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UTSA wide receiver Zakhari Franklin has been named to the Biletnikoff Award Preseason Watch List, the Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation announced on Thursday. Franklin is one of 51 FBS players - including one of three from Conference USA - on the preseason watch list for the Biletnikoff Award, which annually recognizes the college football season's outstanding FBS receiver. Any player, regardless of position (wide receiver, tight end, slot back and running back) who catches a pass is eligible for the award.

Franklin enjoyed a record-setting sophomore season that resulted in honorable mention all-conference accolades in 2020. Despite missing two contests, the Cedar Hill High School product broke UTSA's single-season receiving records with 694 yards and 69.4 yards per game on 49 receptions, and he caught seven touchdown passes, the second-most in a season in program history. Franklin logged four 100-yard receiving games - also a UTSA record - and he set a single-game mark with 12 receptions against Army, totaling 138 yards and two touchdowns. - Texas-San Antonio Football

(DS#84 WR) rSr/2025

WR Zakhari Franklin, Illinois
News Source: Texas-San Antonio Football
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07/25/21 - Chase Brown, Sr/2023, Illinois, 5-10, 209 (DS#10 RB) + More +

For the second time in three days, an Illinois football player was named to a preseason award watch list. This time it's redshirt junior running back Chase Brown, who on Wednesday cracked the Doak Walker Award watch list. The honor is bestowed upon college football's top running back each season. This follows Monday's news of super-senior linebacker Jake Hansen being named to the Bednarik Award watch list for the nation's top defensive player. This is Brown's first preseason award watch list. He paced the Illini last season with 104 carries for 540 yards and three touchdowns on the ground, adding seven receptions for 64 yards. - News Gazette Tribune

(DS#10 RB) Sr/2023

RB Chase Brown, Illinois
News Source: News Gazette Tribune
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07/21/21 - Tommy DeVito, rSr/2023, Illinois, 6-1, 210 (DS#18 QB) + More +

Syracuse coach Dino Babers said Tommy DeVito's experience and knowledge of the offense gives him an edge over Garrett Shrader heading into fall practice next month. The two quarterbacks will compete for the starting job ahead of SU's season opener at Ohio on Sept. 4. Syracuse is scheduled to open training camp Aug. 6. "I think if you're talking about who knows the offense better, it's definitely DeVito," Babers told syracuse.com. "I think what we need to do is be fair and continue to let those guys grow. They both have a set of tools that's unique to each one, and then there's a combination where they both can do the exact same thing. "We're going to have to see how it settles, but I would say he has an advantage because he's been here longer." Who Babers selects as his starting quarterback will be a defining storyline in the head coach's sixth season. DeVito, who has started 15 games over the past two seasons, showcased his arm and accuracy behind an offensive line that finally gave him some protection this spring. No school has allowed more sacks than Syracuse over the last two seasons. - The Post-Standard

(DS#18 QB) rSr/2023

QB Tommy DeVito, Illinois
News Source: The Post-Standard
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07/16/21 - Alec Bryant, rSr/2026, Illinois, 6-2, 251 (DS#239 DE) + More +

A transfer name to watch - Alec Bryant from Virginia Tech. Bryant is an edge rusher and was part of Tech's 2020 recruiting class. Bryant, who is from Houston, would add depth to the program's Leo position, which is currently held by DaMarcus Mitchell. Bryant's brother, Alfred, was coached by current Purdue defensive line coach Mark Hagen at Indiana. Alec Bryant entered the portal earlier this week. - Journal and Courier

(DS#239 DE) rSr/2026

DE Alec Bryant, Illinois
News Source: Journal and Courier
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07/13/21 - Alec Bryant, rSr/2026, Illinois, 6-2, 251 (DS#239 DE) + More +

Virginia Tech defensive ends Alec Bryant and Robert Wooten have entered the transfer portal. They were the two highest rated signees out of Tech's 2020 recruiting class and garnered attention for being the first recruits out of high school from Texas to sign with Tech going back to at least 1982. Bryant was a four-star signee out of Shadow Creek High School in Pearland, Texas, and the No. 329 ranked player in the class while Wooten was a Stafford High School alum that was a three-star prospect and ranked No. 595 overall (according to 247 Sports composite rankings). Both players had more than 20 scholarship offers each. Tech signed two other defensive ends in 2020, but Justin Beadles signed with Houston after entering the transfer portal this spring and Derrell Bailey moved over to the offensive line before spring camp started. - Roanoke Times

