In case you missed it, Illinois football’s latest promotional video is pretty fantastic. Senior defensive end Gimel President stars in a mock campaign speech that highlights some strengths of the team — Check it out!
We're about to start a campaign that ALL of #Illini Nation can get behind. https://t.co/n56CmiQdxT
— Illini Football (@IlliniFootball) August 31, 2016
The 6-foot-4, 265-pound graduate transfer played in 25 games at Auburn, totaling 45 tackles, 3.0 sacks, and 7.0 tackles-for-loss. He saw extensive playing time in 2014 (9 starts), but he was reduced to filling a reserve role as a redshirt-junior.
While there’s no word on who President will select as his running mate, Mike Dudek figures to be an early favorite due to his popularity. Regardless, we here at TCR fully endorse President’s run for office. #MakeIllinoisGreatAgain
Illinois Fighting Illini Links
- Murray State will be an early test Illinois’ pass defense (TCR)
How successful will the Murray State offense be this season? That all depends on redshirt-sophomore KD Humphries. Last season, Humphries tallied 347.3 yards per game with a 61.9% completion percentage while leading one of the country's best passing attacks.
- The 25 most intriguing football coaches of 2016 (Yahoo Sports)
Overlooked for many head-coaching positions when he was a college assistant, [Lovie] Smith now gets his chance as a rebound job from the NFL ranks. His hiring came late (March) and abruptly (new athletic director Josh Whitman suddenly fired stopgap coach Bill Cubit to make room), and he’s taking over a perennial underachieving program
- Lovie Smith feels the buzz as Illini approach opener (Fox Sports)
''With the students being here, yes, there is a lot of excitement,'' Smith said. ''Yes, I've seen it. I've heard it. They're vocal in their support of our football team, and there's no more exciting place to be than on a college campus game day.''
- 3 Illini golfers named preseason Big Ten honorees (Illinois Athletics)
Three Fighting Illini men's golfers were recognized by the Big Ten Conference on Wednesday as sophomore Edoardo Lipparelli joins juniors Nick Hardy and Dylan Meyer as 2016-17 Preseason Honorees.