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.

Nov 14, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood greets the crowd before the tip of the game with the Colgate Raiders at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Basketball

The Illini are seeking their first Big Ten title since 2022, but these three games may stand in their way

Nov 1, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema before an NCAA game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Football

The Illini head man doubled down on his recent targeting of the SEC, but what exactly was the implication?

Dec 13, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Andrej Stojakovic (2) drives the ball around Nebraska Cornhuskers forward Pryce Sandfort (21) during the first half at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Basketball

The Big Ten has a deep position group at small forward, with a combination of elite freshmen and proven returners

Football

The Illini have a relatively favorable schedule in 2026, but there are a few landmines that can make or break their season

July 19, 2025; North Augusta, South Carolina, USA; Brad Beal Elite Quentin Coleman (1) gestures to a teammate as Team Durant Evans Barning Jr. (7) defends during the Brad Beal Elite and Team Durant game at the Nike EYBL Peach Jam at Riverview Park Activity Center. Brad Beal Elite won 91-59. Mandatory Credit: Katie Goodale - Augusta Chronicle/USA TODAY NETWORK

Basketball

Illinois freshman Quentin Coleman is expected to be a valuable contributor from Day 1 – but is he already in the top tier of Big Ten shooting guards?

Football

Illinois' Bielema countered former Alabama coach Nick Saban's depth argument in the ongoing SEC vs. Big Ten clash

Mar 23, 2025; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts during the second half in the second round of the NCAA Tournament against the Kentucky Wildcats at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

Basketball

The Illini appear to be firmly in the mix for 2028 prospect Dylan Betts, a 7-foot-3 big man with incredible upside

Nov 11, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood walks to the court before the game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Basketball

The Illini appear to be in the thick of the race for Bowman, a high-scoring guard from California

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

The Illini threw their hat in the ring for top-ranked 2028 recruit Williams, an ultra-dynamic player on both ends of the floor

Mar 28, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Kylan Boswell (4) and guard Keaton Wagler (23) react in the second half against the Iowa Hawkeyes during an Elite Eight game of the South Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

Basketball

Some former Illinois players excelled in the 2026 NBA Summer League, others played their role to perfection and one struggled

Jan 17, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood before the first half against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Basketball

The Illini are setting up a visit with a four-star forward in the 2027 class, while a key 2028 in-state target was named the first EYBL 16U MVP ever

Aug 29, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema before a game with the Western Illinois Leathernecks at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Football

The Football Power Index from ESPN projects a step back for the Illini in 2026, but we have our own opinions

Jackson Langendorf

Joined: Oct 21, 2024

Reacting to Quentin Coleman's Incredible Illinois Summer Highlights

Illinois Basketball's Three Most Dangerous Big Ten Trap Games in 2026-27

Big Ten Power Forward 2026-27 Power Rankings: Does David Mirkovic Stand Alone?

Ranking the Big Ten's 10 Best Head Coaches: Where Does Bret Bielema Land?

Basketball

3 Big Ten Matchups That Could Decide Illinois Basketball's 2026-27 Title Chase

Football

Illinois' Bret Bielema Takes Another Shot at SEC: 'They Want to Live in 2005 Forever'

Basketball

Big Ten Small Forward Power Rankings: Andrej Stojakovic or Pryce Sandfort at No. 1?

Football

Illinois Football's Three Toughest Games in 2026 Will Define the Season

Basketball

Big Ten Shooting Guard 2026-27 Power Rankings: Is Quentin Coleman in the Mix?

Football

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

Basketball

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

Basketball

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

Illinois Basketball Offers Class of 2028 No. 1 Prospect AJ Williams

Former Illini NBA Summer League Grades: Keaton Wagler, Others Earn Final Marks

Illinois Recruiting: 2027 Target to Schedule Visit, 2028 Prospect Makes EYBL History

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