(DS#239 DE) rSr/2026

DE Alec Bryant, Illinois
News Source: Roanoke Times
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06/29/21 - Tommy DeVito, rSr/2023, Illinois, 6-1, 210 (DS#18 QB) + More +

Syracuse will return to practice in about a month, when a quarterback competition Dino Babers said could rub up against the Sept. 4 season opener at Ohio will start to take shape. Returning starter Tommy DeVito is vying to hold off Garrett Shrader, the transfer from Mississippi State who spent most of the spring semester catching up on the language of the Orange offense. It's a season-defining decision in a year in which Babers is facing pressure to win. There's rarely been such ambiguity at quarterback heading into a season under Babers. It last happened with Eric Dungey and DeVito back in 2018, when Babers let the question hang in the air deep into August, despite Dungey having three seasons of starting experience. This summer has a similar feeling. DeVito is now the fourth-year player who has started games in multiple seasons and is coming off a year cut short by injury. Shrader is trying to close ground on the incumbent.

DeVito showcased his arm and accuracy behind an offensive line that finally gave him some protection. Babers sized up his quarterback room during an in-house interview for season-ticket holders last month with radio voice Matt Park. The interview was recently made available to the public. It's a rare window into the head coach's appraisal on his quarterbacks. The team closed all practices in the spring and did not hold a spring game for fans. "I think that Garrett had a spring where he's got to learn the offense and he's got to get better at things," Babers said, "but he's gobbling that up daily and getting better and better, and his legs are something to be reckoned with. "Tommy had a really, really good spring throwing the football. Those guys at practice can see what he can do when he has time and his feet are quiet." - The Post-Standard

(DS#18 QB) rSr/2023

QB Tommy DeVito, Illinois
News Source: The Post-Standard
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05/19/21 - Artur Sitkowski, rSr/2024, Illinois, 6-4, 225 (DS#999 QB) + More +

Art Sitkowski's college football voyage has primarily been navigating through choppy waters. Beginning June 1, he will join his new Illini football teammates for summer workouts and a much-anticipated fresh start and smoother ride. "It's definitely a fresh start," Sitkowski said. "I'm really excited for the opportunity presented to me, the people in the building at Illinois and the opportunity to compete. That's all I can ask for." A four-star prospect rated the No. 9 pro-style quarterback in the 2018 recruiting class out of IMG Academy in Florida, Sitkowski had many offers from which to choose.

In the fall of his senior season, he flipped his pledge from Miami to his home state school, Rutgers. He enrolled at mid-year so he could get assimilated and participate in spring drills. What lay ahead could easily have proven to be too daunting for anyone with less fortitude, self-confidence and competitiveness. Sitkowski was like most true freshmen football players asked to perform on a big stage at only 18 years old. Freshmen simply don't know what they don't know. "Words can't describe what that first year was like," Sitkowski said. "I didn't know what to expect overall, what to expect for a Big Ten game, how to go about preparing. Just the whole thing." - News Gazette Tribune

(DS#999 QB) rSr/2024

QB Artur Sitkowski, Illinois
News Source: News Gazette Tribune
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05/09/21 - Brandon Peters, rSr/2022, Illinois, 6-5, 228 (DS#15 QB) + More +

Illinois will add a quarterback to that room (Rutgers transfer Artur Sitkowski) and lose a quarterback in that room (Isaiah Williams moving to receiver) this summer. Making it clear Brandon Peters is the guy for Illinois heading into the 2021 season. Not much different than it was prior to the 2019 or 2020 seasons, with the Michigan transfer acting as QB1 for the Illini when he's healthy. Sitkowski will likely enter training camp as the backup to Peters, but the 6-foot-5, 224-pound native of Old Bridge, N.J., should bring the same drop-back ability the 6-5, 220-pound Peters does, along with a solid arm.

