1 week Ago
Sign up for our daily Illini football newsletter here Greetings from "Can't Wait For Saturday," your morning morsel of college football, courtesy of longtime Illini beat writer, AP Top 25 voter and Heisman state rep Bob Asmussen. He'll give you his views each day on the game he loves. *** Anybody can look at the depth charts at Alabama, Georgia and Notre Dame and realize the third- and fourth-stringers are eager to get on the field.
And might be ready for a different school. But what about the starters in the Group of Five conferences? Or the FCS? Are they ready to move? And can they help in the Power Four? The Illinois portal class includes recent additions Nathan Knapik, an offensive lineman from Idaho, Southeast Missouri State offensive lineman Tyler McMillan and Northern Iowa defensive lineman Carter Hewitt. The Illinois transfer class of 14 players is ranked No.
44 nationally by 247 Sports. That puts Bret Bielema's team No. 13 in the Big Ten, behind Oregon (No.
5), Nebraska (12), Wisconsin (14), Southern California (18), UCLA (19), Indiana (21), Minnesota (23), Michigan State (24), Ohio State (31), Michigan (32), Washington (37) and Maryland (38). Is Illinois done adding? Probably not. If the roster size for 2025 is more than the projected 105 players, Bielema will be open to more growth.
Illinois finds itself in a good position because of its number of returning starters. It allows the program to be selective when considering players. The depth of talent on the team is at a high level.
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