Orange & Blue News Podcast

Cam Thomas, a 2026 four-star linebacker from Lakota West (West Chester, OH), announced his commitment today. As a result, Illinois has surged in the national team recruiting rankings. According to Rivals.com, Illinois now ranks 9th in the country, with only two other Big Ten programs cracking the top 10—Oregon at No. 1 and Penn State at No. 5.

Illinois' 2026 wide receiver commit, Davon Grant, is a 6-foot-4, 200-pound athlete from DeKalb, IL. Grant discusses his recruiting process with Illinois and head coach Bret Bielema, as well as the importance of staying home to represent his state university.

Ismael Kante, a 6-foot-2, 225-pound linebacker from Iowa Central Community College by way of Minneapolis, Minn. Kante is ranked as the No. 21 overall JUCO prospect in the Class of 2025 and the No. 1 junior college linebacker in the class. Kante talks about how special head coach Bret Bielema is.

Destiny Jackson, ranked 24th nationally, and her mother Teshunda Crockwell discuss her recruitment journey and future in women's basketball. What sold the family on Illinois and her future plans.

Former Illini Marcus Griffin talks past and present Illinois basketball, Griffin also discusses Terrence Shannon Jr. where he ranks in terms of all-time greats. He also who was the main player that got the ball rolling to keep the Peoria Pipeline going.

Ben Humrichous, an Illini transfer commit from Evansville, IN, joins me to discuss his journey and what led him to Illinois.

Illinois Tight End Commit Cole Rusk will enroll in the 2024 spring semester. Rusk mentions his passion for the opportunity to play for his home state university.

A special holiday edition for college basketball fans, today's guest is Tim Anderson from the Illinois men's basketball program. His future plans for Illinois long-term and shared how good this team could be in March.

Today's guest is Anthony Kyle originally from Elkhart, Indiana, now resides in the Quad City area where he's the personal trainer for (Flourish Season). Davenport North's Iowa Divine Bourrage, a Top 10 recruit nationally who receives Anthony's training. Bourrage is a player the Fighting Illini women's program is recruiting hard.

Jeremiah Fears - Jeremy Fears Sr. Recruiting Update, driving in the Windy City (Chicago - Cell Towers). Fears discussed the latest with his younger son and his recruitment, where Illinois stands in the big picture, and his thoughts on reclassifying.

Illinois recruit Jason Jakstys discusses his commitment, Jakstys also mentions Power-Five programs that were interested in him as well as his expectations once he arrives on campus. 

Illinois women's basketball transfer from Duke Shay Bollin, shares why the Illini were so special to her. The Massachusetts high school prospect was one of the nation's top 40 players coming out of Bridgewater – Raynham Regional HS per ESPNW. Bollin is ready to expand her game and help Illinois win she discussed here.

Illinois basketball prospect Mikey Lewis joins Ked's Recruiting Roundup.Recently Lewis received an Illinois offer along with five other schools. Lewis was named as one of the top EYBL performers during session one in Atlanta.

Ked's Recruiting Roundup with Chicago Kenwood's Russell Cunningham. Made an unofficial visit to Illinois, he recaps his visit and discussed how the coaches and players made him feel.

Illinois WR commit Collin Dixon from Tallmadge, OH, talks football recruiting 101 on Christmas Eve. Collin was a one-time Wisconsin Badger recruit, but after the coaching change and the way Illinois left the door open for him from previously recruting him, Dixon knew Illinois was where he should be.

Avery Jones talks about his journey before committing to East Carolina, and how he ended up at Illinois. Jones is aware that the talented line play in the Big Ten Conference helped his decision.

Illinois women basketball recruits Cori Allen and Gretchen Dolan discuss signing day. Colin and Allen discussed playing each other once, who won and described their individual play. The future of the program is why both girls committed along with other important factors. Allen and Dolan are both 4-star recruits by several recruiting publications.

