Illinois Fighting Illini Football

University of Illinois head football coach Bret Bielema took a shot at former University of Michigan and current Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh on social media Wednesday.

Replying to a video on X that featured Harbaugh saying, "If you cheat to win, then you've already lost," during his time as head coach of the San Francisco 49ers, Bielema threw some shade at Harbaugh regarding how his tenure at Michigan ended:

Really…. Why did you leave?

Was looking forward to playing but understand why you ran to the #NFL

See you in the future and can’t wait #famILLy #ILL https://t.co/4y7C5ecvUA

— Bret Bielema (@BretBielema) January 29, 2025

During Harbaugh's final season at Michigan in 2023, analyst Connor Stalions resigned from his role with the team amid an NCAA investigation into allegations that he was the leader of an illegal sign-stealing operation.

The Wolverines went a perfect 15-0 and won the national championship in 2023, but Harbaugh left his alma mater at the end of the season to take the Chargers' head coaching job.

During the 2023 campaign, Harbaugh had to serve a pair of suspensions due to NCAA violations.

The first suspension was a self-imposed, three-game ban as a result of recruiting violations, and then he served another three-game suspension later in the season as punishment for the sign-stealing scandal.

Sherrone Moore, who is now the head coach at Michigan, won all six games as the interim head coach while Harbaugh was out, and Harbaugh was allowed to return for the Big Ten Championship Game and the College Football Playoff.

Back in August, after Harbaugh had already left for the NFL, the NCAA provided Michigan with a formal Notice of Allegations related to the sign-stealing investigation.

Several current and former members of the Michigan football program, including Harbaugh, were accused of committing Level I violations.

On Tuesday, Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports reported that Michigan intends to fight the NCAA on the allegations, with the university stating that the NCAA is "grossly overreaching" and "wildly overcharging" the program.

In his first season back in the NFL, Harbaugh led the Chargers to an 11-6 record and a playoff berth, marking the fourth time in his five seasons as an NFL head coach that he secured a playoff berth.

As for Michigan, the Wolverines took a big step back from 2023 to 2024, finishing 8-5. However, Michigan did beat rival and eventual national championship-winning Ohio State for a fourth consecutive year.

Bielema, who coached Wisconsin in the Big Ten from 2006 to 2012, returned to the conference with Illinois in 2021 after a five-year run at Arkansas.

He led the Fighting Illini to a 10-3 mark in 2024, which was their best record since 2001 when they went 10-2.

Included in those 10 wins was a 21-7 home triumph over a Michigan team that was the No. 24-ranked squad in the nation at the time of the game.

HEIGHT: 6'2"

WEIGHT: 208

HAND: 9⅜"

ARM: 31⅛"

WINGSPAN: 77¾"

---

POSITIVES

— Innate ball skills and body control to win contested catches with high point ability.

— Good football IQ and feel for the game; identifies coverages post-snap.

— Long-striding athlete who can eat up grass and cushion if give a free release.

---

NEGATIVES

— Lacks immediate/instant explosiveness off the line of scrimmage.

— Despite height and frame, he doesn't utilize wingspan to the full extent at the catch point.

— Route tree is not overly polished or expanded.

---

NOTES

— Born Dec. 10, 2002

— 3-Star recruit in 2022 class, per 247Sports

— 2024: Second-Team All-Big Ten; Team captain

---

OVERALL

Pat Bryant is a physical and alignment versatile possession receiver with good athleticism to win on the outside.

Pat Bryant has built up speed to attack the vertical plane. If given a free release with minimal contact, he strides upfield to work behind the cornerback. Bryant is a long strider and eats up ground when he is at top speed.

Regarding route running, Bryant uses subtle movements to push defenders off their spots and open space for him to work into. Bryant's hard jab steps at the top of routes to create the separation needed for his QB. He runs routes with good pacing and timing syncing with the other receivers' route patterns. Finding and working into voids in the defensive coverage shells is a strength of Bryant.

He identifies moving parts well post snap and gets to his landmarks—he understands when to settle into the void and keep going for instant YAC. Once the ball is caught, Bryant displays good burst/explosion, transitioning from receiver to runner. He gets north/south quickly to optimize his yards after catch opportunities.