Both quarterbacks who started their careers elsewhere in the Big Ten before arriving in Champaign, however, will need to improve their accuracy. Sitkowski struggled mightily as a true freshman in 2018, throwing 18 interceptions (including three against the Illini in a 38-17 win by Illinois in 2018 out in New Jersey) compared to only four touchdowns for the worst team in the Big Ten that season. Peters hasn't had quite the interception problems Sitkowski has had in his career - a respectable 25 touchdowns and 11 interceptions during his stints at Michigan and Illinois. But he only completed 49 percent of his passes last fall, a dip after he completed 55 percent of his passes in 2019. - News Gazette Tribune

(DS#15 QB) rSr/2022

QB Brandon Peters, Illinois
News Source: News Gazette Tribune
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05/07/21 - Isaiah Williams, rJr/2024, Illinois, 5-09, 182 (DS#34 WR) + More +

Isaiah Williams came to Illinois with the idea of playing quarterback. At a high level. He could have gone to any Power Five school to play wide receiver or defensive back. They all wanted the superstar athlete from St. Louis Trinity Catholic. But only Illinois said, "You can play quarterback." Former Illinois coach Lovie Smith promised Williams a shot to run his offense. And followed through by giving him starts during the 2020 season. The old staff hoped Williams could be a program-changer at the quarterback position. Williams showed his ability as a runner, gaining 389 yards in six games. It was the ninth-most rushing yards in a season by an Illinois quarterback.

But the passing part of the game is much trickier. Williams completed just 41 percent of his attempts. He wasn't the first Illinois quarterback to struggle with accuracy early in his career. Kurt Kittner hit 44 percent and Juice Williams 40 percent as rookies. Kittner and Juice Williams were the long-term answers at the position, becoming two of the best in school history. One difference between then and now, Kittner and Juice Williams didn't have a capable veteran like Brandon Peters in front of them. And they didn't have the ability to excel at another position. For Isaiah Williams, it is time to go to Plan R: Receiver. - News Gazette Tribune

(DS#34 WR) rJr/2024

WR Isaiah Williams, Illinois
News Source: News Gazette Tribune
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05/04/21 - Josh Imatorbhebhe, rSr/2021, Illinois, 6-1, 218 (DS#49 WR) + More +

Even though Illinois receiver Josh Imatorbhebhe and linebacker Milo Eifler weren't selected in the 2021 NFL Draft, they still managed to find professional homes Saturday. Imatorbhebhe signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Eifler with the New York Jets shortly after the three-day draft's conclusion. The now-former Illini joined guard Kendrick Green (drafted in the third round by the Pittsburgh Steelers) and cornerback Nate Hobbs (drafted in the fifth round by the Las Vegas Raiders) in cracking the NFL ranks this week. Imatorbhebhe started 18 games across two seasons at Illinois, hauling in 12 receiving touchdowns along the way. - News Gazette Tribune

(DS#49 WR) rSr/2021

WR Josh Imatorbhebhe, Illinois
News Source: News Gazette Tribune
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05/04/21 - Luke Ford, rSr/2023, Illinois, 6-6, 268 (DS#43 TE) + More +

Noah Ford couldn't make it out to see his brother Luke perform well during the Illinois spring game on April 19. Noah had a good excuse: He is in the U.S. Navy. "From what I hear, he's losing weight," Ford said. "Good for him." Noah has been in for six weeks. He is based in Rhode Island. "I'm proud of him," Luke Ford said. "I won't see him for a little bit. "I wish him the best. He might look like a different person when he gets back. Who knows." Ford's parents, Lisa and Tim, were in the stands at Memorial Stadium, watching Luke catch five passes for 88 yards, including a 16-yard one-handed touchdown grab from Isaiah Williams. "It was really awesome to have my family there and have other people in the stands, as well," Ford said.

We all knew Luke Ford could talk. The tight end entertains reporters with his wit and personality during every press conference. He started his latest Zoom call wearing a cowboy hat, but quickly switched to an Illini baseball cap. "I think it's more professional," Ford said. He performed like a pro in the spring game. After his efforts in the scrimmage, we understand what all the on-field fuss was about. Fans and the media weren't allowed to watch much of the rest of spring ball. But from the limited sample we saw, it seems obvious Tony Petersen's offense is tight-end friendly. "It's awesome to be a part of this new offense," Ford said. "My first year at Georgia, I caught one ball. My second year playing football, I caught two. If I really continue on that record, I have the potential to get four catches this year." - News Gazette Tribune

(DS#43 TE) rSr/2023

TE Luke Ford, Illinois
News Source: News Gazette Tribune
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05/04/21 - Nate Hobbs, Sr/2021, Illinois, 5-11, 196 (DS#45 CB) + More +

