How state governments are using NIL to juice recruiting: 'Why wouldn’t we try to help?'
https://sports.yahoo.com/how-state-...ing-why-wouldnt-we-try-to-help-161656568.html

The reporting has been top notch. Great analysis and well written articles. I’m excited for the season…

The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award named Illinois wide receiver Casey Washington to its 2023 preseason watch list, the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce and SPORTylerannounced on Thursday.

The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award​

The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award is presented annually to the most outstanding offensive player in college football who was born in Texas, graduated from a Texas high school, or competed at a junior or four-year college in the state of Texas. It honors College and Pro Football Hall of Famer Earl Campbell, whose characteristics of community, integrity, performance, sportsmanship, teamwork, and tenacity are reflected in the winner of the award. The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award was created in 2012, and the recipient is voted on by broadcasters, commentators, journalists, previous winners, and fans.

• Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award website
• Last three winners: Max Duggan (TCU, 2022), Bailey Zappe (Western Kentucky, 2021), Kyle Trask (Florida, 2020)

Casey Washington | Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award​

• Hails from Round Rock, Texas, and graduated from Pflugerville High School in Texas
• 2022 Academic All-Big Ten
• Played in all 13 games with three starts at wide receiver in 2022
• 31 receptions for 306 yards in 2022
• One or more receptions in 12 of 13 games in 2022
• Fourth on the team in receptions (31) and receiving yards (306) in 2022
• Career-high seven receptions and tied career-high with 68 receiving yards against Mississippi State in the ReliaQuest Bowl on Jan. 2

Illini On Watch Lists (As of Aug. 17)​

• Isaiah Adams (Outland)
• Reggie Love III (Doak Walker)
• Josh McCray (Doak Walker)
• Jer'Zhan Newton (Bednarik, Lombardi,Nagurski, Walter Camp)
• Keith Randolph Jr. (Bednarik, Lombardi, Nagurski, Outland)
• Tip Reiman (Mackey)
• Casey Washington (Earl Campbell Tyler Rose)
• Isaiah Williams (Maxwell, Wuerffel)

Illinois men's basketball coach Brad Underwood spoke to the media on Friday to recap the team's overseas trip to Spain.

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Link to the front page story:

CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE, Colo. – University of Illinois golfers Jackson Buchanan and Piercen Hunt have punched their tickets through to match play at the 123rd U.S. Amateur, set to continue Wednesday with the Round of 64 at Cherry Hills Country Club.

The Illini duo not only made the cut down from 312 competitors to the top 64, but each posted a top-five score through 36 holes of stroke play on Monday and Tuesday. Buchanan closed stroke play in a three-way tie for first, just one shot ahead of Buchanan in a tie for fourth.

Buchanan played Round 1 at Cherry Hills and shot a 2-under 69 on Monday, before carding a 5-under 67 in Round 2 Tuesday at stroke-play co-host venue Colorado Golf Club. He finished in a tie with Blades Brown and Sampson Zheng at 136 (-7).

Hunt finished with a two-round score of 137 (-6). His week began Monday with a 71 (-1) at CGC, before a 5-under 66 at Cherry Hills on Tuesday.

It marks the second consecutive year that the Illini have produced two of the 64 competitors at the U.S. Amateur match play, after former Illini and current pros Adrien Dumont de Chassart and Tommy Kuhl each made the cut last year in Paramus, N.J.

Buchanan and Hunt now continue their pursuit of the prestigious Havemeyer Trophy in head-to-head, tournament-style matchups with rounds scheduled over the next five days, culminating in Sunday's 36-hole championship match.

Live television coverage is available Wednesday through Friday on Golf Channel and Peacock. Coverage of Saturday's semifinal and Sunday's championship can be found on Golf Channel and NBC.

Link to the front page story:

Rivals Rankings Week

Sunday: Who should be No. 1?

Monday: Five-Star Countdown

Tuesday: New Rivals250 revealed | Gorney's thoughts | Ten on the cusp of five-star status

Wednesday: Offensive position rankings

Thursday: Defensive position rankings

Friday: State rankings

Illinois was on the grass fields for practice the last two days at around 10:30 a.m. Media viewed periods 1-5 (approximately 30 minutes) which included warmups, individual position drills, and a few combo drills.

INURY UPDATE

Out today were WR Casey Washington, OL Zy Crisler, SAF Matthew Bailey, DL Sed McConnell (limited), TE Henry Boyer, TE Griffin Moore (limited), DL Dylan Davis, DB Tyson Rooks.

