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USA Today
01-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
What to Know About Illinois Fighting Illini In 2025
The Illinois Fighting Illini are certainly a team that has come out of the woodwork in recent years. Under the reign of Bret Bielema, they have gone from conference laughingstock to a potential emergent powerhouse. With the likes of Luke Altmyer leading the pack at the QB position and linebacker Gabe Jacas anchoring the middle of a stout defensive front, the Illini are built to succeed now. The only thing that could potentially stand in their way is themselves. However, with one of the easiest Big Ten slates, they can finally start dreaming of a potential CFP bid in Champaign. Despite the fact that they have lost several key players both offensively and defensively, look for certain stars to step up and elevate their game as well. And who knows? Should they not slip, perhaps their dreams will become reality. 2024 in Review The Fighting Illini's 2024 season may have been one of their most successful in recent history. For the first time since 2011, the Illini were a 10-win program, going 6-3 within the conference. At the end of the year, the Illini were ranked #20 in the College Football Playoff Poll, #21 in the AP Top 25 Poll, and #21 in the Coaches Poll. After their success in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl however, they moved up to #16 in the AP Top 25 after vanquishing #14 South Carolina 21-17. That finish proved to be their second-highest ranking in the last 35 years and only their 12th ever appearance in the AP Top 25. Most importantly, they got back to 10 wins, tying a program record and also having a program-tying four wins against AP Top 25 opponents. Their Citrus Bowl win was the first bowl win since 2011 and their highest ranked non-conference victory since 1990. Perhaps the most stunning aspect of this shocking Illini season is that they were known for their comeback victories. Including their Citrus Bowl victory, the Illini led the nation in fourth quarter comebacks with 5 and consequently also led the nation in one-score victories as well because of their late heroics. Most of these victories stem from quarterback Luke Altmyer, who has led five game-winning drives in his Illinois career, most importantly, four coming in Big Ten wins. Now that Altmyer and 18 other starters from last year, there is hope that 2025 can be an even bigger breakthrough. Head Coach Profile Bret Bielema may just be one of the most well-renowned modern college football coaches. Whether it be his successful stint with Arkansas, or now revitalizing this Illini program, he has been making history no matter where he goes. Consider this: Bielema's 28-22 record in four seasons with the Illini is the second- best record through 50 games for any Illini coach, only behind Mike White of the '80s. Most impressively he is the first Illinois head coach to even win eight games twice in his first four seasons in almost 35 years. Furthermore, his 18 Big Ten wins, critical in this expanded format, are the second-most ever in four seasons behind John Mackovic with 22. Most impressively, however, might just be his performances on the road. No other Illini coach in their first four years has won more Bielema's four ranked road/neutral games. His 10 wins in Big Ten road games is tied for second best, only behind Mike White and tied with Lou Tepper and John Mackovic. Heading into his fifth season, Bielema's job is certainly safe. However, this could be a landmark year if he does what no other Illini coach has ever dreamed of accomplishing. Top Offensive Player Now that the Fighting Illini have lost two of their leading receivers from last season, the onus now falls on Luke Altmyer to continue his exploits in terms of leading this team to improbable heights. The former Ole Miss QB has certainly performed to expectation thus far in his short Illinois career. However, he might have to exceed them for Illinois to finally break through to the CFP. He certainly has proved he has the traits to do so. Last season, Altmyer was one of only four Power 4 QBs with 20+ touchdowns and fiver or fewer interceptions in the regular season. He also ranked 33rd in passing efficiency, a respectable placement considering the efficiency of the Illini offense itself. However, something that may seem slightly lees impressive to some is that despite finishing in the Big Ten's top five in terms of passing touchdowns, that number was only good for 31st in the nation. That tally must go up for the Illini to continue to sustain this recent success. Breaking in a largely green receiving will not necessarily help matters for Altmyer. However, the positive takeaways from Altmyer's 2024 season could pay dividends this year. Altmyer has continued the trend of recent passing efficiency success, with his 144.0 rating being the second best in the past three years. This continues a trend of efficiency within the Illini offense itself as OC Brian Lunney has been at the helm for three of the four best passing efficient offenses in program history. Lastly and perhaps, most importantly amidst Altmyer's accolades is his pedigree against Top 25 opponents. His 3 wins against Top 25 opponets are already the same number as several other Illinois QBs over the past 50 years. The sky's the limit for Altmyer and this year will ultimately prove if he can take off. Top Defensive Player The Illini defense was exceptional last year at almost every single level. However, there was one player who anchored it all: Gabe Jacas. In the middle of the Illini's front seven, he had one of the most successful seasons for an Illini defender in their history. In an All-Big Ten Third team worthy season, Jacas had a remarkable campaign. Against ranked opponents alone, he had 41 