Jeremy Werner
jwerner247.bsky.social
Jeremy Werner
@jwerner247.bsky.social
Father | Husband | Publisher, http://IlliniInquirer.com | Former radioman, now podcaster | Bluey stan
One month into the season, @ktausk13 breaks down three positives & three concerns for #illini hoops through a 6-2 start ⤵️
Tausk: Three positives, three concerns for Illini hoops after the first month
Illini Inquirer's Kyle Tausk breaks down three positives and three concerns with Illinois basketball after the first month of the regular season.
247sports.com
December 4, 2025 at 12:31 PM
#illini football Class of 2026 Signing Day Superlatives

🔸 Best gets
🔸 Best flips
🔸 Best fits
🔸 Biggest surprise
🔸 Bes evals
🔸 Patience needed
🔸 Toughest misses
🔸 Biggest need filled
🔸 Biggest need remaining

247sports.com/colleg...
December 4, 2025 at 11:57 AM
Signing Day film breakdown: #Illini coach Bret Bielema breaks down 2026 recruiting class

youtu.be/SCONTJr3P3g
December 3, 2025 at 9:57 PM
WATCH: #illini coach Bret Bielema discusses his 2026 recruiting class
Signing Day: Illini coach Bret Bielema press conference
Illinois coach Bret Bielema discusses his 2026 signing class
youtu.be
December 3, 2025 at 9:54 PM
#illini Bret Bielema: Isaiah Williams can play free safety or boundary safety
December 3, 2025 at 7:58 PM
#illini Bret Bielema: LB Cam Thomas will start as off-the-ball linebacker but has the ability to play on the ball on the edge
December 3, 2025 at 7:54 PM
#illini Bret Bielema: Jaylen Stewart could play edge or off-the-ball linebacker
December 3, 2025 at 7:50 PM
#illini Bret Bielema: Really sold WR Nas Rankin on staying home, like fellow Morgan Park alum Ayo Dosunmu
December 3, 2025 at 7:47 PM
#illini Bret Bielema: Kai Pritchard will begin at tackle "until he proves otherwise" but could play guard
December 3, 2025 at 7:46 PM
#illini Bret Bielema showed more clips of Nick Hankins than any prospect.

"We'll eventually use him in all three phases": defense, offense and as a returner.
December 3, 2025 at 7:41 PM
#illini Bret Bielema shows clips of Jack Gray, who is an ambidextrous punter. He can punt with both legs that gives the Illini a skill set they haven't had before.
December 3, 2025 at 7:39 PM
#illini Bret Bielema has mentioned twice that Nick Hankins and Jacob Eberhart will play defense but could play offense as well.
December 3, 2025 at 7:37 PM
SIGNING DAY SPOTLIGHT: #illini never gave up its pursuit of four-star OL Champ Smith and reeled in the big fish from Florida, who could play early

🔸 The backstory
🔸 Scouting report
🔸 Why Illinois
🔸 How he fits
🔸 Illini comp

READ: 247sports.com/colleg...
December 3, 2025 at 7:31 PM
COMMIT: #illini flip 4-star Florida OL Micah "Champ" Smith (@ChampSmith55) from UCLA on Signing Day, giving a big boost to a historic recruiting haul for the program

Why it matters & how he fits: 247sports.com/colleg...
December 3, 2025 at 7:24 PM
#illini Bret Bielema: Saw QB signee Michael Clayton during a summer camp at the indoor

"I was feeling good beforehand, I was feeling really good afterward."
December 3, 2025 at 7:21 PM
#illini Bret Bielema said he recruited an in-state player as hard as he's ever recruited a kid but tough to overcome 18 years of what he knew about Illinois football for most of his life.

(Think he's referring to the tight end from Dunlap)
December 3, 2025 at 7:19 PM
#illini Bret BIelema: Mostly recruited JUCO prospects during two off weeks. It was very intentional and hopefully it reaps rewards.
December 3, 2025 at 7:15 PM
#illini Bret Bielema said the difference this year is that for the first time Illinois is "in the same ballpark" money-wise with propsects. Not the top factor, but gives them a great chance when money is close.
December 3, 2025 at 7:13 PM
#illini Bret Bielema: In-state guys will always be the premium for us. We recruited everyone we wanted, and some of those guys might be the best players in the state. Then to go into St. Louis and getting a few players who can change the direction of our program.
December 3, 2025 at 7:10 PM
#illini Bret Bielema: We always start in-state here. It was different 4-5 years ago. We had to talk about how we could build and win hopefully. Now, they have tangible evidence of that.
December 3, 2025 at 7:08 PM
#illini Bret Bielema: We'll take a deep breath after today and then the portal will open up. I think with the one portal window, kids are feeling an urge to get in there earlier than ever.
December 3, 2025 at 7:08 PM
#illini Bret Bielema: Very excited today. This class has been assembled by the whole building. Special shoutout to the recruiting staff, personnel staff and GM Pat Embleton.
December 3, 2025 at 7:05 PM
OFFICIAL: 24 of the 29 #illini signees are enrolling in January.

The only five who are joining in June:

🔸 DL Tony Balanganayi
🔸 RB Javari Barnett
🔸 OLB Kayden Bennett
🔸 OLB Jaylen Stewart
🔸 OL Casey Thomann

December 3, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Catch up on all of our #illini Signing Day spotlights of the 29 signees (so far) here ⤵️
Signing Day Spotlights: Backstories, scouting reports, fits and Illini comps for Illini Class of 2026 signees
Illini Inquirer provides in-depth breakdowns of each of Illinois football's 2026 Signing Day additions
247sports.com
December 3, 2025 at 5:58 PM
SIGNING DAY SPOTLIGHT: #illini rarely go into Connecticut, but Kayden Bennett drew the eye of first-year OLBs coach Trent Harris

🔸 The backstory
🔸 Scouting report
🔸 Why Illinois
🔸 How he fits
🔸 Illini comp

READ: 247sports.com/colleg...
December 3, 2025 at 3:41 PM