* OLB Jared Badie and RB Jordan Anderson are both back participating in practice.
* We should get an update on Washington and Crisler from Bret Bielema this afternoon. Crisler has missed the last two day. He's in a boot. Washington is a new injury.
* Bailey is still in a walking boot
* McConnell appears to be an upper body injury. He can run but not do contact drills
* Dylan Davis was running sprints on the side

OFFENSE NOTES

* With Crisler sidelined, the starters on the right side are RG Jordan Slaughter and RT Josh Gesky.
* Freshman Malik Elzy is a starter with Washington out. Hank Beatty gets equal reps as well.
* Quarteraback depth chart: QB 1 Luke Altmyer, QB2 John Paddock, QB3 Donovan Leary. There's still some competition for No. 2 but Paddock is winning that right now.
* Altmyer looked really sharp throwing the deep ball the last two days. Paddock's strength is throwing on the move. He has a quick release and good feet.
* RB depth chart: 1. Reggie Love or Josh McCray, 3. Jordan Anderson, 4. Aidan Laughery, 5. Kaden Feagin, 6. Nick Fedanzo (moved back to RB after playing LB).
* Transfer TE Tanner Arkin has had a good camp. It looks like he will get some playing time as the No. 2 TE behind Tip Rieman.

DEFENSE NOTES
'
* Starting corners continue to be Taz Nicholson and Tyler Strain. Strain has really stood out to me the last couple of days. Freshman Zachary Tobe is making a move and could be in the two deep.
* Safety is still a question mark with Bailey out. I think Demetrius Hill will start at FS with Clayton Bush pushing him. Converted Miles Scott could start at SS. Xavier Scott is the staring STAR/nickel. NIcarip Harper is in the mix. There could be some musical chairs to get the best five on the field, though.
* Denzel Daxon is getting more and more snaps as the No. 1 nose tackle. I think he'll be the game one starter, but it's not a done deal yet. He's a more natural NT than TeRah Edwards and more of a leverage player.
* Alec Bryant has solidified his spot as the No. 3 OLB behind Seth Coleman and Gabe Jacas.

SPECIAL TEAMS NOTES

* Isaiah Williams will return punts. Others in the PR depth chart are Hank Beatty, Miles Scott, Aidan Laugherty, and Shawn Miller
* Pat Bryant is the kick returner. KR depth chart includes Reggie Love, Tyler Stain, Josh McCray, and Aidan Laughery,
* Talking to Robbie Discher, it sounds like there is a real battle at PK between returning starter Caleb Griffin and freshman David Olano. I think experience wins out eventually, but Olan is very talented. The ball explodes of is his foot. Griffin is also do some punting now. I'm not sure they're sold on Hugh Robertson.

What are your questions?

I watched a big 10 Nettwerk special on George Taliaferro last night. I had recorded it earlier in the week. I have always heard of him, but I did not know his story. What an amazing athlete/person.

Indiana guy but it’s worth watching. One thing I learned was Quinn Buckner’s father played with him at Indiana. I am sure it’s one of the big reasons that Quinn Buckner wound up. Going to Indiana to play basketball for Bobby Knight.

Taliaferro was a black athlete who had a lot of issues at Indiana back in 1945 and beyond. It was a different era in college football, that’s for sure.

It’s cool, that he wound up working for Indiana University toward the end of his life

Illinois gets 3 votes. Kansas and Toledo both got more.

Link to the front page story:

Link to the front page story: https://illinois.rivals.com/news/illini-freshman-spotlight-linebackers

Link:

Looks like a 11 AM CT start on Peacock.

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Link to John's column.

The Lombardi Award named Illinois defensive linemen Jer'Zhan Newton and Keith Randolph Jr. to its 2023 preseason watch list, the Rotary Club of Houston announced on Tuesday.

The Lombardi Award​

The Lombardi Award is presented annually to the most outstanding lineman – offensive or defensive – in college football who "exemplifies the character and discipline of NFL Hall of Fame Head Coach Vince Lombardi in addition to outstanding performance and ability." It was established in 1970, and it is voted on by a 23-person award committee.

• Lombardi Award website
• Last three winners: Will Anderson Jr. (Alabama, 2022), Aidan Hutchinson (Michigan, 2021), Zaven Collins (Tulsa, 2020)

Notes​

• Illinois is one of 15 schools with multiple players included on the 80-man list (Alabama, Clemson, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Maryland, Michigan, Texas, Ohio State, Penn State, TCU, UCLA, USC, and Washington)
• Illinois is one of five Big Ten teams with multiple players listed (Maryland, Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State)