Bryant thrives when the football is in flight due to his ball skills and body control. Acrobatic catches are common for him on the sideline. Bryant flashes late hands as the ball approaches and his defender is in tight coverage. He does a good job on back shoulder fades to decelerate and create late separation from his defender.

Top-end speed is questionable for Bryant. He can build speed up but is not a dynamic athlete at the snap. Defenders won't be deterred from tight press alignment, they will make him work to get over the top and stack them quickly. Bryant is inconsistent with using his wingspan at the catch point. Yes, he tracks the ball well but he will wait for it to drop instead of attacking it at its highest point with full extension. NFL defenders are adept at punching through the pocket to dislodge the ball and force pass breakups.

Overall, Pat Bryant projects as a well-rounded perimeter wide receiver. He is effective inside as a "power slot" in multi-WR sets. His plus-level run blocking and effort will put him in the coach's good graces. Bryant can be an adequate WR3 in an NFL offense.

---

GRADE: 6.9 (Potential Role Player — 4th Round)

OVERALL RANK: 114

POSITION RANK: WR13

PRO COMPARISON: Shades of Rashod Bateman

---

Written by B/R NFL Scout Dame Parson

---

Prospect workout numbers, measurables (40-yard dash, hand size, etc.) and 2024 statistics will be added at a later date.

The confrontation between head coaches Bret Bielema and Shane Beamer in Illinois' 21-17 victory over South Carolina the Citrus Bowl on Tuesday was due to an issue of player safety.

Bielema gestured toward Beamer and the South Carolina sideline after he came onto the field late in the third quarter to tend to Jaheim Clarke when he was injured.

Had NOTHING to do with substitution. Had everything to do with player safety. #HappyNewYear2025 #famILLy #ILL

The best is yet to come. https://t.co/E4AkYOuujN

— Bret Bielema (@BretBielema) January 1, 2025

Emotions flared between South Carolina coach Shane Beamer and Illinois coach Bret Bielema.

Bielema appeared to taunt Beamer while he was tending to an injured player.

🎥 @espn | H/T @nocontextcfb pic.twitter.com/0O2YRa5CCK

— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) December 31, 2024

The situation began four plays earlier on a kickoff when the Gamecocks gave the T-bar signal that usually indicates the receiving team will take a touchback rather than attempt a return, but instead ran a trick play that resulted in a return of a 25 yards.

Speaking to reporters after the game, Bielema explained there was nothing illegal about what South Carolina did but questioned the ethics of doing it on a high-impact play like a kickoff.

"There's nothing illegal, they didn't do anything illegal, but it put us in a position that the ethic of what that is got evaporated, because our kids stopped [running]," Bielema said.

Bielema and Beamer continued their back on forth on social media, with the Illinois head coach sarcastically wishing Beamer a happy new year.

Happy New Year and congrats on a great season…. #HappNewYear2025 #CFBPlayoff https://t.co/tUtQNcZw61

— Bret Bielema (@BretBielema) January 1, 2025

You can see in the clip of the incident that Bielema directs a T-bar signal at the group of South Carolina players and coaches who are on the field while Clarke is being tended to.

Bielema's gesture led to Beamer coming onto the field and having to be held back by his coaching staff and officials.

"I've got a lot of respect for him. He's obviously done this for a long time, but in all my years of coaching I've never seen that happen," Beamer said after the game. "An opposing coach come over, while his player is hurt and, basically, have something to say to the opposing head coach."

There was a lot of gamesmanship being utilized by both teams throughout the game. Thomas Goldkamp of On3.com noted Illinois was subbing players late in response to moves by South Carolina, resulting in the Gamecocks coming close to taking delay-of-game penalties on multiple occasions.

Bielema and the Illini got the last laugh on Josh McCray's nine-yard touchdown run midway through the fourth quarter put them ahead 21-17. South Carolina got down to Illinois' seven-yard line on its ensuing drive, but LaNorris Sellers' pass on fourth-and-4 was incomplete for a turnover on downs.

Illinois was able to run out the clock on its final possession to hold on for the win. The Illini finished the season with 10 wins for the first time since 2001.

HEIGHT: 5'11"

WEIGHT: 190

---

POSITIVES

— Smart player with the position versatility to play from the slot and outside cornerback.

