We are beyond the halfway point in the 2025 college football season. The 5-2 Fighting Illini are in a prime position to have back-to-back 9+ win seasons.
There is a lot for the Illini to build on during
the bye week. The offensive line has improved. Dylan Rosiek has reclaimed his excellence. Matthew Bailey and Miles Scott had strong bounce-back games against Ohio State.
Despite the losses to the Buckeyes and Hoosiers, the Illini are poised for an explosive stretch run. They have five winnable games, four of which will likely feature Illinois as the favorite.
Bret Bielema has traditionally used bye weeks to hit the recruiting trail. This is often when JuCo players find their way onto Illinois’ radar/ It’s also when the exciting flip season takes place. With all of the coaching carousel commotion, flip season should be quite busy for an Illinois program losing a large number of seniors in a few months.
But this column is about recruiting battles already won. After the bye, Illinois begins one of the most determinative stretches in Bielema’s tenure. It will drive a stake into the words of those who believe that 2023, not 2022, was an aberration.
And to do so, some new/less experienced names will likely have to step into a larger spotlight.
Here are five players who could make a significant stretch run impact.
Saboor Karriem
This one feels particularly gratifying. The New Jersey native broke out with 9 tackles against USC. With the absence of Xavier Scott, somebody needed to step up in the defensive backfield. Karriem may have put his permanent stamp on the rotation with his mix of athleticism, technique, size, length, and anticipation.
Really, what this secondary needs is playmaking. That is where this unit has excelled during the Bielema years. And yes, the 2022 secondary was a legendary LOB-style group. But as of now, Tanner Heckel has the only interception for the Illinois secondary this season. That has to improve. Perhaps the rangy West Orange native can make that a reality.
Joe Barna
Joe Barna is expected to step into an even bigger role when Alec Bryant, Leon Lowery, and Gabe Jacas graduate. But for this season, his role is more situational and rotational. Barna has a sack and has demonstrated the entirety of his skill set by breaking up two passes as well.
Increased consistency and explosive playmaking could land more snaps for the Wheaton native. Barna was a massive recruiting win over Iowa, and his time as an upperclassman at Illinois could be significant. But this year, Barna needs to be the reason teams cannot double Gabe Jacas on third downs. He has to “get home” more often and not just be a backfield nuisance. The talent and physicality are there. This bye week could be the time Terrance Jamison unleashes the sophomore in more sub-packages.
Cole Rusk
Cole Rusk has caught 10 passes for over 11 yards per catch and a touchdown.
Do you smell that? It smells like receiving game production from a tight end. And it’s coming from the guy who was expected to bring that element last season.
Adding Rusk post-injury is like adding a top portal tight end. With the departure of Malik Elzy, Rusk looks to join Justin Bowick as one of Luke Altmyer’s preferred red zone targets. His catch radius and size can cause matchup nightmares down the stretch.
Rusk’s chemistry with Luke Altmyer cannot be understated. For a team that is still learning how to win together, these two have been working on developing their chemistry through physical and mental reps for well over a year.
The emergence of Rusk (along with Hudson Clement) can help take pressure away from Hank Beatty, who has been playing like Mike Dudek and Tyreek Hill had a baby.
(Insert Tyreek Hill joke here.)
