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 Draft Scout College Football Player News: Illinois
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  06/22/20 - Roderick Perry II, rSr/2022, Illinois, 6-1, 304 (DS#54 DT) + More +

  Amid reports in many states of a resurgence in confirmed COVID-19 cases, including Georgia, the annual season-opening showcase is scheduled to be played at "Pete" Petit Field at Georgia State Stadium. Grant, the MEAC/SWAC Challenge executive director, told The News-Star that his event organizers believe they have a plan in place to be able to host Grambling State and South Carolina State on Sept. 6.

"No one knows how things are going to go going forward, but we're hosting football," Grant said. "We're making the call. As it stands today, we're hosting. Unless circumstances change, and no one know what that would be, but we're playing. "Both schools have said it's their full intention to be here. So it's our full intention to provide everything possible so people can have fun, come together responsibly and enjoy HBCU college football." Questions around the 2020 opener between Grambling and SCSU began to swirl last week as four HBCU games were canceled due to coronavirus concerns. - The News-Star

(DS#54 DT) rSr/2022 DT Roderick Perry II, Illinois
News Source: The News-Star
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  05/28/20 - Jake Hansen, rSr/2022, Illinois, 6-1, 239 (DS#14 ILB) + More +

  The Illinois football team can start returning to campus in less than a week. The first wave of athletes is scheduled to arrive June 3. While there was some initial excitement that a plan was in place to return a bit of normalcy to their summer, some of the Illini leaders are taking a measured approach to their eventual return. Jake Hansen's concerns don't lie with the uncertain nature of the coronavirus. The redshirt senior linebacker has more questions about what the voluntary workouts and training sessions will be with the team back on campus. "Am I going to be able to get the quality work in that I would be able to usually get during this time in the summer?" Hansen said. "If not, then I'd like to be at home where I could work out in my personal gym and do things where I know I'm going to be able to get the right amount of work and the quality of work I want to get in. If we are able to do that at Illinois, then by all means I'm going to be at Illinois as soon as possible. I think that's what it sounds like we're going to be able to do." Every student-athlete will be tested for COVID-19 upon their return to campus, quarantined alone for a brief period of time in a residence hall and tested again before they're allowed to return to their own campus residence and start working out. - News Gazette Tribune

(DS#14 ILB) rSr/2022 ILB Jake Hansen, Illinois
News Source: News Gazette Tribune
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  05/25/20 - Doug Kramer, rSr/2022, Illinois, 6-2, 299 (DS#9 C) + More +

  Even with Brandon Peters and Josh Imatorbhebhe, the unit won't run well without solid work from the offensive line. The guy that keeps it together is center Doug Kramer. Hurt late in the season, Kramer was missed in the bowl game. Kramer is crucial not only for his physical ability, but also his leadership. He was not a highly-touted recruit when he signed with Bill Cubit in early 2016, but he was on my first-team All-Big Ten ballot after 2019 and I suspect he will be again after this season. - The News-Gazette

(DS#9 C) rSr/2022 C Doug Kramer, Illinois
News Source: The News-Gazette
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  05/16/20 - Chinedu Udeogu, rSr/2022, Illinois, 6-3, 275 (DS#999 DE) + More +

  Chinedu Udeogu arrived at Cal for the 2016 season as a three-star defensive end before redshirting as a true freshman. Udeogu stuck at defensive end in 2017, but shifted to a hybrid defensive end/linebacker role in the Golden Bears' 3-4 defense in 2018. An injury in the second game of the 2019 season ultimately saw Udeogu return as a tight end, where he repped again this spring before practices were canceled in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, Udeogu is transferring to Illinois. As a defensive tackle. The 6-foot-4, 275-pound Inverness native, who played his high school ball at Georgetown Prep in North Bethesda, Md., announced his commitment to Illinois on Saturday.

