Jackson Langendorf

Joined: Oct 21, 2024

Primarily covers Illinois football and basketball, and Kansas basketball, with an emphasis on analysis, features and recruiting. Langendorf, a third-generation University of Illinois alum, has been watching Illini basketball and football for as long as he can remember. An advertising student and journalism devotee, he has been writing for On SI since October 2024. He can be followed and reached on X @jglangendorf.

Apr 4, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts against the Connecticut Huskies in the second half during a semifinal of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

Basketball

Breaking down AJ Williams' fit with Illinois if he were to land in Champaign in 2027-28

Feb 15, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts during the second half against the Indiana Hoosiers at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Basketball

The Illini are currently seen as college basketball's top team, but we're here to tell you why they should be

Sep 12, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Katin Houser (4) walks off the field during the second half against the Duke Blue Devils at Gies Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Football

The Illini have clearly taken a step in the wrong direction in 2026, but does ESPN's FPI believe it can turn things around?

Sep 12, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema walks off the field after a 31-27 loss to the Duke Blue Devils at Gies Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Football

Bielema shouldered the blame for many of Illinois' Week 2 disappointments, offered injury updates and gave his take on Katin Houser's afternoon

Sep 12, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema during the first half at against the Duke Blue Devils at Gies Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Football

The Illini offense may not be as potent as expected, and the primary defensive woe is as bad as we thought (if not worse)

Aug 22, 2026; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots linebacker Gabe Jacas (50) in the first half against the Philadelphia Eagles at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Edward Finan-Imagn Images

Football

Big NFL performances from alums such as Jacas can help the Illini keep building – but they alone won't create a powerhouse

Mar 25, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood speaks during a practice session press conference ahead of the south regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

Basketball

The Illini made a relatively unexpected move in signing McCoy, but Underwood gave some simple reasons why they pulled the trigger

Basketball

Bowman, a priority target for the Illini who was set to visit Champaign this weekend, is off the board – but Illinois still has future guard options

Football

SP+ is yet another metric that isn't exactly loving the Illini – but does it like them to get by the Blue Devils in Week 2?

Nov 1, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema on the sidelines during the second half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Football

Bielema shrugged off the Illini's Week 1 tackling problem, saying it will be corrected with more in-game action

Oct 11, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema during warmups prior to a game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Football

One key will determine whether the Illini dominate the Blue Devils on Saturday – and it's more than just stopping Blue Devils running back Nate Sheppard

Nov 28, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Basketball

Brad Underwood commented on David Mirkovic's recovery, a recent hurdle for Tomislav Ivisic and an injury for Zvonimir Ivisic

Jackson Langendorf

Joined: Oct 21, 2024

Is Illinois' Freshman Class Poised to Be the Best of the Brad Underwood Era?

5-Star Illinois Target Darius Wabbington Moves Up Visit to Champaign

3 Pressing Questions Illinois Football Must Answer vs. Southern Illinois

Illinois Fans Shouldn't Let One Loss Make Them Forget What Bret Bielema Has Built

Basketball

Illinois Basketball Makes List of Top-5 2027 Recruit AJ Williams

Basketball

3 Reasons Illinois Basketball Should Be the National Title Favorite in 2026-27

Football

What ESPN's FPI Projects for Illinois Football After Duke Loss

Football

Bret Bielema's Most Important Quotes After Illinois Football's Loss to Duke

Football

3 Glaring Problems Facing Illinois Football After a 31-27 Loss to Duke

Football

Gabe Jacas' Brilliant NFL Debut Shows the Promise and Imperfection at Illinois

Basketball

Brad Underwood Explains Why Illinois Added Transfer Quentin McCoy

Basketball

Illinois Misses on UConn-Bound Five-Star NaVorro Bowman Jr.: What Now?

ESPN's SP+ Metric Predicts Final Score of Illinois vs. Duke in Week 2

Bret Bielema Is Unfazed by Illinois' Tackling Woes Entering Duke – But Should He Be?

Illinois Football Will Roll Past Duke in Week 2 If ...

Injury Update on Illinois' David Mirkovic – Plus the Latest on Ivisic Twins