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Miami Herald
3 days ago
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Illinois Football Preview 2025: Fighting Illini Prediction, Win Total, Top 10 Players, Keys to the Season
X CFN, Fiu | CFN Facebook | Bluesky Fiu, CFN2025 Illinois PreviewIllinois Offense BreakdownIllinois Defense Breakdown Illinois Fighting Illini Key to the Season The defensive front has to get into the has the guys, and now the pressure has to come. The 2022 defense lived behind the line, making 81 tackles for loss and 28 sacks. The 2023 bunch stalled a bit too often - 24 sacks and 57 tackles for loss - and last year, despite all of the success, the line managed just 54 tackles for loss and 24 sacks. Illinois Fighting Illini Key Player Malik Elzy, WR Illini have defensive options to get behind the line. What they don't have is a sure-thing No. 1 target to make defenses worry. There's talent and depth to be fine overall as a corps, but it would be a huge help if Elzy, who has all the tools in the box to be special, can blow up on the outside. Illinois Fighting Illini Top Transfer, Biggest Transfer Loss Top Transfer In: James Thompson Jr. Out last year banged up, the 6-6, 300-pound former Wisconsin Badger made five sacks and 52 tackles in his previous two seasons. One of the top linemen in the portal, he's a 3-4 NFL-caliber end who can stuff things up inside, Transfer Out: Josh McCray, RB Illini have options, but losing a 240-pound veteran back who averaged over five yards per carry with ten scores last year isn't a plus. McCray is off to Georgia. Illinois Fighting Illini Key Game at Washington, Oct. 25Illinois might have dreams of playing for the Big Ten Championship, and those aren't wrong. But big picture, get to 10-2, get into the College Football Playoff. Beating Ohio State would obviously be huge, but that's a massive lift. After that, there's a week off, and then comes a trip to Seattle. Get through that - it's the first meeting since a 44-19 loss in 2014 - and there's a real shot at something big.- 2025 Illinois Schedule Breakdown Illinois Fighting Illini Top 10 Players 1. Gabe Jacas, LB Sr.2. Xavier Scott, S Sr.3. Luke Altmyer, QB Sr.4. JC Davis, OT Sr.5. Matthew Bailey, S Jr. 6. Melvin Priestly, OT Sr.7. Josh Kreutz, C Sr.8. Miles Scott, S Sr.9. James Thompson, EDGE Sr.10. David Olano, PK Jr. Illinois Fighting Illini 2024 Fun Stats - Yards Per Game: Opponents 373.8, Illinois 364.8- Touchdowns Scored: Illinois 45, Opponents 33- First Quarter Scoring: Illinois 82, Opponents. 59 Illinois Fighting Illini 2025 Season Prediction, Win Total, What Will Happen The Illini have got to take advantage of the hand they've been they have to face Ohio State, but that's in Champaign. They miss Michigan, Oregon, and Penn State. This year, you don't want Iowa, Minnesota, and Nebraska, and the Illini don't get it's Illinois. It wouldn't be the slightest bit shocking if it lost at Purdue and beat Ohio State a week later. Going to Duke is sneaky-nasty, making the trip to Indiana is no longer a given win, and a date at Washington is is dangerous, and Wisconsin should be better ... maybe. USC is still a restaurant quality program, going to Washington won't be a speed bump, and ...If Illinois is the real deal, it should win ten games The Illinois Fighting Illini Win Total At … 8Likely Wins: at Purdue, Western Illinois, Western Michigan50/50 Games: at Duke, at Indiana, Maryland, Northwestern, Rutgers, USC, at Washington, at WisconsinLikely Losses: Ohio State 2025 Illinois PreviewIllinois Offense BreakdownIllinois Defense Breakdown © 2025 The Arena Group Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.
Newsweek
03-06-2025
- General
- Newsweek
US Open: High School Junior Shoots 63-63 to Earn Spot at Oakmont
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. In one of the biggest upsets of the so called 'Golf's Longest Day', 17-year-old Mason Howell won the U.S. Open final qualifier at the Piedmont Driving Club in Atlanta, Georgia. The high school junior secured his spot at the Oakmont Country Club in two weeks with consecutive scores of 63. Howell, a native of Thomasville, Georgia, tied for medalist honors with Jackson Buchanan, who is just starting his professional career after a successful stint with the Illinois Fighting Illini in college golf. If you think this is the highlight of Howell's young career, you're right. He didn't hide his emotions at the end of the 36-hole event. "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous," Howell told Golf Channel. "Hugging my mom and my dad walking off 18 green, just a feeling I don't know I'll feel again, but that was one of the greatest moments of my life." "That was one of the greatest moments of my life." Nobody better than mom and dad to celebrate a trip to the U.S. Open! — U.S. Open (@usopengolf) June 2, 2025 Howell and Buchanan earned two of the five spots awarded in the final qualifier in Atlanta. The other three tickets went to the Florida State Seminoles star Tyler Weaver, to Jackson Koivun, the world's second-ranked amateur, and PGA Tour player Will Chandler, who were all tied at 11-under. Several experienced players were present at the Piedmont Driving Club but were unable to advance. Among the participants were two-time major champion Zach Johnson, Hayden Buckley, Greyson Sigg, and Christo Lamprecht. Mason Howell is not an unknown name in the golf world. The American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) recognizes him as the eighth top-ranked junior golfer in the country. However, it's worth noting that this ranking only considers 10 of the tournaments he has played from 2024 to the present. Mason Howell of the United States plays a shot on the 16th hole during day two of the 76th U.S. Junior Amateur Championship on the South Course at Oakland Hills Country Club on July 23,... Mason Howell of the United States plays a shot on the 16th hole during day two of the 76th U.S. Junior Amateur Championship on the South Course at Oakland Hills Country Club on July 23, 2024 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. More Getty Images/Raj Mehta His key results include winning the 2023 Billy Horschel Junior Championship and finishing second in the 2024 Wyndham Invitational. His other impressive results include a 5th-place finish in the 2024 Junior Players Championship, a 7th-place tie in the 2025 Dustin Johnson World Junior Championship, and an 8th-place tie in the 2025 Junior Invitational at Sage Valley. While most of the events he has participated in are in the junior category, he also earns points toward the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) through them. Howell currently holds the 496th spot in that ranking. More Golf: Rockies fans will be left crying at this insane Scottie Scheffler stat