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles. However, that only paints half the picture. His 3 forced fumbles overall were tied for 25th in the nation as well as his 8 sacks, which were also good enough for fifth in the Big Ten. Seven of those eight sacks came against Big Ten competition to boot. His 74 tackles were second overall on the team, and he led them in tackles for loss, sacks and QB hurries as well. In their bowl victory, he had a career high 3 TFLs to help them clinch the victory. Furthermore, in an impressive ranked win over Michigan, he had a career 13 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 2.5 TFLs, and his fourth ever forced fumble in his career. However, the most impressive aspect of his career, is that he has been able to vault himself up to ninth in the Illinois football history books in terms of sacks with 16 to his name. Turn in a couple more sterling performances, especially when it matters, and his name could be one of legend in Champaign. 2025 Schedule Outlook The Illini may have gotten off easy in terms of their schedule this season. Avoiding Penn State and Oregon is one thing. Not facing more than two potential ranked opponents is another. However, that does not mean there could be cause for some slip ups, either. A couple of games that should be highlighted on the schedule are obviously the Week 7 matchup with Ohio State but also Week 5 against USC. Those could be the only two chances for the Illini to truly prove they are CFP worthy to the committee. Both USC and Ohio State should both be squarely within the AP polls at the time of these games so two big wins there could really boost their CFP hopes. They get both games at home so at the very least they have that advantage. Another intriguing game is their first Big Ten game of the season against the Indiana Hoosiers. One could definitely say that the winner of that game has the best fighting chance out of the Big Ten's Big Three to make the CFP. Indiana were the true surprise team, riding the high of Curt Cignetti and his JMU transfers to CFP glory. Illinois will be looking to do the same, on the road in what should be an electric environment. However, as last year proved, they are not averse to anything. This should be a thrilling campaign for Illinois fans if everything goes as planned. Everything is right there for the taking. They just can't let anything slip.
New York Times
26-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Seahawks draft safety Nick Emmanwori: How he fits, draft grade and scouting intel
The Seattle Seahawks have bolstered their secondary by trading up and selecting South Carolina safety Nick Emmanwori with the No. 35 pick in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Seattle sent pick Nos. 52 and 82 to the Tennessee Titans in order to make the pick. Emmanwori saw his draft stock rise following a junior season in which he earned first-team All-America honors from the Associated Press and first-team All-SEC honors. He was also a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, presented to the top defensive back in college football. Emmanwori led the Gamecocks in tackles (88) while showcasing his ballhawking skills with four interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns. Over three seasons at South Carolina, Emmanwori totaled 244 tackles and had six interceptions. Advertisement The 6-feet-3, 220-pound safety's best game of the season came at the outset of South Carolina's six-game winning streak leading into its Cheez-It Citrus Bowl appearance. Against Oklahoma, he had 11 tackles and two interceptions — one of which was a 65-yard pick six. Emmanwori tested well at February's NFL Scouting Combine to keep up the positive momentum going. At the event in Indianapolis, he posted the top marks at his position in the 10-yard split (1.49 seconds), vertical jump (43 inches), broad jump (11 feet, six inches) and bench press (20 reps) and the second-best time in the 40-yard dash (4.38 seconds). Emmanwori ranked No. 17 in Dane Brugler's top 300 big board. Here's what Brugler had to say about him in his annual NFL Draft guide: 'Emmanwori does a nice job reading route concepts in underneath coverages, and he will make plays on the ball with his reaction quickness. Some of his reads and angles are inconsistent from depth, but he keys quickly from the box and plays with physicality. Overall, Emmanwori has the size, speed and mindset to play a variety of roles, although he projects best near the line of scrimmage, where he can blitz, be an eraser against the run and man up with tight ends and backs in coverage. He has the floor of an adequate starter and special-teamer, but his ceiling is exciting and will put him high on NFL teams' safety stack.' What an anonymous coach had to say about Emmanwori in Bruce Feldman's mock draft: 'He's as big as some defensive ends in college and faster than anyone on the field. He's got so much range, it gives you a lot to worry about. There's some inconsistency there with him on the film, but you just don't see guys this size or this athletic.' TO THE🏡 — Gamecock Football (@GamecockFB) October 19, 2024 This is the best pick of the draft. Few players are as athletic or as potentially impactful as Emmanwori (6-foot-3 1/8, 220 pounds). He was a first-team All-American last year with two pick sixes, four interceptions overall and a team-high 88 tackles for South Carolina. Over three seasons in Columbia, Emmanwori started 36 games and affected the game in every facet. He's a physical tackler with impressive speed (4.38 seconds in the 40). Grade: A+ Emmanwori is a big defensive back at 6-3 and 220 pounds. His pre-draft testing earned him a perfect Relative Athletic Score. That's a special combination of size, strength and athleticism, which is why he projects as a player who will excel near the line of