Jason Langendorf

Jason Langendorf

Joined: Sep 28, 2024

Jason Langendorf has covered Illinois basketball, football and more for Illinois on SI since October 2024, and has covered Illini sports – among other subjects – for 30 years. A veteran of ESPN and Sporting News, he has published work in The Guardian, Vice, Chicago Sun-Times and many other outlets. He is currently also the U.S. editor at BoxingScene and a judge for the annual BWAA writing awards. He can be followed and reached on X and Bluesky @JasonLangendorf.

Illinois guard Quentin Coleman (11) drives to the rim against a Baylor defender in an October exhibition game at State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois.

Illinois guard Stefan Vaaks (7) gets fired up after making a play in the Illini's 95-91 loss to Baylor on Friday, Oct. 23, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois.

Oct 24, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini linebacker Ismael Kante (26) celebrates the 21-10 win over the Oregon Ducks at Gies Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Illinois forward Jake Davis (15) runs back on defense after sinking a shot in the Illini's 105-96 exhibition win at Cincinnati on Oct. 17.

Oct 4, 2026; Honolulu, Hawaii, USA; (Editors Notes: Caption Correction) Los Angeles Clippers guard Keaton Wagler (1) dribbles during the first half against the Golden State Warriors at Bankoh Arena at the Stan Sheriff Center. Mandatory Credit: Michelle Bir-Imagn Images

Basketball

Illini Nation knows better than to doubt Wagler, but he's already showing that even the highest expectations of him at the next level are too low

Oct 3, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini defensive lineman Demetrius John (54) tries to get a hand on Purdue Boilermakers running back Fame Ijeboi (2) during the first half at Gies Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Football

Five games into the 2026 season, the Illini look like a listless, lost group with little hope of finding their way

CHAMPAIGN, ILL. - August 08, 2026 - Defensive Coordinator Bobby Hauck during Fall Camp practice at Gies Memorial Stadium. (Photo by Aaron Quinn/Illinois Athletics)

Football

Hauck and the Illini have parted ways a day after the team's 42-19 loss to Ohio State in Columbus

Sep 26, 2026; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini wide receiver Ty Robinson (10) makes a catch during the second half against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images

Football

The Illini fell by three scores and dropped to 2-2 on Saturday, yet we found more promise than pessimism in defeat

Oct 11, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini wide receiver Hudson Clement (13) drops a pass under pressure from Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. (7) and safety Jaylen McClain (18) during the second quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Football

The Illini (2-1) have their work cut out for them Saturday against the Buckeyes (2-1) at Ohio Stadium in Columbus

Sep 19, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Katin Houser (4) looks to pass during the first half against the Southern Illinois Salukis at Gies Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Football

The odds are set against the Illini, but fans will take heart in the fact that an upset of the Buckeyes in Columbus has already been proven possible

Sep 19, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois fighting Illini cheerleaders during the first half against the Southern Illinois Salukis at Gies Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Football

After a relatively rough first two weeks to the season, the Illini came down hard on the Salukis, finally giving fans something to praise

Sep 19, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini wide receiver Hudson Clement (13) poses after getting first down during the second half against the Southern Illinois Salukis at Gies Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Football

The Illini bounced back in Week 3 against the Salukis, but even among the many positives were a handful of concerns as they enter the Big Ten schedule

Illinois football coach Bret Bielema addresses his players at Gies Memorial Stadium after a practice during fall camp in August 2026.

Guard TJ McMillen will miss the remainder of the 2026 season because of a foot fracture, which compromises the Illini in several ways

Sep 3, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini defensive back Matthew Bailey (7) tackles UAB Blazers running back Bam McReynolds (3) during the first half at Gies Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

It should be a glorious game day in Champaign on Saturday, but can the Illini do their part to complete the experience?

Illinois' Mac Resetich (0) runs back a punt for a big gain in the first half of the Illini's 42-23 win over UAB on Sept. 3, 2026 at Gies Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois.

Resetich, a senior, has paid his dues to earn a starting role in what could be one of college football's best secondaries

Jul 28, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Illinois Football head coach Bret Bielema speaks during Media Days at Hilton Chicago. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Illini coach Bret Bielema on Thursday addressed the health status and Week 2 availability of Brandon Henderson, Daniel Brown and Jayshon Platt