USA Today
21-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Nebraska wide receiver target commits to Illinois
Nebraska wide receiver target commits to Illinois The Nebraska Cornhuskers missed out on a top class of 2026 target. Wide receiver Nasir Rankin announced his commitment to the Illinois Fighting Illini on Wednesday night. Rankin chose Illinois over other finalists Duke, North Carolina, USC, and Nebraska. According to the 247Sports Composite Rankings, Rankin is the No. 9 overall athlete in the 2026 class and the No. 2 overall athlete from the state of Illinois. Last season, he had 40 catches for 991 yards and 12 touchdowns for Morgan Park High School. The 247Sports Team Rankings have the Huskers' 2026 recruiting class ranked No. 61 overall and No. 17 in the Big Ten Conference. The class has four commits, led by cornerback CJ Bronaugh. Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes, and opinions.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Wisconsin top class of 2026 target receives notable prediction before commitment date
Wisconsin football class of 2026 defensive line target King Liggins will announce his collegiate commitment later today, Wednesday, May 21. Liggins, who received his offer from Luke Fickell's program on June 16, 2024, will decide between the Badgers and Illinois Fighting Illini during 247Sports' Ultimate College Football Show on Wednesday, according to Allen Trieu. Advertisement A product of Chicago Brother Rice in Chicago, Illinois, Liggins is 247Sports' No. 91 defensive lineman and No. 19 prospect from Illinois in the class of 2026. He's received offers from nearly 30 programs scattered throughout the nation, including from Iowa, Indiana, Purdue, Rutgers and Kansas. Here's Trieu's recruiting profile on the three-star recruit: "Liggins is a coveted prospect because at 6-foot-4, 280 pounds, he can play inside and is a little more ready-made than other interior prospects. That body type and the athleticism that goes along with it are typically more rare in the Midwest. So when they come along, these guys tend to be very heavily recruited and that is the case with Liggins. He shows motor and ability to run plays down. He is not just a guy who eats up space, but can also penetrate and make plays. But if needed, he can tie up blockers as well. He has grown steadily from 240 pounds when we first saw him to 265 to 280. We project him getting over 300 pounds and being a true defensive tackle." While Wisconsin is certainly a finalist, On3's recruiting prediction machine considers Illinois a favorite to secure Liggins at 88.2%. Wisconsin, meanwhile, boasts just a 3.0% likelihood to earn a commitment. 247Sports' Illinois expert Jeremy Werner also registered a crystal ball prediction favoring the Illini. As of May 20, Wisconsin's class of 2026 currently features seven commits and ranks No. 43 in the country. A commitment from Liggins would certainly boost that ranking, but only marginally. 247Sports' Ultimate College Football Show begins at 3 p.m. CT. Liggins' commitment is expected between 3:30 and 3:45 p.m. CT. Advertisement Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin Football King Liggins pre-commitment prediction to Illinois
USA Today
21-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Wisconsin top class of 2026 target receives notable prediction before commitment date
Wisconsin top class of 2026 target receives notable prediction before commitment date Wisconsin football class of 2026 defensive line target King Liggins will announce his collegiate commitment later today, Wednesday, May 21. Liggins, who received his offer from Luke Fickell's program on June 16, 2024, will decide between the Badgers and Illinois Fighting Illini during 247Sports' Ultimate College Football Show on Wednesday, according to Allen Trieu. A product of Chicago Brother Rice in Chicago, Illinois, Liggins is 247Sports' No. 91 defensive lineman and No. 19 prospect from Illinois in the class of 2026. He's received offers from nearly 30 programs scattered throughout the nation, including from Iowa, Indiana, Purdue, Rutgers and Kansas. Here's Trieu's recruiting profile on the three-star recruit: "Liggins is a coveted prospect because at 6-foot-4, 280 pounds, he can play inside and is a little more ready-made than other interior prospects. That body type and the athleticism that goes along with it are typically more rare in the Midwest. So when they come along, these guys tend to be very heavily recruited and that is the case with Liggins. He shows motor and ability to run plays down. He is not just a guy who eats up space, but can also penetrate and make plays. But if needed, he can tie up blockers as well. He has grown steadily from 240 pounds when we first saw him to 265 to 280. We project him getting over 300 pounds and being a true defensive tackle." While Wisconsin is certainly a finalist, On3's recruiting prediction machine considers Illinois a favorite to secure Liggins at 88.2%. Wisconsin, meanwhile, boasts just a 3.0% likelihood to earn a commitment. 247Sports' Illinois expert Jeremy Werner also registered a crystal ball prediction favoring the Illini. As of May 20, Wisconsin's class of 2026 currently features seven commits and ranks No. 43 in the country. A commitment from Liggins would certainly boost that ranking, but only marginally. 247Sports' Ultimate College Football Show begins at 3 p.m. CT. Liggins' commitment is expected between 3:30 and 3:45 p.m. CT. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
