*Letters we get letters…
-Fact check….Earlier in the winter Illini sports information released a list of six football players invited to this year’s NFL combine in Indianapolis….’six participants are the most in program history’…..well former Illini players informed that was ‘bullshit’…..2024 claim wasn’t ‘most in program history’ invited to the combine....they were correct.
1986 2nd year of NFL combine called the National Invitational Camp then....held at the New Orleans Superdome…nine Illini players participated including quarterback Jack Trudeau, running back Thomas Rooks, wide receiver David Williams, tight end Cap Boso, offensive lineman Jim Juriga, defensive tackle Guy Teafatiller, linebacker Bob Sebring and safety Craig Swoope….Mike White’s team had nine players selected in that draft…..League moved event to Indianapolis 1987….renamed NFL Combine been there ever since.
*It's beginning people...
-The usual 'media' hoop fanboys at it again....'other schools contacting Brad Underwood about jobs'....great....laying the foundation if Illini flame out in the NCAA tourney...'hey appreciate what a great job Underwood does, lucky to have him'....other ‘top’ programs want 'our' head coach.....certain members of Underwood's staff do a great job of leaking to cover their ass....fans/fanboy 'media' rinse repeat same sad narrative every year it seems.
*Big shooters head to Texas...
-Recently in the Lone Star State....Athletic director Josh Whitman, head football coach Bret Bielema and several other athletic department officials met with boosters to talk Illini football/NIL opportunities...some of the 'big shooters' reportedly attending...
Amer Delic/Chris Martin-Two former Illini All-Americans/professional tennis players.
Nick Piazza Executive vice president Emerson Corporation-Illini receiver 1997-2000.....reliable source....Piazza and Whitman four-year college roommates....in each other's wedding...Piazza 'one of the handful of former players Whitman listens to' in regard to the football program.
B.J. Jenkins Tech entrepreneur Silicon Valley-80's era hoops walk-on....very generous with his gifts to the athletic department.
Ben Quattrone Champaign-Urbana auto dealer.
Jeff Tinervin Bloomington/Normal developer now living in Florida-Big golf booster....Mike Small's program opened their 2024 season playing an exhibition at Tinervin's Coral Creek (Fla.) Golf Club vs. the Illini alumni team.
Andrew/Patrick Hartman Hartman Capital-Construction/property development.
Mark Huss-member of Decatur's Demirjian family who have made anchor donations paving the way for athletic facility projects/upgrades.
Mark Steinberg sports agent-another former walk-on hoopster…..member of the 1989 Flyin' Illini Final Four team ....Tiger Woods his most prominent client/repped many former Illini golfers...He is Whitman’s right hand man when it comes to fund-raising road trips…..Bret Just Underwood's agent and Steinberg reportedly great buddies…why when you read some message board genius opinion about Underwood ‘looking around’….roll your eyes…..thru Just Illini AD/Steinberg know every school/booster who contacts him about their head coach…react accordingly.
All boosters above when they call….AD answers/call returned immediately if missed....He pays attention to them...do get a kick out of several 'boosters' who like others in CU thinking they are 'big shooters’ when....wanna-be's…always cracked me up…..those that paid close attention saw Bielema entertaining another ‘big shooter’ at last night’s basketball game…….rumor has the head coach looking towards the NFL for his final assistant hire.
*'What up dawg?'...
-Speaking of fund-raising....one of my favorite 'give us some money' pitches to a former Illini player involves Vontae Davis and then athletic director Mike Thomas.
When saying hello to Vontae many times he would answer....'What up Dawg?' couldn’t remember names so called everyone ‘Dawg’...Davis excellent football player when motivated but didn't always think things thru...once someone Saran Wrapped his car and he was calling others in a panic, 'how do I get this shit off?' finally told get a pair of scissors...what you were dealing with...anyway.
Vontae did what he wanted at Illinois...during practice would walk away from Ron Zook when head coach would try to correct the cornerback...Zook resorted to stepping on Davis' feet when he would come over to 'coach him up' only way to keep Vontae paying attention/one spot....1st round pick of the Dolphins did same in Miami what he wanted....traded to the Colts woke Vontae the fuck up and he became one of the best cover cornerbacks in the NFL.
Indianapolis signed Davis to a four-year, $39 million contract 2014 ....his then girlfriend now wife going to law school at Illinois...Vontae would come back to visit go to a game off week...then AD Thomas would always make sure Vontae would have to come to his office in the Bielfeldt building to pick up his tickets....when Davis shows up Thomas invites him into his office.
With the personality of a cold fish….Mike Thomas trying to get an IFund donation out of Davis wish I had video of that....after…Davis told his buddies in that high pitched Vontae voice, 'that guy (Thomas) I don't know….talking to him thought I was being Punk'ed...someone was coming in to tell me it's all a joke'...needless to say.…..Davis didn't contribute....next time he needed tickets his girlfriend picked them up.
*2025 football prospects locking in official visits...
-So far four 2025 football prospects have locked in official visits to Illinois....
Cameron Brooks defensive line Homewood-Flossmoor (Ill.) High School-Has offers from Illinois, Kansas State, several MAC schools....scheduled his Illini official visit June 7th....listed as a defensive end but with his lower body projects to strong side defensive end in a 3-4 scheme...reminds a little of Keith Randolph.....Bielema's program great shot at Brooks.
Andre Lovett athlete Blue Island (Ill.) Eisenhower High School-Can't think of the last Eisenhower player at Illinois....6-foot-2, 170-pounder can play safety or wide receiver....impressive list with Arizona State, Illinois, Iowa, Tennessee, Mizzou and Purdue all offering him early....locked in an April 13th official visit to Champaign....Illini excellent shot at landing Lovett.
Nick Marshall defensive end Oak Park (Ill.) Fenwick High School- Five-star prospect.....top-ranked player in the state....has a June 7th official visit scheduled to Illinois....Bielema's program a long-shot for Marshall.
R.J. Jones defensive back Vero Beach (Fla.) High School-Scheduled to visit Champaign June 21st….Has SEC/ACC/B1G offers….same high school as 2024 Illini defensive back recruit Amar Reynolds….6-foot-2, 170-pounder can play cornerback or free safety…..UofFlorida/UMiami reportedly have offered Jones….Gators football so screwed up now….doubt U going to go nuts with NIL to a three-star…maybe Illini can steal him out from under their noses?