Illini Football 2026

#101      
jrichisamazing
Illinigirl said:
Planning to make the trip to both Maryland and UCLA for the games this fall. I've only been to DC once and it was years ago, and never been to LA. Does anyone have suggestions on which airport is best to fly into, which area to stay in, or any other advice as I look for flights and hotels?
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I'm also thinking about making the Maryland trip, but I'll be driving.

I'm sure @altgeld88 will have some tips for us.
 
#105      
GatorMcKlusky
Illinigirl said:
Planning to make the trip to both Maryland and UCLA for the games this fall. I've only been to DC once and it was years ago, and never been to LA. Does anyone have suggestions on which airport is best to fly into, which area to stay in, or any other advice as I look for flights and hotels?
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Baltimore airport
 
#108      
WolfpackIllini
When are the Illini football camps, where we can start getting some info on how we look for the fall?
Are there any clear heirs to Altmeyer, Jacas, etc, or are these all wide open for competition?
 
#109      
SoCal Illini
Feagin at tight end??? Guess I’m late on that news being official. Great move, he’ll be tough to guard and potentially a lot of mismatches. Plus the TE position is really making a comeback in general (has been gradual for a while). Funnily enough I think that will also help the run game with him there.

His hands are pretty good if I remember correctly. 40+ catches will be my prediction, or maybe that’s hope
 
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#110      
WeWillWhen
fuddrules said:
I'd just fly into LAX if your primary purpose is the game. For Hotels, you can't go wrong with the Hyatt Place's in Pasadena or Glendale - assuming again the game if your main event. But hotels are plentiful in the LA area. Lots to do in LA
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Two other tips: (1) rent a car, you need one to conveniently get around LA, and (2) be careful and diligent about booking a hotel in Downtown LA — can go from cool/nice area to very sketchy in just a couple blocks.
 
#111      
JKR
SoCal Illini said:
Feagin at tight end??? Guess I’m late on that news being official. Great move, he’ll be tough to guard and potentially a lot of mismatches. Plus the TE position is really making a comeback in general (has been gradual for a while). Funnily enough I think that will also help the run game with him there.

His hands are pretty good if I remember correctly. 40+ catches will be my prediction, or maybe that’s hope
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We had only one player with more than 40 receptions last season, Beatty. Top TE was Rusk at 19. Don't think we've had a TE catch 40 in the Bielema era. Not sure, but Rusk might be at the top of that list.
 
#112      
blackdog
JKR said:
We had only one player with more than 40 receptions last season, Beatty. Top TE was Rusk at 19. Don't think we've had a TE catch 40 in the Bielema era. Not sure, but Rusk might be at the top of that list.
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40 catches would have put him at tied for 15th in the nation among TEs this past season. Seems like a pipedream for a first year at the position even if he has a lot of potential.
 
#113      
Fly Illini Fly!
52:54 —


They seem to really like FAU transfer wideout Jayshon Platt and JUCO Jackwon Morris.

I know the defensive front situation disappointed a lot of folks… but no reason to think this WR room and secondary won’t be awesome.

This is our top 5 at wideout. They’ll catch a ton of balls:




www.espn.com

Hudson Clement - Illinois Fighting Illini Wide Receiver - ESPN

View the profile of Illinois Fighting Illini Wide Receiver Hudson Clement on ESPN. Get the latest news, live stats and game highlights.
www.espn.com www.espn.com

 
#114      
Fly Illini Fly!
SoCal Illini said:
Feagin at tight end??? Guess I’m late on that news being official. Great move, he’ll be tough to guard and potentially a lot of mismatches. Plus the TE position is really making a comeback in general (has been gradual for a while). Funnily enough I think that will also help the run game with him there.

His hands are pretty good if I remember correctly. 40+ catches will be my prediction, or maybe that’s hope
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40 catches is kinda absurd for an Illinois tight end (not to mention someone just transitioning to the position).

Don't think we've had a 300 yard TE since the 90s.
 
#115      
SoCal Illini
Fly Illini Fly! said:
40 catches is kinda absurd for an Illinois tight end (not to mention someone just transitioning to the position).

Don't think we've had a 300 yard TE since the 90s.
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It’s an optimistic take. I’m banking on potential being fulfilled and a general trend to utilize TEs.

Plus, Antonio gates didn’t even play college football…but was too big for dbs and too fast for linebackers. I think feagin can be similar
 
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