— Drops very well in zones with good leverage and shows anticipation for throws. He plays calm with the ball in the air and shows the ball skills and necessary timing when swiping through the catch point.

— Physical at the line of scrimmage. Shocks receivers and does a good job of getting in phase, showing good twitch and short areas.

---

NEGATIVES

— Hip tightness shows up as routes progress. He struggles to swivel his hips and allows separation at the top of routes.

— Though he's a tough player, he can get pushed around and shielded in the run.

— Below average eye discipline in zone can lead to him staring at the quarterback in underneath coverage, allowing receivers to run through his zone and sneak in behind him.

---

NOTES

— Born Dec 19, 2002

— 3-Star recruit in the 2022 class, per 247Sports

— 2024: First Team All-Big Ten

— 2023: All-Big Ten Honorable Mention

---

OVERALL

Xavier Scott is a versatile cornerback prospect from Illinois who brings intelligence, competitiveness, and positional flexibility to the field. At 5'11" and 190 pounds, Scott possesses the athletic profile to contribute as both a slot and outside cornerback, showcasing the instincts and ball skills necessary to be a playmaker in the secondary. His blend of toughness and technical ability makes him an intriguing prospect for teams looking for a dependable presence in coverage.

Scott is a willing run defender who consistently competes at the line of scrimmage. His physicality is evident when taking on blocks, though his lack of size can lead to him being pushed around or shielded by larger receivers and blockers. While Scott does his part in filling lanes, he can get washed down in traffic, occasionally leaving him out of position. Despite his smaller stature, Scott shows the willingness to mix it up with ball-carriers.

In coverage, Scott shows the versatility to play both man and zone schemes, where his intelligence and anticipation allow him to drop effectively and maintain leverage. He displays quick feet in his backpedal and sharp twitch in short areas, giving him the ability to stay in phase with receivers off the line of scrimmage. His ball skills stand out, particularly his ability to track the ball in the air and time his plays at the catch point. However, Scott's hip tightness becomes apparent as routes progress, limiting his ability to transition fluidly and leading to separation at the top of routes. His eye discipline in zone coverage can also be a liability, as he has a tendency to stare down quarterbacks and lose track of threats running through his zone.

Xavier Scott projects as a mid to late-round pick with the potential to develop into a high-level rotational / depth cornerback in the NFL. His football IQ, positional versatility, and ball skills make him a strong candidate for zone-heavy schemes that can take advantage of his anticipation and quickness. While his hip tightness could limit his effectiveness outside, Scott's competitiveness and versatility provide value as a dependable coverage option in sub-packages.

---

GRADE: 6.8 (Potential Role Player — 4th Round)

OVERALL RANK: 116

POSITION RANK: CB18

PRO COMPARISON: Elijah Campbell

---

Written by B/R NFL Scout Cory Giddings

---

Prospect workout numbers, measurables (40-yard dash, hand size, etc.) and 2024 statistics will be added at a later date.

The Illinois Fighting Illini are breaking out their 1920s jerseys for Saturday's showdown with Michigan.

Illinois showed off its threads, including custom leather helmets, for the upcoming game between the Big Ten rivals that also serve as a celebration of the 100th anniversary of Red Grange's iconic six-touchdown performance against the Wolverines.

Illinois will wear these sweet throwback uniforms vs. Michigan Saturday. The 1920s-themed uniforms commemorates 100th anniversary of Red Grange’s 6-TD game vs. UM pic.twitter.com/sAjQ49hpXj

— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) October 17, 2024

The time has come...#Illini // #HTTO // #famILLy pic.twitter.com/ROn1wBNrlk

— Illinois Football (@IlliniFootball) October 17, 2024

Special touches for the special weekend. #Illini // #HTTO // #famILLy pic.twitter.com/2u0pMZKMjz

— Illinois Football (@IlliniFootball) October 17, 2024

Friday is the official 100th anniversary of Grange's performance in a 39-14 win for the Illini. He opened the game with a 95-yard kickoff return touchdown, ran for scores from 66, 55 and 40 yards all in the first half.

The second half saw Grange run for another score and throw a 20-yard touchdown pass. He also intercepted two passes on defense in the game.

When the game was over, Grange had racked up 402 all-purpose yards (212 rushing, 126 kickoff return and 60 passing) in addition to scoring all six touchdowns for the Illini.