Nate Hobbs is the second Illinois football player to be selected in the 2021 NFL Draft, with the cornerback picked Saturday by the Las Vegas Raiders. Hobbs was drafted in the fifth round at No. 167 overall. His selection follows Illini guard Kendrick Green being taken by the Pittsburgh Steelers on Friday night in the third round. The 6-foot, 195-pound Hobbs spent four seasons at Illinois and made 35 starts at cornerback. Hobbs amassed 31 tackles, two tackles for loss and an interception as a senior in 2020. Hobbs concluded his Illini career with 168 tackles, 12 1/2 tackles for loss, one sack, three interceptions and 18 pass deflections. - News Gazette Tribune

(DS#45 CB) Sr/2021

CB Nate Hobbs, Illinois
News Source: News Gazette Tribune
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04/30/21 - Artur Sitkowski, rSr/2024, Illinois, 6-4, 225 (DS#999 QB) + More +

Illinois football's quarterback room became a bit more full Wednesday when Artur Sitkowski announced his intention to transfer from Rutgers to the Illini. The 6-foot-5, 224-pound athlete has spent the last three college football seasons with the Scarlet Knights. After making 11 starts as a freshman in 2018, he made just four starts over the next two seasons while appearing in seven games during that same stretch. Sitkowski went 52 of 81 for 444 yards and three touchdowns passing during the 2020 campaign, losing repetitions to senior Nebraska transfer Noah Vedral and junior Boston College transfer Johnny Langan.

Sitkowski caps his Rutgers career having completed 230 of 422 passes for 2,031 yards and eight touchdowns. His freshman-year passing stat line was 134 of 273 for 1,158 yards and four scores. Sitkowski was recruited as a pro-style quarterback and gained three-star status by Rivals, racking up a laundry list of FBS offers that included Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio State, Rutgers and Wisconsin. - News Gazette Tribune

(DS#999 QB) rSr/2024

QB Artur Sitkowski, Illinois
News Source: News Gazette Tribune
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04/30/21 - Artur Sitkowski, rSr/2024, Illinois, 6-4, 225 (DS#999 QB) + More +

Sitkowski's time at Rutgers was a wild ride. The heralded recruit started 11 games during a disastrous freshman season in 2018 where he threw a nation-leading 18 interceptions. He lost the starting job to transfer McLane Carter in 2019, then appeared in three games (two starts) before opting to redshirt following former coach Chris Ash's firing. Sitkowski briefly entered the transfer portal at the end of that season, but withdrew his name after Schiano's re-hire.

He then lost a preseason battle to transfer Noah Vedral last fall, but ended up coming off the bench to help lead the Scarlet Knights to two of their three wins, starting a pair of games. Sitkowski entered the transfer portal because he "just felt like he needed a different opportunity," Schiano said. "I had several conversations with Art. I'm very close with Art," he added. "We talked through it, and I just hope he finds what he's looking for, because he's a great young man. We'll miss him, but I'm excited about our quarterback room and where we are. I'm just kind of looking forward to it now." - Star Ledger

(DS#999 QB) rSr/2024

QB Artur Sitkowski, Illinois
News Source: Star Ledger
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04/22/21 - Brandon Peters, rSr/2022, Illinois, 6-5, 228 (DS#15 QB) + More +

Working with the starters in Monday night's spring game, Peters picked apart the reserves. He threw the ball long and short. To a bunch of different targets. Hard, accurate passes. The kind that put smiles on the coaches' faces. Early in the workout on a chilly night at Memorial Stadium, Peters hit Donny Navarro for 44 yards. Later, he found Khmari Thompson for a 29-yard touchdown. Peters hit 8 of 11 in the first quarter for 182 yards and finished 12 of 18 for 291 yards during the two-hour scrimmage. Might want to save that yardage for the opener. This is Peters' first spring practice at Illinois. He joined the team too late to participate in 2019 and last year's workouts got scrapped because of COVID-19.

The current spring session is important for Peters, who is set to play a rare sixth year of college football. This will be his third season at Illinois, which is as much as time as he spent at Michigan. Might be time to stop referring to him as a former Wolverine. After a much-less-than-satisfying 2020 season, Peters has a chance to finish with a bang in Bielema's first campaign. Having Peters back is a great deal for Bielema and first-year offensive coordinator Tony Petersen. Peters is a steady hand who understands the commitment needed to play at a high level in the Big Ten. Two years ago, he was part of a bowl team. - News Gazette Tribune

(DS#15 QB) rSr/2022

QB Brandon Peters, Illinois
News Source: News Gazette Tribune
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