"I'm truly grateful for the opportunity to be graduating from the University of California Berkeley with a (bachelor's) in Business Administration!" Udeogu wrote in a note posted to Twitter. "Along with the opportunity to represent Cal these last four years on the football field. After missing last season due to injury, I'm excited to announce that I'll be continuing my athletic and academic journey at the University of Illinois receiving a (master's) of science in economics." Udeogu had a role in Cal's defensive line rotation his first two seasons on the field. He appeared in all 25 games in 2017 and 2018 combined and finished with 19 tackles in those two seasons. He had one tackle in 2019 before his injury. - News Gazette Tribune

(DS#999 DE) rSr/2022 DE Chinedu Udeogu, Illinois
News Source: News Gazette Tribune
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  05/16/20 - Chinedu Udeogu, rSr/2022, Illinois, 6-3, 275 (DS#999 DE) + More +

  In a homecoming move, Cal redshirt senior Chinedu Udeogu has announced via Twitter that he will transfer to Illinois to complete his final year of football eligibility. Udeogu, who was born in Inverness, Illinois, will be a graduate student next fall, meaning the NCAA will allow him to play immediately as opposed to sitting out a year. At Cal, Udeogu spent most of his time at linebacker before being converted to a full-time tight end this spring. According to his Twitter post, though, he will be moving back to the other side of the ball as a defensive tackle with the Illini. In his career thus far, Udeogu appeared in 27 games for the Bears, compiling a total of 20 tackles. Off the field, he completed his bachelor's degree in business administration at UC Berkeley, and will work toward a Master of Science in economics at the University of Illinois. - Daily Californian

(DS#999 DE) rSr/2022 DE Chinedu Udeogu, Illinois
News Source: Daily Californian
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  05/12/20 - Chase Hayden, rSr/2023, Illinois, 5-11, 202 (DS#96 RB) + More +

  Three months to the day after announcing he was transferring from Arkansas, running back Chase Hayden has found a landing spot. Hayden, who played two full seasons at Arkansas and in four games last season to retain a redshirt, is headed to East Carolina. As a graduate transfer, he will be immediately eligible and have two years of eligibility remaining. Hayden rushed for 574 yards and four touchdowns on 117 carries in his Razorbacks career, including 249 yards and three touchdowns as a freshman in 2017 before his season was cut short after seven games with a broken leg. In his first career game, Hayden rushed for 120 yards and scored a touchdown on 14 carries against Florida A&M. He became the third Arkansas freshman to rush for more than 100 yards in his debut. - Northwest Arkansas Times

(DS#96 RB) rSr/2023 RB Chase Hayden, Illinois
News Source: Northwest Arkansas Times
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  04/28/20 - Oluwole Betiku Jr, Jr/2020, Illinois, 6-3, 249 (DS#24 OLB) + More +

  Oluwole Betiku Jr. went seven rounds without hearing his named called during last week's NFL draft. Then Saturday night and all of Sunday and Monday passed without the former Illinois defensive end landing as an undrafted free agent with one of the 32 NFL teams. Betiku got the chance he was looking for Tuesday when the New York Giants announced they had signed the 6-foot-3, 250-pound defensive end and nine other rookie free agents. Betiku is the first former Illini to sign following the 2020 draft. - News Gazette Tribune

(DS#24 OLB) Jr/2020 OLB Oluwole Betiku Jr, Illinois
News Source: News Gazette Tribune
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  04/22/20 - Blake Jeresaty, rSr/2022, Illinois, 6-1, 305 (DS#999 OG) + More +

  Blake Jeresaty believes in risks - in challenging himself to take a less comfortable path in the interest of personal growth. He could have returned to Wofford, an FCS school, for his redshirt senior season and continued to be not only one of the best centers in the Southern Conference, but all of the FCS - he was an All-American last season. He also could have fallen into a level of complacency without really testing his own boundaries as a football player. Jeresaty, a 6-foot-2, 290-pounder, knew he could play football at a high level, but was lightly recruited out of Bishop England High School in Charleston, S.C. because he was undersized. Wofford took a chance on him and he developed into a top-tier center. In a November game against Clemson - yes, that Clemson - the idea that he could play against anyone started to take root in his mind.