DB Saboor Karriem talks about his passion for Illinois football and what made it easy for him to commit. Karriem is a 6-3, a 180-pound defensive specialist from West Orange NJ. The star DB had twenty-seven offers before picking the Illini.

Illinois women's program lands another elite player, Cori Allen. This addition of Ked's Recruting Roundup guest is All-American guard Cori Allen from Montverde Academy. Allen is a 5-11 combo guard/wing that can do it all. According to some recruting services, she's a top 25 prospect.

Illinois women's program lands one of the nation's elite scores in Gretchen Dolan. Sunday night Dolan made it official that she will continue her basketball career at the University of Illinois. Dolan attends Williamsville HS in New York. She's a 2023 prospect that averages 38.4 ppg, and played on the EYBL Circuit.

Illinois lands nationally ranked guard Drayvn Gibbs-Lawhorn. Ben Gibbs, the father of Drayvn, clears the air about his son's recruitment and the misunderstanding that came with it. Ben speaks highly of the coaching staff at Illinois and how impactful they are when it comes to recruiting.

The Fighting Illini received an oral commitment from one of the nation's top punters in Declan Duley. Illini head coach Bret Bielema said special team play for him is very important. Listen here on Ked's recruiting roundup why the El Paso prep picked Illinois.

Illinois women's program making waves early, head coach Shauna Green has not coached a single game for Illinois and is making it known Illinois will win. One of the country's best prospects in Jasmine Brown, who recently released her top 6. Listen here to see who made that list and where Illinois stands with Brown.

The Fighting Illini get their man, Amani Hansberry, one of the nation's top 2023 basketball prospects. Illinois identified Hansberry early (Assistant Coach Chester Frazier). The Baltimore Maryland prep was named to the NIKE EYBL All-Tournament Team. Hansberry discusses why he picked Illinois over the likes of Penn State, Miami, Virginia Tech, and Auburn.

Former Illinois wing Austin Hutcherson received a professional contract. Hutcherson will play for Vevey Riviera 1st. Division Switzerland. Hutcherson discussed his time at Illinois and how it prepared him for his next journey. Also how he dealt with adversity at Illinois and how he's able to move forward.

In this episode, we looked to get an outsider's perspective on Illinois football recruiting and what other Big Ten schools are thinking. Also, the new addition of USC and UCLA, how they may impact both Illinois and Iowa.

Ked's Recruiting Roundup with basketball recruit Caden Wilkins, big day for juniors who can receive phone calls and text messages from DI school. Illinois assistant coach Chester Frazier was the first B1G school to contact Wilkins. The Bettendorf, IA native talked about the loyalty from the Illinois coaches.

Ked's Recruiting Roundup With Illinois Football Recruit Mason Muragin Illinois fans welcome Mason Muragin to Ked's Recruiting Roundup. Mason Muragin is a 6-4, 235-pound DE from Warren Michigan. Muragin talked about his unofficial visit to Illinois and what it means to have an offer from them.

Ked's Recruiting Roundup with Illinois DB coach Aaron Henry. Coach Henry is fresh off a recruiting visit to talk about the future of the Illinois football program and the direction it's headed. His great relationship with head coach Bret Bielema and other coaches, also why it's so easy to sell the FamILLy slogan because that's what it is now at Illinois.

Illini commit Morez Johnson talks Illinois basketball, Johnson is one of the country's top 50 players as a junior. This gifted wing talks about how the early verbal to Illinois happened and what fans can look forward to seeing from him.

Illinois Assistant Basketball Coach Tim Anderson joins the show to discuss how his career started, also how he ended up at Illinois. Coach Anderson also talks about his early and recent success at Illinois and how bright the future will be next year.

Ked's Recruiting Roundup with 6-11 PF Joseph Estrella, who recently received an offer from the Illinois, and assistant coach Chester Fraizer. Estrella discusses his offers and his thoughts on Illinois.

Ked's Recruiting Roundup with Illini Football Commit Terrell Jennings. He's a Minnesota State transfer committed to Illinois to play DB Jennings will be eligible to play this fall. Here on Ked's Recruiting Roundup Jennings discusses his journey to the Fighting Illini.

