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ESPN Names Illinois QB Katin Houser a Breakout Candidate for 2026

ESPN Names Illinois QB Katin Houser a Breakout Candidate for 2026

From a national standpoint, Illinois transfer quarterback Katin Houser hasn’t exactly been put on a pedestal. Most college football media outlets slot Houser in the 8-12 range among Big Ten quarterbacks, which, to be fair, shouldn't be considered outlandish.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / September 3
Illinois Football's 2026 Depth Is Stronger Than Expected at This Position

Illinois Football's 2026 Depth Is Stronger Than Expected at This Position

The football discussion thus far in Champaign has centered around two topics: 1) the massive turnover at key positions throughout Illinois’ roster and 2) the ultra-experienced and super-skilled secondary.

Jaheim Clarke News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / September 3
Illinois Football 2026 Scouting Report: Defensive Back Juice Clarke

Illinois Football 2026 Scouting Report: Defensive Back Juice Clarke

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 senior defensive back Jaheim Clarke.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / September 3
Illinois Football 2026 Scouting Report: Defensive Back Matthew Bailey

Illinois Football 2026 Scouting Report: Defensive Back Matthew Bailey

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 fifth-year defensive back Matthew Bailey.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Volleyball On SI / September 3

Tennessee Volleyball Sets Second Attendance Record of the Season with Sweep Over Illinois

Just four days after Tennessee volleyball set an attendance record inside Food City Center in Knoxville, the crowd made history once again Tuesday night with 8,212 fans packing the arena.  In front of the loudest crowd, the No.

Darrell Prater News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / September 2
Illinois Football 2026 Scouting Report: Defensive Lineman Darrell Prater

Illinois Football 2026 Scouting Report: Defensive Lineman Darrell Prater

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 Illini fifth-year defensive lineman Darrell Prater.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / September 2
5 Illinois Football Players Facing Massive Expectations in 2026

5 Illinois Football Players Facing Massive Expectations in 2026

The expectations for Illinois football entering 2026? Truth is, there aren’t many. And that isn't a pessimistic take. Quite simply, with more newcomers than returners and a new defensive coordinator on staff, there are inevitably more questions than answers heading into Thursday’s opener against UAB (8 p.m.

Maika Matelau News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / September 2
Illinois Football 2026 Scouting Report: Guard Maika Matelau

Illinois Football 2026 Scouting Report: Guard Maika Matelau

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 sophomore offensive lineman Maika Matelau.

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

Illinois Football 2026 Scouting Report: Tackle Christian Martin

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 senior offensive lineman Christian Martin.

Kaden Feagin News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / September 1
Illinois Football 2026 Scouting Report: Tight End Kaden Feagin

Illinois Football 2026 Scouting Report: Tight End Kaden Feagin

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 senior tight end Kaden Feagin.

Christian Abney News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / August 31
Illinois Football 2026 Scouting Report: Tight End Christian Abney

Illinois Football 2026 Scouting Report: Tight End Christian Abney

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 senior tight end Christian Abney.

Hudson Clement News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / August 31
Illinois Football 2026 Scouting Report: Wide Receiver Hudson Clement

Illinois Football 2026 Scouting Report: Wide Receiver Hudson Clement

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 senior wide receiver Hudson Clement.

Brayden Trimble News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / August 31
Illinois Football 2026 Scouting Report: Wide Receiver Brayden Trimble

Illinois Football 2026 Scouting Report: Wide Receiver Brayden Trimble

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 sophomore wide receiver Brayden Trimble.

Brad Underwood News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / August 31
Brad Underwood Provides Insight Into Key Illinois Returners' 2026-27 Outlook

Brad Underwood Provides Insight Into Key Illinois Returners' 2026-27 Outlook

Last Thursday, in an interview with CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein, Illinois coach Brad Underwood was asked a straightforward question: Which returner is going to make the biggest jump in 2026-27?

Collin Dixon News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / August 30
Illinois Football 2026 Scouting Report: Wide Receiver Collin Dixon

Illinois Football 2026 Scouting Report: Wide Receiver Collin Dixon

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 Illini senior wide receiver Collin Dixon.

Aidan Laughery News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / August 30

Illinois Football 2026 Scouting Report: Running Back Aidan Laughery

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 Illini senior running back Aidan Laughery.

Katin Houser News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / August 30
Illinois Football 2026 Scouting Report: Quarterback Katin Houser

Illinois Football 2026 Scouting Report: Quarterback Katin Houser

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 senior quarterback Katin Houser.

Brad Underwood News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / August 29
Brad Underwood Shares His Take on the Chaotic Landscape of College Basketball

Brad Underwood Shares His Take on the Chaotic Landscape of College Basketball

Every college basketball follower – ranging from the most avid, hoops-crazed fan to the viewer who only tunes in come March – has an opinion on the state of the sport.

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
College Basketball News / Busting Brackets / August 27
Illinois has one major problem standing between it and a national championship

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.

Bret Bielema News / Big Ten Network / August 22
Illinois Fighting Illini News / Big Ten Network / August 22
Bret Bielema News / College Sports Only / July 29
Illinois Head Coach Brett Bielema Takes Shot At SEC

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 / Athlon Sports / May 27
Illinois Reacts to Andrej Stojakovic’s Career Decision on Wednesday

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

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

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