Pranav Hegde

Pranav Hegde

Joined: Apr 10, 2025

Primarily covers Illinois football, basketball and golf, with an emphasis on news, analysis and features. Hegde, an electrical engineering student at Illinois with an affinity for sports writing, has been writing for On SI since April 2025. He can be followed and reached on Instagram @pranavhegde__.

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

Sep 12, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Duke Blue Devils running back Nate Sheppard (20) scores a touchdown during the first half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Gies Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

The 2025 Illinois football team celebrates its 20-13 win over Northwestern and securing The Hat award in the teams' rivalry last Nov. 29 at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois.

Sep 3, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; UAB Blazers wide receiver Ty Mims (0) dives over Illinois Fighting Illini defensive back Jakwon Morris (5) during the first half at Gies Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Dec 31, 2024; Orlando, FL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini defensive back Jaheim Clarke (25) celebrates his fumble recovery against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the third quarter at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Reper-Imagn Images

Football

Clarke, one of the most experienced members of the Illini defense, should fit right into a new scheme

Sep 14, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois fighting Illini long snapper Aiden Hall helps long snapper Pat Farrell with his jersey before a game against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Football

Senior Pat Farrell will be aiming to take on a bigger role in 2026 as the Illini transition to a more aggressive defensive scheme

Dec 31, 2024; Orlando, FL, USA; The Illinois Fighting Illini huddle up before the game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Reper-Imagn Images

Football

A popular, true-to-life college football video game projects an interesting 2026 campaign for the Illini

Sep 20, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini offensive lineman Brandon Henderson (94) scores a touchdown against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

Football

Brandon Henderson, who returns as the lone starter from last year's Illini offensive line, is aiming to deliver a huge senior year

Illinois football coach Bret Bielema poses in front of Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee, where his Illini will face Tennessee in Tuesday's Music City Bowl.

Football

Christian Martin brings experience and upside to Illinois as he prepares to take over at left tackle in 2026

Sep 27, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema talks with quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) during the first half against the Southern California Trojans at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Football

After a developmental first year in Champaign, Trimble appears poised to make a huge impact for the Illini in 2026

Illinois running back Aidan Laughery (21) is lifted up by offensive lineman J.C. Davis as teammates celebrate one of Laughery's three touchdowns against Northwestern in the Illini's 38-28 win Saturday at Wrigley Field in Chicago.

Football

Laughery is aiming to stay healthy and make the most of his senior season as part of a running back platoon – and maybe more

Jun 23, 2026; New York, NY, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver greets the fifth pick in the 2026 NBA draft, Illinois guard Keaton Wagler after he was selected by the Los Angeles Clippers at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Keaton Wagler, Ben Humrichous and Kylan Boswell each landed with an NBA franchise this week

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

Coleman will spend early June with Team USA, giving Illinois fans another reason to believe in their freshmen pipeline

Mar 28, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood and guard Andrej Stojakovic (2) celebrate after defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes in an Elite Eight game of the South Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

After testing the NBA waters, Stojakovic decided to officially return to Champaign for one more ride – and social media was over the moon about it

Nov 24, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Brandon Lee (1) drives to the b basket as U3 defends during the first half at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Lee, a top high school recruit in the class of 2025, will transfer to James Madison after one year in Champaign

Mar 28, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Keaton Wagler (23) speaks in a press conference after defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes in an Elite Eight game of the South Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

Wagler is headed toward the NBA lottery, but which pro teams will make the best fit for the soon-to-be former Illini?