The formal dedication of Memorial Stadium—which originally opened in 1923—happened on the date of the Michigan game on Oct. 18, 1924, with 67,000 fans in attendance.

Grange finished the 1924 season with 1,176 yards of total offense and 15 touchdowns. He was a unanimous All-American selection and earned Big Ten MVP honors in 1924.

Illinois went 6-1-1 with wins over Michigan and Ohio State. The school hasn't defeated both teams in the same season since 1999.

The Wolverines have won six straight games in the rivalry dating back to 2010. Illinois enters Saturday's game ranked No. 22 in the Associated Press Top 25 poll with a 5-1 record. Its lone loss was a 21-7 defeat at No. 3 Penn State on Sept. 28.

Michigan has slipped to No. 24 in the current AP poll after a 27-17 loss to Washington on Oct. 5. The reigning national champs have already lost twice this season after a 15-0 record in 2023.

The Wolverines and Illini will kickoff from Memorial Stadium at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday.

A battle between two exciting quarterbacks saw Luke Altmyer's Illinois come out on top against Dylan Raiola's Nebraska in overtime on Friday.

Fans couldn't have asked for a much more exciting contest as the two teams stayed neck and neck throughout the game. Nebraska and Illinois traded fourth-quarter touchdowns and the Huskers later had the chance to take the lead on a field goal, but missed to keep the score locked at 24.

In overtime, the Fighting Illini practically walked into the endzone. It took just two plays for Illinois to score and put the pressure on Nebraska.

The Huskers had quite the opposite experience in their overtime drive as Illinois' offensive line had their way with Raiola, backing him up to make it 3rd and 42. Raiola ultimately couldn't overcome the massive setback and Nebraska picked up its first loss of the season.

Besides a sloppy showing in overtime, it was an impressive performance from the true freshman Raiola, who had 284 passing yards with three touchdowns. Still, fans were disappointed about the poor effort in overtime.

Being a Nebraska fan is torture.

— HuskGuys (@HuskGuys) September 21, 2024

how does this happen to Nebraska every single time

— Lucy Rohden (@lucy_rohden) September 21, 2024

Nebraska now has a 27 game losing streak against ranked opponents.

— College Football Report (@CFBRep) September 21, 2024

Nebraska’s offensive line trying to stop the Illinois pass rushers and protect Dylan Raiola in OT. pic.twitter.com/Tk2pSLZhAR

— Austin (@AustinPlanet) September 21, 2024

In it's last 8 overtimes, Nebraska's offense has combined for:

27 plays
-20 yards
4 INT
0 First Downs
0 Points

— Eric (@stewmanji) September 21, 2024

Generational sell job by Nebraska’s offensive line in OT lmaooooo

— AC, Esq. (@a_coleman25) September 21, 2024

Nebraska's offensive line during overtime: pic.twitter.com/dXVRap48yi

— Speakeasy Sports (@speaksportshq) September 21, 2024

https://twitter.com/mistahswags/status/1837335980937809987

Altmyer is off to the best start of his career after three years of mediocrity, and the hot start continued on Friday. He had 204 passing yards with four touchdowns, completing 21 of his 27 passes as he led the Illini to the big win in overtime.

While Raiola was the storyline coming into the game, Altmyer showed fans that he's looking to end his career with a bang.

Like a hot knife through butter for Illinois. My goodness, that was easy. Luke Altmyer: 21/27 with 4 touchdowns and no interceptions.

— John Fanta (@John_Fanta) September 21, 2024

I know we’re hyped about Raiola, but this Illinois QB Luke Altmyer is 21/27 👀

— Tiffanee With Two E’s (@tiffanee_dawn) September 21, 2024

Luke Altmyer is great, his development has been fun to watch this year

— 🤠 (@BallKnowledg) September 21, 2024

Luke Altmyer just threw his 4th TD tonight

— Steven Willis (@TheStevenWillis) September 21, 2024

Yo Luke Altmyer is kinda sick

— kevin harrish (@Kevinish) September 21, 2024

This Illinois vs Nebraska game is fascinating.

Dylan Raiola has absolutely lived up to the hype. Luke Altmeyer is playing better than he ever did at Ole Miss.

