en-us SportSpyder - The Latest Illinois Fighting Illini Football News https://sportspyder.com/cf/illinois-fighting-illini-football/news Illinois is scheduled to have 14 uncommitted prospects on an official visit during the first three weekends in the month of June. By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst May 12, 2026 CHAMPAIGN — Bret Bielema believes his program’s patience in how they’ve approached the recruiting calendar and salary market for the 2027 recruiting class will benefit them next month. The verbal pledge of three-star interior offensive lineman Mason Halliman to Illinois last weekend marked just the second commitment to the Illini’s 2027 recruiting class but that lack of numbers is not a shock or necessarily a problem to the program’s sixth-year head coach. Bielema told local reporters weeks ago that his staff’s plan was to wait until after the end of the May evaluation period before figuring out “the market for high school players” for this summer recruiting cycle. “I know you guys keep a look at this but the market for high school players, the amount of money they’re getting, is unprecedented,” Bielema said in a Zoom session with local media on May 1. “You really have to know what your roster is and what the value of those guys are. I’m not quite ready to have those numbers until after we get done with this May evaluation period.” Wed, 13 May 2026 02:23:38 GMT larryilliniguys-com https://sportspyder.com/cf/illinois-fighting-illini-football/articles/56601386 https://sportspyder.com/cf/illinois-fighting-illini-football/articles/56601386 false false The Indiana native has received a wave of Power Four offers this spring Tue, 12 May 2026 19:39:20 GMT Jeremy Werner https://sportspyder.com/cf/illinois-fighting-illini-football/articles/56597415 https://sportspyder.com/cf/illinois-fighting-illini-football/articles/56597415 true false St. Joseph-Ogden offensive lineman picks Oregon on 'The Pat McAfee Show,' and in front of a packed auditorium at his high school on Monday Tue, 12 May 2026 15:58:01 GMT MATT DANIELS mdaniels@news-gazette.com https://sportspyder.com/cf/illinois-fighting-illini-football/articles/56594520 https://sportspyder.com/cf/illinois-fighting-illini-football/articles/56594520 false false Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats about the latest in Illinois football recruiting, including three-star OL Mason Halliman's commitment. Then Yogi Roth, ... Tue, 12 May 2026 15:53:59 GMT Illini Inquirer: Illinois on 247Sports https://sportspyder.com/cf/illinois-fighting-illini-football/articles/56594470 https://sportspyder.com/cf/illinois-fighting-illini-football/articles/56594470 false false Watch the latest Illini Inquirer Podcast: https://youtu.be/vdwfWEzoyfg?si=rRtA5BKAqipVm_u2 Tue, 12 May 2026 15:53:46 GMT Illini Inquirer: Illinois on 247Sports https://sportspyder.com/cf/illinois-fighting-illini-football/articles/56594468 https://sportspyder.com/cf/illinois-fighting-illini-football/articles/56594468 false false Yogi Roth, analyst for NBC Sports and Big Ten Network, joins Werner to give his thoughts on the growth of Illinois football entering the 2026 season Tue, 12 May 2026 15:49:46 GMT Jeremy Werner https://sportspyder.com/cf/illinois-fighting-illini-football/articles/56594419 https://sportspyder.com/cf/illinois-fighting-illini-football/articles/56594419 false false Watch the latest Illini Inquirer Podcast: https://youtu.be/_Q0z7QhgHtw Tue, 12 May 2026 12:35:07 GMT Illini Inquirer: Illinois on 247Sports https://sportspyder.com/cf/illinois-fighting-illini-football/articles/56592397 https://sportspyder.com/cf/illinois-fighting-illini-football/articles/56592397 false false TV and donor dollars has been game-changer Tue, 12 May 2026 12:25:53 GMT LOREN TATE ltate@news-gazette.com https://sportspyder.com/cf/illinois-fighting-illini-football/articles/56592304 https://sportspyder.com/cf/illinois-fighting-illini-football/articles/56592304 false false Illini Inquirer publisher Jeremy Werner analyzes the latest in Illini football recruiting. Tue, 12 May 2026 11:23:34 GMT Jeremy Werner https://sportspyder.com/cf/illinois-fighting-illini-football/articles/56591833 https://sportspyder.com/cf/illinois-fighting-illini-football/articles/56591833 true false Watch the latest Illini Inquirer Podcast: https://youtu.be/_Q0z7QhgHtw Tue, 12 May 2026 00:17:20 GMT Illini Inquirer: Illinois on 247Sports https://sportspyder.com/cf/illinois-fighting-illini-football/articles/56588854 https://sportspyder.com/cf/illinois-fighting-illini-football/articles/56588854 false false Perrysburg (Ohio) High three-star offensive lineman Reed Gerken is closing in on a college commitment. The 6-5, 290-pounder has narrowed down his list of over 30 scholarship offers and is eyeing a decision date. Mon, 11 May 2026 19:02:17 GMT Tom Loy https://sportspyder.com/cf/illinois-fighting-illini-football/articles/56585652 https://sportspyder.com/cf/illinois-fighting-illini-football/articles/56585652 true false Watch the latest Illini Inquirer Podcast: https://youtu.be/_Q0z7QhgHtw Mon, 11 May 2026 18:57:38 GMT Illini Inquirer: Illinois on 247Sports https://sportspyder.com/cf/illinois-fighting-illini-football/articles/56585607 https://sportspyder.com/cf/illinois-fighting-illini-football/articles/56585607 false false The St. Joseph-Ogden junior offensive lineman picked the Ducks ahead of Illinois, Notre Dame and Wisconsin — and explains why to The News-Gazette: 'I know I've made the right decision' Mon, 11 May 2026 18:56:47 GMT CAMERON WAGNER https://sportspyder.com/cf/illinois-fighting-illini-football/articles/56585598 https://sportspyder.com/cf/illinois-fighting-illini-football/articles/56585598 false false IlIllini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner break down Illinois football's offseason of change. Mon, 11 May 2026 17:31:17 GMT Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner https://sportspyder.com/cf/illinois-fighting-illini-football/articles/56584583 https://sportspyder.com/cf/illinois-fighting-illini-football/articles/56584583 true false