Ked's Recruiting Roundup with Illini commit Jayden Epps, this Northfolk, Virginia shares why he picked Illinois, his great relationship with assistant coach Chester Frazier and head coach Brad Underwood. Also what he expects to bring to the team once he's on campus. Epps, is a Top 75 basketball recruit.

Ked's Recruiting Roundup with Illini Commit Skyy Clark, he's the biggest basketball recruiting for the Illini in twenty years. Clark at one point was ranked 8th in the county and considered the best PG in the class of 2022. Clark join Ked's Recruiting Roundup to discuss his commitment, fans and he love for the Illini fans.

Ked's Recruiting Roundup with women's recruit Genesis Bryant, just committed to the Univ of Illinois, Bryant is a transfer from NC State. Bryant told us why she picked the Illini and what the fans expect to see from her on the court.

Ked's Recruiting Roundup with 4-star #Illini commit Ty Rodgers. We discussed how Rodgers became in contact with Illinois. How important Coach Tim Anderson is to this staff. The direction of the program now and the relationship with the newest Illini Skky Clark.

Ked's Recruiting Roundup with Missouri S&T Miners Assist Coach Darren Bizarri. We discussed How much recruiting has changed in the last five years, and how difficult it is for high school basketball and football players to get recruited now that the transfer portal comes into play. Also what Illinois fans missed when Coach Brad Underwood's Illini lost to the Houston Cougars in the second round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament.

Ked's Recruiting Roundup with 2024 Jaydon Wright, one of the nations top RB in the county had an unofficial to the University of Illinois today. Wright came away impressed with everything the #Illini had to offer. 

Ked's Recruiting Roundup with FB recruit Antwon Hayden, this East St. Louis native told Illinois fans to be ready for some good news this week when it comes to recruiting for the Illini. Hayden said he's looking forward to his couple visits coming up, and the Illini should be in great shape.

This episode, we talked with CB Xavier Scott from Florida; joining the show was Davenport Assumption football coach Chris McIntosh. Scott talked about why Illinois was special to him and what fans can expect from him.

Illinois fans, this is a can't miss Podcast; former Illinois legend basketball player Deon Thomas talks about recruiting back when he played versus today the pressure of the student-athletes and coaches to win. Thomas knows Illinois has one rivalry, that's Iowa, and he was a part of that.

Ked's Recruiting Roundup, this episode is committed football recruits WR's Shawn and Chase Miller, they discuss the recruiting process, personal and team goals for the Illini. Also how well the coaching staff did to get them to commit.

Ked's Recruiting Roundup with Peoria Great David Williams. Great inside information on the success of Illini wing Da'Monte Williams who David has trained sine 8th grade years the ups and downs. The next Peoria great Cooper Koch, along with Jeremiah and Jeremy Fears Jr., David broke down each players game plus more.

Ked's Recruiting Roundup with Football Recruit Trevor Burnett who hales from Glenbard South RB. Burnett rushed for 2,113 yards and 20 TD's as a senior in high school, listen to the latest on his verbal to the Illini.

The Fighting Illini had two big-time basketball recruits on campus last night. Baylor Transfer Dain Dainja and La Lumiere Prep Jeremy Fears Jr. 2023. Both came away impressed with their visit. Both talked about what they liked about the Illini.

Ked's Recruiting Roundup (Ty Rodgers Episode) - Illinois pick up top 50 basketball recruit. IlliniGuys.com staff Brad Sturdy and Connor Cagley discuss what this means for Illinois and the next group 2023.

Ked's Recruiting Roundup with TJ Griffin, he's the latest football commit for the class of 2022. Griffin's story is truly amazing how he received his scholarship from Illinois.

Ked's Recruiting Roundup with Prep Hoops Scott Burgess

Ked's Recruiting Roundup Jeremy Fears Sr. and Brandon Boswell

Ked's Recruiting Roundup with Gavin Sullivan from MidPro Academy