scrimmage. There's a natural spot for such a player in Mike Macdonald's defense as a 'big nickel,' a personnel grouping Seattle often used last season. Macdonald likes that unit in part because he can match 11 personnel with five defensive backs but also defend the run, since the third safety in that situation is typically a very physical player. That's where Emmanwori comes in. — Michael-Shawn Dugar Advertisement Seattle has its starting safeties in Julian Love and Coby Bryant, but the latter is on an expiring deal, and the team doesn't have promising depth at that spot after missing on Rayshawn Jenkins and K'Von Wallace in free agency last offseason (Jerrick Reed II is still an unproven commodity). D'Anthony Bell was signed in free agency this offseason as safety depth, but taking a flier on the former Cleveland Brown wasn't going to stop Seattle from investing in the position. Emmanwori will have a chance to compete for meaningful snaps in Year 1. — Dugar The first two players selected in the second round were on our list of best available players: LB Carson Schwesinger and WR Jayden Higgins. Other players from the list included CB Will Johnson, edge rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku, DT Darius Alexander and CB Azareye'h Thomas. Emmanwori was considered by some to be a first-round talent, and that likely explains Seattle's desire to move up in the second round. He might not have lasted until the 50th pick. Seattle still has its native second-round pick (50) and the third-round pick it received in the Geno Smith deal (92), so some of the other players on our best available list might still be in play. — Dugar Seattle's projected starting secondary entering the draft featured Devon Witherspoon, Josh Jobe, Riq Woolen, Love and Bryant. Only Witherspoon and Love are under contract beyond this season. There was a need for another young defensive back. Drafting Emmanwori might be a good move for the future on top of his potential impact in 2025. He'll draw some Kam Chancellor and Kyle Hamilton comparisons because of his size, but at first glance, Emmanwori comes off as a bigger version of Love in that he has limited range but can make plays near the line of scrimmage
USA Today
21-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Georgia football signs Illinois transfer RB
Georgia football signs Illinois transfer RB The Georgia Bulldogs have signed Illinois Fighting Illini running back Josh McCray via the NCAA transfer portal. McCray is a bruising back, who has one year of eligibility left, and was Illinois' leading rusher in 2024. McCray had a team-high 117 carries, 609 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns (No. 9 in the Big Ten/tied) in 2024. The 6-foot-1, 235-pound running back has a physical running style and is tough to bring down on first contact. McCray does not have elite speed, but runs with toughness and is excellent in between the tackles. McCray spent the first four seasons of his college football career with Illinois. He missed a lot of action in 2022 and 2023 due to injuries, but returned for a healthy and productive campaign in 2024. 247Sports ranks McCray as the No. 27 transfer running back in the country and the No. 435 overall player to enter the portal (includes the spring and winter portal windows). McCray's transfer ranking is surprisingly low considering his production from last season. However, McCray has some limitations as a pass catcher and a concerning injury history, so perhaps that explains McCray's transfer ranking. Highlights from McCray's Cheez-It Bowl game McCray's top performance in 2024 came in Illinois' 21-17 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl win over the South Carolina Gamecocks. He recorded 114 rushing yards on 13 carries and scored two rushing touchdowns. Kirby Smart reacts after McCray's commitment Georgia also brought in Army outside linebacker transfer Elo Modozie and Miami defensive line transfer Josh Horton. The Bulldogs have several other notable transfer portal targets, but they are mostly on defense. Georgia is in the mix for Syracuse defensive lineman Maraad Watson and UNC edge rusher Beau Atkinson, who are two of the top available players in the transfer portal.
USA Today
20-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Illinois transfer RB expected to visit Georgia football
Illinois transfer RB expected to visit Georgia football Illinois Fighting Illini transfer running back Josh McCray is reportedly planning to visit the Georgia Bulldogs. McCray is one of the top running backs available in the transfer portal. The 6-foot-1, 235-pound running back has excellent size and could help Georgia replace running back Branson Robinson, who entered the transfer portal this spring. McCray also has a solid track record of production. As a junior, McCray posted 117 carries for 609 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns (tied for No. 9 in the Big Ten) in 2024. He also added 13 receptions for 116 yards and one touchdown. McCray would be a good complement to Georgia's projected starting running back Nate Frazier, who is shifty and elusive, but does not have McCray's size. McCray is from Enterprise, Alabama. He was originally a three-star recruit in the class of 2021. He's spent the first four seasons of his college football career with Illinois. McCray missed the majority of the season in both 2022 and 2023 due to injuries. The bruising running back has 291 carries, 1,370 rushing yards, and 14 rushing touchdowns in his college football career. He's appeared in 33 games including two starts. McCray's top performance last season came in Illinois' 21-17 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl win over the South Carolina Gamecocks. He recorded 114 rushing yards on 13 carries and scored two rushing touchdowns. Georgia's other transfer targets include