He didn't falter against a perennial national championship contender and held his own like he did in every other FCS game in which he played. But there's not time time to contemplate every play over the course of a season. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit and stopped athletics in their tracks, Jeresaty had time to let that game fester. Eventually, he elected to enter the transfer portal, where in the back of his mind he knew he wanted to play at a Power Five program, and those programs came calling. For seven days he remained uncommitted in the portal before pledging to join the Illinois football team as a graduate transfer with one year of eligibility remaining and eyes on an open right guard spot to fill out an experienced offensive line. He's the third graduate transfer of the offseason to verbally commit to Illinois. - Herald-Review Times

(DS#999 OG) rSr/2022 OG Blake Jeresaty, Illinois
News Source: Herald-Review Times
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  04/11/20 - Blake Jeresaty, rSr/2022, Illinois, 6-1, 305 (DS#999 OG) + More +

  Offensive line depth has been a persistent issued during Lovie Smith's tenure as Illinois football coach. The Illini partially addressed that by adding three prep linemen in their 2020 class. Saturday's commitment from Wofford transfer Blake Jeresaty will also more immediate help to Illinois' depth up front as a graduate transfer. The Charleston, S.C., native started the last two seasons for the Terriers, an FCS program, and earned All-American honors in 2019.

Jeresaty played in 35 total games in three seasons at Wofford after redshirting as a true freshman in 2016. The 6-foot-2, 290-pound lineman made all 28 of his career starts at center. Jeresaty is the second transfer addition this week after Illinois also received a commitment from New Mexico State wide receiver Desmond Dan Jr. on Thursday. The Illini added another graduate transfer in early March in Wisconsin linebacker Christian Bell, who will likely shift to defensive end for Smith. - News Gazette Tribune

(DS#999 OG) rSr/2022 OG Blake Jeresaty, Illinois
News Source: News Gazette Tribune
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  03/28/20 - Artur Sitkowski, rSr/2024, Illinois, 6-4, 225 (DS#999 QB) + More +

  The quarterback position hasn't been one of stability in recent seasons for Rutgers, and it remains a question mark heading into the 2020 season. The cancellation of spring practice and the Scarlet-White game because of the coronavirus pandemic doesn't help to provide much clarity.So there's again going to be some intrigue in training camp, whenever it begins, as Greg Schiano and his coaching staff decide who they want to hand the reins of the offense to. Sitkowski entered the NCAA transfer portal, appeared prepared to leave Rutgers, and then a major development unfolded: Greg Schiano returned and Sitkowski removed his name from the portal.Now he'll enter training camp as a frontrunner for Rutgers' quarterback competition.

It was a turbulent few months for Sitkowski, who threw for 429 yards and one touchdown in three games last season. Sitkowski requested to voluntarily redshirt after Nunzio Campanile took over upon Chris Ash's firing, a request that Campanile honored. Now Sitkowski is back at Rutgers, a 6-foot-5, strong-armed quarterback who could see another chance. New offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Sean Gleeson is known for his development of QBs and ran a pro-style offense in previous stops, so this could be a much-needed opportunity and a fresh start for Sitkowski. - Asbury Park Press

(DS#999 QB) rSr/2024 QB Artur Sitkowski, Illinois
News Source: Asbury Park Press
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  03/12/20 - Oluwole Betiku Jr, Jr/2020, Illinois, 6-3, 249 (DS#24 OLB) + More +

  If Lovie Smith is upset with Oluwole Betiku for leaving Illinois early, he has an unusual way of showing it. Betiku flew into town Friday to get ready for Monday's Illinois Pro Timing Day. At the airport, Betiku saw Smith, who was picking up his grandson. "He gave me a ride to my place," Betiku said. "We had a good conversation. He was great. He's like a father to me." The defensive end transferred to Illinois from Southern Cal before the start of the 2019 season. After limited playing time with the Trojans, he was an immediate hit with the Illini.

Despite missing three games because of injury, Betiku led the team with nine sacks. Betiku could have come back to Illinois for another year. But on Jan. 11, the 22-year-old declared for the NFL draft. "After the season, I looked at my numbers, I looked at how I played, and I just felt like I'm ready for the challenge," Betiku said. Betiku didn't seek much advice before making the jump. "I really just focused my soul and sat by myself in the house and asked myself, 'I've already graduated, I've got a college degree. What am I waiting for?'" Betiku said. "I might as go try to be a professional player." What happens next is up to him. "At the end of the day, wherever you go, however you go, you have to make a team, you have to work hard," Betiku said. "I believe in my hard work and my effort. I've always bet on my effort and myself." - News Gazette Tribune

(DS#24 OLB) Jr/2020 OLB Oluwole Betiku Jr, Illinois
News Source: News Gazette Tribune
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  03/09/20 - Oluwole Betiku Jr, Jr/2020, Illinois, 6-3, 249 (DS#24 OLB) + More +

  A total of six former Fighting Illini football players took part in Illinois' annual NFL Pro Day Monday morning, March 9, at the Smith Football Center and Irwin Indoor Practice Center in front of 30 NFL scouts. Taking part in Monday's workouts were six Fighting Illini from the small 2019 Redbox Bowl squad - Oluwole Betiku Jr., Dre Brown, Reggie Corbin, Stanley Green, Dele Harding, and Tymir Oliver. Jamal Milan had measurements taken, but was unable to participate in drills due to injury.