— Isaac Mei (@Ike_Mei) September 21, 2024

What a GREAT win by Illinois. Luke Altmyer is a dude. The sport of college football is better when Bret Bielema is back and booyyyyyy is he back

— Ryan Hickey (@Ryan_Hickey3) September 21, 2024

Illinois improved to 4-0 with the win, picking up its first Big Ten win and second ranked win of the season. The Fighting Illini will have another huge test next week as they take on Penn State.

The Huskers drop to 3-1 on the year but still have plenty of games to make up for the loss. Nebraska will continue Big Ten play next week with a matchup with Purdue.

Illinois is going to turn back the clock when it takes on Michigan during the upcoming college football season.

The Big Ten program revealed it will wear 1920s-themed throwback uniforms against the Wolverines on Oct. 19 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the game when Red Grange scored six touchdowns against the powerhouse program:

From individually hand-painted helmets to the top uniform technology in the world, our players will honor 100 years of tradition while being equipped with the best in football on Oct. 19.#Illini // #HTTO // #famILLy pic.twitter.com/XM9yfKndbh

— Illinois Football (@IlliniFootball) August 8, 2024

Illinois will wear these sweet throwback uniforms vs. Michigan Oct. 19. The Illini will don 1920s-themed uniforms to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Red Grange’s 6-TD game vs. UM pic.twitter.com/XTkQhjpeLk

— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) August 8, 2024

The helmets will be individually hand painted and made to look like the old leather ones the Fighting Illini previously wore.

"The end product came out just as good, if not better, than what we envisioned," director of football equipment operations Jake Rosch said. "I think the helmets, coupled with the uniform, are a really classic look. I think they will impress a lot of people with the way everything turned out."

Illinois' uniforms for the high-profile showdown against the reigning national champions will be part of the Memorial Stadium 100th Anniversary season.

"So iconic as far as the history of football."

Individually hand-painted, each helmet being worn in the Memorial Stadium Rededication Game went through an intricate process to be ready for game day on October 19th. #Illini // #HTTO // #famILLy pic.twitter.com/CxaZlPR449

— Illinois Football (@IlliniFootball) August 7, 2024

The Fighting Illini would surely like to replicate some of that previous success, as they went 8-0 in 1923, 6-1-1 in 1924, 7-0-1 in 1927 and 7-1 in 1928. Grange was a driving force behind some of that success as a three-time All-American in the 1920s who was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1951.

By comparison, Illinois has just five winning seasons since the turn of the century in 2000.

If the program is going to rediscover some of that previous success, it will need to perform well in marquee games like the one against the Wolverines.

Illinois also plays Penn State and Oregon during the upcoming campaign.

HEIGHT: 6'4⅞"

WEIGHT: 271

HAND: 10½"

ARM: 32⅞"

WINGSPAN: 79½"

---

40-YARD DASH: 4.64

3-CONE: 7.02

SHUTTLE: 4.26

VERTICAL: 33.5"

BROAD: 121"

---

POSITIVES

— Rare size for the position.

— Explosive athlete. Big, powerful mover who covers more ground than his frame would suggest.

— Above-average coordination and mobility. Fairly graceful athlete.

— Good, strong blocking tight end. Shows consistent technique and effort with power to finish blocks.

— Tons of experience as an in-line Y tight end.

---

NEGATIVES

— Moves well for his size, but isn't a legit speed threat from the TE position.

— Not as much of a vertical ball-winner as his size suggests.

— Very limited experience and production as a receiver. Partly a product of Illinois' offense, but makes the projection difficult nonetheless.

---

2023 STATISTICS

— 12 G, 19 REC, 203 YDS (10.7 AVG), 3 TD

---

NOTES

— Born Sep. 17, 2001

— Unrated LB recruit in the 2020 class, per 247Sports

— 28 career starts

— Attended 2024 Shrine Bowl

---

OVERALL

Tip Reiman is an unproven pass-catcher with rare size and athletic ability.

Reiman is a hulking presence at 6'5" and 271 pounds, but he carries that weight exceptionally well. He is a strong, powerful mover who can run clear of defenders in the short to intermediate area. Reiman regularly buys himself space on flat routes and underneath crossers.