Jer'Zhan Newton | Lombardi Award​

• 2023 Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List
• 2023 Big Ten Preseason honors
• 2023 Athlon Preseason All-America first team
• 2023 Phil Steele Preseason All-America second team
• 2023 Athlon Preseason All-Big Ten first team
• 2023 Phil Steele Preseason All-Big Ten first team
• 2023 Pro Football Focus Preseason All-Big Ten first team
• No. 1 returning defensive tackle in the nation in 2023, according to PFF
• No. 11 ranked player in the Big Ten in 247Sports' 2023 preseason player rankings
• 2022 Walter Camp All-America second team
• 2022 AP All-America second team
• 2022 CBS All-America second team
• 2022 PFF All-America second team
• 2022 Phil Steele All-America third team
• 2022 All-Big Ten first team (coaches and media)
• 2022 Academic All-Big Ten
• 2022 Bednarik Award semifinalist
• Led the nation's No. 1 scoring defense in TFLs (14.0), sacks (5.5), quarterback hurries (11), and fumble recoveries (2) in 2022
• Tied for the national lead in quarterback hits (19) in 2022, according to PFF
• Led Power-5 interior defensive linemen in pressures (59), seven more than any Power-5 interior defensive lineman, and ranked seventh overall in the nation in 2022, according to PFF
• Only Big Ten defensive linemen to play 400+ snaps in 2022
• No. 26 player in the nation in 2022, according to PFF's College 101
• No. 9 graded defender in the nation and No. 4 in Power-5 (91.5) in 2022, according to PFF
• No. 4 defensive grade among Power-5 interior defensive linemen and No. 1 in the Big Ten in 2022, according to PFF
• No. 2 run defense grade among Power-5 interior defensive linemen and No. 1 in the Big Ten in 2022, according to PFF
• No. 5 pass rush grade among Power-5 interior defensive linemen and No. 1 in the Big Ten in 2022, according to PFF
• Started all 13 games at defensive tackle in 2022
• 62 tackles, 14.0 TFLs, 5.5 sacks, three pass breakups, 11 quarterback hurries, and two fumble recoveries in 2022
• Ninth in the Big Ten in sacks per game (0.42) in 2022
• PFF Midseason All-American first team in 2022
• The Athletic Midseason All-American second team in 2022
• Rotary Lombardi Award Watch List in 2022

Keith Randolph Jr. | Lombardi Award​

• 2023 Athlon Preseason All-America third team
• 2023 Phil Steele Preseason All-America fourth team
• 2023 Athlon Preseason All-Big Ten first team
• 2023 Phil Steele Preseason All-Big Ten first team
• No. 24 ranked player in the Big Ten in 247's 2023 preseason player rankings
• 2022 All-Big Ten third team (coaches and media)
• 2022 PFF All-Big Ten first team
• Illinois' 2022 Howard Griffith Impact Player Award winner
• Played in all 13 games with 12 starts at defensive tackle in 2022
• 53 tackles, 13.0 TFLs, 4.5 sacks, one interception, one pass breakup, five quarterback hurries, and one blocked kick in 2022
• No. 8 tackling grade in the nation among interior defensive linemen (76.7) in 2022, according to PFF
• Fifth on the team in tackles (53) in 2022

Illini On Watch Lists (As of Aug. 15)​

• Isaiah Adams (Outland)
• Reggie Love III (Doak Walker)
• Josh McCray (Doak Walker)
• Jer'Zhan Newton (Bednarik, Lombardi, Nagurski, Walter Camp)
• Keith Randolph Jr. (Bednarik, Lombardi, Nagurski, Outland)
• Tip Reiman (Mackey)
• Isaiah Williams (Maxwell, Wuerffel)

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Recruiting is really quiet with the team overseas, so I thought I'd update info on a few kids.

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Right now, I see it as Illinois or LSU for Mikey Lewis. The visit will be huge. Illinois has a real chance to jump ahead when they get him on campus. That developed pretty quickly. I think Illinois was playing catchup until recently. Kansas is listed, but I don't think they have prioritized him. Illinois visit is September 16, then LSU the next weekend.

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Jase Butler listed Illinois in his top 6. He's a plan B/C for the Illini. Things could pick up if they miss on Lewis, but I think they would want to see Butler play his senior year then decide if they want to offer. The portal could be a better option at that point. I like Butler's film, though. Definitely a kid to watch.

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Illinois offered Texas forward Josiah Mosely. I don't think that has progressed to the point where they would take him yet, but it could get there if he continues to develop more of a perimeter game. He's made huge strides. He was previously thought of as an undersized power forward, but has really improved his ball skills. He's not a 3-point threat yet, but he's a really good mid-range scorer and offensive rebounder. They will track him during the high school season.

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It was mildly surprising to see Illinois land in the top 10 for Jared Harris. Kansas seems like the pick to me. He'll visit KU Sept 1.

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St. Johns still looking strong for Jaiden Glover. Illinois is still talking to him about visiting, but nothing locked in.

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Illinois is a legit early contender for 2025 wing Chuck Love. We may move him up on the Block I Report if we continue to get good vibes after following up with him. Mizzou and Kansas State are two others high on his list so far. Love is transferring to Indiana prep school La Lumiere.

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2025 Jeremiah Fears has a commitment date set. In Illinois favor is that Jeremiah (and his dad) think he's a great fit at Illinois. He loves all the ball screens. I think the transfer to Compass Prep hurts Illinois some, though. He's a national recruit now, and I don't think he'll necessarily feel deep ties to the Midwest.

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