The Illini started off with measurements and vertical leap testing inside the Smith Center before moving to the Irwin Indoor complex for speed an agility drills. After the drill testing, the Fighting Illini took part in position-specific drills on the turf at the Irwin Practice Facility. Betiku may have helped his stock the most on Pro Day, running an unofficial 4.69 40-yard dash, which would have ranked third among all defensive linemen at the NFL Combine. His 4.26 short shuttle time would have ranked first at the combine, while his 7.26 3-cone time would have been fourth. - Illinois Football

(DS#24 OLB) Jr/2020 OLB Oluwole Betiku Jr, Illinois
News Source: Illinois Football
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  02/12/20 - Artur Sitkowski, rSr/2024, Illinois, 6-4, 225 (DS#999 QB) + More +

  Greg Schiano has added another former Rutgers assistant coach to his Scarlet Knights staff. Schiano announced Tuesday that Joe Susan will serve as special assistant to the head coach. The veteran mentor has more than 40 years of experience at the collegiate level, including nine recently as head coach at Bucknell and nine on Schiano's previous staff. Susan most recently served as special assistant to the director of athletics at Bucknell. He had resigned as head football coach following the 2018 season. Susan was on Schiano's original staff in 2001, serving two seasons as offensive line coach. He moved to tight ends in 2003 and added the title of recruiting coordinator in 2004. Susan has worked at Davidson, Princeton, Memphis, Delaware and Gettysburg in a coaching career that started in 1977. - AP College Football

(DS#999 QB) rSr/2024 QB Artur Sitkowski, Illinois
News Source: AP College Football
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  01/17/20 - Sydney Brown, rSr/2023, Illinois, 5-10, 211 (DS#2 SS) + More +

  Illinois defensive passing game coordinator and safeties coach Gill Byrd said Friday he is leaving the program because of an unspecified illness in his family. Byrd, who worked with head coach Lovie Smith for three NFL teams, coached at Illinois for two seasons. "Gill Byrd is like a brother to me," Smith said. "As good a coach as he is on the field, Gill is even a better person. I hope for nothing but the best for Gill and his family. We will miss him greatly around our program." Smith said Keynodo Hudson will coach all defensive backs next season after coaching the cornerbacks in 2019.

Alfred Davis (defensive tackles coach) and Jimmy Lindsey (defensive ends) will join the program. Davis spent the past two seasons at Hutchinson Community College while Lindsey spent the last three seasons at Western Kentucky. Illinois is coming off a 6-7 season that included three straight losses, but Smith and others are optimistic after reaching a bowl game and putting together a four-game winning streak highlighted by an upset of then-No. 6 Wisconsin. The Illini open the season Sept. 4 against Illinois State. - AP College Football

(DS#2 SS) rSr/2023 SS Sydney Brown, Illinois
News Source: AP College Football
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  01/13/20 - Blake Jeresaty, rSr/2022, Illinois, 6-1, 305 (DS#999 OG) + More +

  2019 AFCA FCS COACHES' SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICAN: OL Blake Jeresaty, Jr., Wofford,...Jeresaty, a junior center from Charleston, South Carolina, became the fifth Terrier to earn the Jacob Blocking Trophy and the first since 2011. He is part of an offensive line that is ranked first in the nation in fewest sacks allowed, with only four. The line paved the way for the nation's second-ranked rushing attack at 305.8 yards per game. He led the team in knockdown blocks with 127 on the season. He was named All-Southern Conference second team last season. He was also named CoSIDA Academic All-District the past two years. - Wofford Football

(DS#999 OG) rSr/2022 OG Blake Jeresaty, Illinois
News Source: Wofford Football
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