CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Bret Bielema addressed the media on Tuesday about his roster just one month before the start of the regular season.
With the Illini slated to kick off against UAB on September 3rd, things are starting to get real.
Injury updates
Bielema shared some rather sad news at the presser.
True freshman Davon Grant is going to be medically ineligible for the Illini this season.
“We had some things medically,” Bielema said. “We were never able to clear that hurdle.”
Grant, who was a three-star wide receiver in
the class of 2026, had joined the team back in January of this year.
Bielema didn’t offer specifics of what medical issues the freshman was facing, but was adamant that Grant wouldn’t play for the Illini.
“He won’t be able to play for us here at Illinois,” Bielema said.
It’s always heartbreaking to see any player go down with an injury, but for a young kid to possibly get his dream of college football taken away from an off-the-field medical issue, this situation is extra disheartening.
“We’ve expressed to him that we’re here for him in any way,” Bielema said.
On a more positive note, Bielema did give some insight on offensive lineman Dezmond Schuster’s health. The sixth-year senior was cleared recently.
“I know Dez Schuster wasn’t with us in the Spring,” Bielema said. “He didn’t get cleared until the summer started.
Schuster will also have the opportunity to return to Champaign next season.
“He got a waiver for an extension of his time,” Bielema said.
Position changes
Jershaun Newton, the younger brother of former Illinois star Johnny Newton, has switched positions.
The sophomore from Florida originally came to Champaign as a quarterback and was at the position last year.
For the 2026 season, Newton will be joining the wide-out room.
“He’s had the majority of the summer to put himself in that position,” Bielema said. “He can help us win games.”
I think for Newton this makes a lot of sense, as the sophomore only stands at six feet even, but possesses elite athleticism.
Bielema also shared that there were three quarterbacks ahead of him, so for the younger Newton brother, the move seems like the fastest way to get playing time.
“He’s going to be running with the twos,” Bielema said of Newton.
It’s not the first time we’ve seen Bielema do this either. Bielema moved Isaiah Williams from quarterback to wide receiver several years ago, and now Williams is making a name for himself returning punts and kickoffs in the NFL.
On the defensive side of the ball, Bielema also indicated a change.
Utah State transfer Will Holmes will be moving from linebacker to defensive end.
“We moved him to defensive end,” Bielema said.
Holmes, who stands at a towering 6’4”, 255, will be playing a variety of different roles for the Illini.
“He’ll live in the d-line room, but do a variety of different things for us,” Bielema said.
The junior transfer made seven starts at Utah State last season, recording 45 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks and one interception.