Reiman is also a fairly coordinated mover. On some sharper routes, such as stick routes and in-breakers, he is not nearly as clunky as his size would suggest.

Reiman is a strong, experienced blocker as well. Illinois regularly deployed him as an in-line tight end at the point of attack. Reiman acquitted himself well in those moments, showing the movement skills, strength and technique to execute all kinds of blocks.

However, Reiman is unproven and somewhat limited as a receiver right now. For as well as Reiman moves at his size, he doesn't have legit field-stretching speed. Reiman also lacks some of the foot quickness and agility to suddenly uncover himself from defenders.

Reiman isn't the ball-winner his frame would suggest, either. He is a big, solid target over the middle when his feet are planted, but he does not yet show the quickness or in-air ability to go up and win the ball consistently.

At this stage, Reiman is just an idea, but an exciting idea at that. Tight ends with Reiman's size, athletic profile and blocking chops are tough to find. Reiman will just need time and a clear plan in order to develop into a worthwhile receiving product. Reiman fits best in a run-first offense that wants to put two tight ends on the field.

---

GRADE: 6.2 (High-Level Developmental Prospect — 5th Round)

OVERALL RANK: 151

POSITION RANK: TE9

PRO COMPARISON: Brock Wright

---

Written by B/R NFL Scout Derrik Klassen

Visit B/R's NFL Scouting Department hub for scouting reports on all of the top prospects.

HEIGHT: 6'3"

WEIGHT: 296

HAND: 9 3/4"

ARM: 32 1/2"

WINGSPAN: 80 3/4"

---

40-YARD DASH:

3-CONE:

SHUTTLE:

VERTICAL:

BROAD:

---

POSITIVES

— Good size and frame for an interior defender and appears to have long arms.

— Quick to get his hands up against the run and has the strength to get extension versus offensive linemen.

— Solid at plugging up his gap against guards and is hard to move with one-on-one blocks.

— When taking on blocks from the side, he has the strength to fight back against pressure to avoid getting washed inside.

— As a pass-rusher, can catch offensive linemen leaning with an arm-over move.

---

NEGATIVES

— Not quick-twitched or a good athlete for the position, limiting his pass-rush arsenal.

— Slow and laborious off the ball, limiting his penetration and ability to collapse the pocket when bull-rushing. Also has poor pad level.

— Lack of agility and initial quickness will result in him getting cut off on the back side of zone runs.

— Has a habit of narrowing his base and standing up out of his stance, which can cause him issues when taking on double-teams or combo blocks.

---

2023 STATISTICS

— 10 G, 49 TOT, 1.5 SK, 4.0 TFL, 1 PD

---

NOTES

— Born Sept. 1, 2001

— 3-star recruit in the 2019 class, per 247Sports

— Injuries: 2021 (Knee, missed 2 games), 2023 (Ankle, missed 2 games)

---

OVERALL

Keith Randolph Jr. is a solid run defender who can plug up his gap. He has impressive upper-body strength to lock out offensive linemen, and he appears to have long arms to maximize the amount of extension he gets on blocks.

He also has decent block recognition to redirect his eyes and hands against down blocks. Combined with his strength, that helps him fight back against pressure and avoid getting washed inside.

However, Randolph blends in more than he stands out. He doesn't make a ton of impact plays, as he went from 13 tackles for loss in 2022 to only four this past season. That's partially due to a lack of agility to make tackles outside of his gap. He's more of a space-eater than someone who is going to wreak havoc in the backfield.

As a pass-rusher, the Illinois product is limited due to a poor get-off that reduces the effectiveness of his bull rush and subpar movement skills. He has a decent arm-over move that allows him to take advantage of offensive linemen who have bad technique, but he lacks a go-to move that he'll be able to win with in the NFL. Illinois often took him out of the game in passing situations.

Overall, Randolph would be a good fit as a 4i- to 5-technique in odd fronts for a team that is looking for depth on its defensive line and a run-stuffer.

---

GRADE: 5.8 (Backup/Draftable — 6th-7th Round)

OVERALL RANK: 191

POSITION RANK: DL20

PRO COMPARISON: Ta'Quon Graham

---

Written by B/R NFL Scout Matt Holder

Visit B/R's NFL Scouting Department hub for scouting reports on all of the top prospects.