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Jared Shlensky

Jared Shlensky

Joined: Mar 12, 2025

Jared Shlensky is a contributing writer for On SI and a freelance play-by-play broadcaster. Jared was previously a sports betting writer for Yardbarker, an On-Air YouTube Personality for the Sports Geek and a minor league play-by-play broadcaster.

Dec 31, 2024; Orlando, FL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) gets ready to throw the ball against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the first quarter at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Reper-Imagn Images
Football

Illinois Coach Bret Bielema Raves About Quarterback Luke Altmyer's Clutch Gene

Bielema recently referred to Altmyer as "the most effective end-of-game quarterback" he has ever coached

Jared Shlensky
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Nov 30, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema looks on against Northwestern Wildcats during the second half at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
Football

Four-Star Tight End JC Anderson Chooses Ole Miss Over Illinois

Anderson, from Mt. Zion (Illinois), committed to Ole Miss on Tuesday – the latest Illini football recruiting disappointment

Jared Shlensky
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Sep 28, 2024; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema stands on the field during a warmup prior to a game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images
Football

Four-Star Athlete Jacob Eberhart Includes Illinois Among Top Five Finalists

Eberhart, from Kirkwood (Missouri), will make his college decision July 12 at an announcement party in St. Louis

Jared Shlensky
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Sep 23, 2023; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema during the second half against the Florida Atlantic Owls at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images
Football

Illinois Coach Bret Bielema Sought Joint Practices With Bill Belichick's Tar Heels

Bielema confirmed on Friday that he had hoped to work in tandem with Bill Belichick and his North Carolina squad this past spring

Jared Shlensky
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Dec 29, 2023; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Josh Whitman, Director of Athletics at the University of Illinois, addresses the media over the suspension of player Terrence Shannon Jr. after a rape charge on Dec.5. The address to the media came before a game with Fairleigh Dickinson at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images
Football

Illinois Scales Back Future Football Series With Missouri

Illinois Athletic Director Josh Whitman announced Thursday that the Illinois-Missouri football series has been trimmed from eight games to six

Jared Shlensky
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Feb 8, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Will Riley (7) and guard Kasparas Jakucionis (32) celebrate during the second half against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Williams Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
Basketball

Illini Basketball Duo Are First Back-to-Backs of NBA Draft Since Duke Tandem

Illinois' Kasparas Jakucionis and Will Riley were the first to turn the trick since Duke's Mark Williams and A.J. Griffin in 2022

Jared Shlensky
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Nov 2, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema gets a hand from the crowd before the start of a game with the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images
Football

Illinois Football Offers Three-Star Running Back Xavier Bala

The Illini extended a scholarship offer to Bala, from St. Anthony's (New York), on Monday

Jared Shlensky
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Sep 14, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema on the sidelines during the second half against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images
Football

Four-Star Tight End JC Anderson Narrows List to Auburn, Ole Miss and Illinois

Anderson, from Mt. Zion (Illinois), pared down his list of potential destinations Monday, and the Illini made the cut

Jared Shlensky
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Sep 28, 2024; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema on the sideline during a timeout in the second quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images
Football

Illinois Football Offers State Champion Receiver From East St. Louis

East St. Louis wide receiver Laron Baker Jr. received an offer from the Illini on Sunday

Jared Shlensky
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Oct 26, 2024; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema watches players warm up before a game against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
Football

Illinois Football Offers Four-Star Defensive Back From Chicago Prep Powerhouse

The Illini offered four-star defensive back Tavares Harrington from Mount Carmel (Chicago) on Saturday

Jared Shlensky
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Jul 23, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema speaks to the media during the Big 10 football media day at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images
Football

Illinois Football Offers Hulking Class of 2027 Blocker From Minnesota

Illinois on Friday offered offensive lineman Dajohn Yarborough, from Benilde-St. Margaret's (St. Louis Park, Minnesota)

Jared Shlensky
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Nov 11, 2023; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema reacts to a call during the second half against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images
Football

Illinois Lands Fourth Four-Star 2026 Recruit in Cornerback Nick Hankins Jr.

The Illini on Thursday received a commitment from highly regarded Belleville (Illinois) West defensive back Hankins

Jared Shlensky
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