Zachary Draves

Joined: Jun 29, 2024

Sep 14, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema shakes hands with head coach Jim McElwain (right) after a game at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Mar 28, 2024; Boston, MA, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Terrence Shannon Jr. (0) reacts after making a basket against the Iowa State Cyclones in the semifinals of the East Regional of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

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-USA TODAY Sports

Illinois running back Josh McCray (0) runs the ball during the third quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021 at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.

Cfb Purdue Vs Illinois

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-USA TODAY Sports

The Fighting Illini are looking to charter a new course with their defensive line after struggling in 2023 and Bret Bielema is thrilled about witnessing a renewed line led by Dennis Briggs Jr.

Jul 23, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini wide receiver Pat Bryant speaks to the media during the Big 10 football media day at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports

As the Fighting Illini are on the cusp of a new season, their quarterback Luke Altmyer will have a tremendous amount of pressure placed on him to set the tone, but he has wide receiver Pat Bryant who is more than willing to share that pressure

Oct 14, 2023; College Park, Maryland, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini wide receiver Pat Bryant (13) runs for a first half touchdown against the Maryland Terrapins at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

The Fighting Illini's top wide receiver Pat Bryant is poised to begin his final season with coach Bret Bielema wanting him to finish his career strong and set his sights on the NFL

Nov 4, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) throws the ball against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the second half at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

Fighting Illini QB Luke Altmyer enters his junior season with the chance to become one of the best quarterbacks in the Big Ten with experience and a revitalized offense on his side.

Oct 6, 2023; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini wide receiver Pat Bryant (13) catches a pass for a touchdown in front of Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive back Quinton Newsome (6) during the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

After losing Isiah Williams and Casey Washington, the Fighting Illini enter the 2024 season with at least five superbly talented wide receivers, including two notable transfers

April 20, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA: Texas Orange team defensive back Terrance Brooks (8) signs autographs for fans while visiting for the Longhorns' spring Orange and White game at Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sara Diggins-USA Today Sports via American Statesman

With a winning record and lead by example attitude, transfer cornerback Terrance Brooks has three important reasons why he chose to bring his talents to the Fighting Illini

Oct 21, 2023; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini running back Kaden Feagin (3) scores a touchdown during the second half against the Wisconsin Badgers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

After a season plagued by injuries and the transferring of Reggie Love III to Purdue, the Fighting Illini still have depth in the running back position entering the 2024 season

Dec 17, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; South Florida Bulls head coach Orlando Antigua reacts against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the first half at USF Sun Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Illinois assistant coach Orlando Antigua once tried to recruit Will Riley while as an assistant coach at Kentucky. It was his efforts that ultimately brought Riley to Illinois.

Mar 30, 2024; Boston, MA, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Terrence Shannon Jr. (0) reacts against the Connecticut Huskies in the finals of the East Regional of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Five former Illini players will get a chance to make their professional debut in the 2024 NBA Las Vegas Summer League

Cathedral Jake Davis (15) poses for a photo Thursday, Nov 10, 2022 at Cathedral High School in Indianapolis.

High School Basketball Superteam

Sophomore transfer Jake Davis is taking his talents from Mercer University to Illinois in the hope that he will be the Illini's sharp shooter

Louisville s Tre White makes the basket against Georgia Tech Saturday night in the KFC Yum Center.
Feb. 10, 2024

Transfer forward Tre White brings to Illinois both experience and potential. His track record of success at USC and Louisville gives coach Brad Underwood confidence along with room to add versatility to his game

Clearwater Central Catholic's Quarterback Jershaun Newton (1) finds running room during early first quarter action. The Clearwater Central Catholic Marauders traveled to Jacksonville, FL to take on the University Christian Christians in the Florida High School Athletic Association Class 1M starts football semifinal match Friday, December 2, 2022. The Marauders came away with a 29 to 34 win over the Christians.

Jki 120222 Hsfb Clearwater Vs Univ Christian 09

Quarterback Jershaun Newton of Clearwater Central Catholic High School in Clearwater, Florida brings a depth of passing and running excellence to the Fighting Illini

Zachary Draves

Joined: Jun 29, 2024

Illini's Bret Bielema Has Quite The Admiration For Penn State Venue

Terrence Shannon Jr., Mother File Lawsuit Alleging "Malicious Prosecution" In Rape Trial

Illini TE Cole Rusk Will Miss The Season Due To A Knee Injury

Illini RB Josh McCray Taking Pride In His Slimmer Physique

Illini's Bret Bielema Thinks D-Line Starts With Florida State transfer Dennis Briggs

Illinois' Pat Bryant Wants To Take Some Pressure Off Quarterback Luke Altmyer

Illinois' Bret Bielema Wants To See Receiver Pat Bryant Have Strong Ending To College Career

Fighting Illini Player Previews: QB Luke Altmyer

2024 Fighting Illini Position Breakdowns: Wide Receivers

DB Terrance Brooks Gives Three Reasons For Choosing To Transfer To Illinois

2024 Fighting Illini Position Breakdowns: Running Backs

Illini Assistant Orlando Antigua Details Pursuit Of Five-Star Recruit Will Riley

Here Are The Five Former Illini Players To Watch During The NBA Las Vegas Summer League

Can Jake Davis Become Next Shooting Star For The Illini?

Illini Transfer Tre White Brings Experience In Addition To Size In Frontcourt

Three-Star Quarterback With Strong Family Bloodlines Commits To Illinois