 247Sports.

College Football News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / July 20

ESPN's FPI Predicts Every Illinois Football Game in 2026: Agree or Disagree?

ESPN’s metrics-based Football Power Index was recently unveiled for the 2026 campaign. The model, with its usual percentage-based predictions, offered a game-by-game projection of the Illini’s upcoming campaign.

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.