Four-star Evanston DB Justin Johnson (@Justink_johnson) has many ties to the #illini, but he made his decision independent of his Illini grad parents and his coach, a former Illini player.
"I'm going to show out for the people in Illinois and Chicago."
#illini offered 2027 Belleville East DB James Johnson (@johnson_james7) during his unofficial visit to Champaign on Friday.
"I was very appreciative in the moment," Johnson said.
The in-state prospect talks Illini, Bret Biele⤵️ma & his recruitment
WATCH: Jacksonville State transfer defensive lineman Darrell Prater discusses transferring to #illini
WATCH: Washington State transfer and Loyola Academy graduate Connor Sullivan discusses transferring to #illini
WATCH: Wisconsin transfer center Jake Renfro discusses transferring to #illini, his father's alma mater
#illini baseball has won five straight entering this weekend's B1G-opening series at No. 20 USC
@KikaniRudraksh on their strides made recently and the challenge ahead ⤵️
Bret Bielema hired a handful of 3-3-5 experts, including several Montana staffers, as assistant coaches to help new DC Bobby Hauck teach and preach his scheme.
"Once you go voodoo, you don't go back," Roger Cooper said.
On the transition underway ⤵️
WATCH: #illini coach Bret Bielema discusses his new staff additions and the start of spring practice
WATCH: #illini safeties coach Ronnie Bradford discusses joining the Illini staff, Bobby Hauck and more
WATCH: #illini running backs coach Tyrone Wheatley discusses joining the Illini staff, the team's running backs, re-joining the Big Ten and more.
WATCH: #illini inside linebackers coach Roger Cooper discusses joining the Illini staff, the 3-3-5 defense and Bobby Hauck
#illini Tyrone Wheatley: "I do bleed maize and blue, but I'm here. I'm where my feet are."
#illini RB coach Tyrone Wheatley: Ca'Lil Valentine, he's special. He's a special guy. A slasher but has burst.
Aidan Laughery "can pick 'em up and put 'em down." Got some other things to work on.
Together, as a tandem, they will do a lot of good things in the Big Ten.
#illini Tyrone Wheatley said he still has bruises from playing the #illini defenses from the mid-90s, which included Dana Howard, Kevin Hardy, Simeon Rice and John Holecek.
#illini Tyrone Whealey: I'm at the point of my career that I can be selective so why wouldn't you want to work for Bret Bielema given his RB history and the type of culture he sets.
#illini ILB coach Roger Cooper: The defense "should make offenses uncomfortable, but it makes [us] uncomfortable too because there's a lot of movement, a lot of stunts."
Not a black and white defense.
#illini ILB coach Roger Cooper: The MIKE linebacker has to be a great blitzer. The other linebackers "have to be able to play ball." Usually, the best athletes are at the two OLB positions.
#illini ILB coach Roger Cooper: The linebackers are hungry and excited, wanting to learn.
#illini ILB coach Roger Cooper said this is a fun defense to play in and coach: "This is like the triple-option defense."
#illini safeties coach Ronnie Bradford said Matthew Bailey put his name on a lot of NFL Draft boards with the Ohio State game.
#illini safeties coach Ronnie Bradford: Bobby Hauck gives us the materlals and the information. He does a great job of managing things but he doesn't micromanage. He's a great defensive mind, very aware of situations in game.
#illini safeties coach Ronnie Bradford: The biggest jump with teaching and transitioning to the defense is certain techniques and terminology.
#illini Bret Bielema made defensive scheme change "because last three years we haven't finished in the top-half of any category that matters."
"The ability to defend the pass is a huge, huge deal in today's college football world."
Wnated to bring something new to league.
#illini Bret Bielema on roster costs: There are quite a few teams in the Big Ten that operate over $30 million. Competitively, to do that at half the value, it's not going to work.
"I'm here to play, as long as it's all the same game."
#illini Bret BIelema: Still working through some position switches with new scheme. Probably will see guys moving positions throughout the spring.
#illini Bret BIelema remains in favor of a 24-team playoff. Excited that Big Ten and SEC are starting to think alike.
#illini Bret Bielema: Jake Renfro has been cleared eligibility-wise and will play. Won't be cleared to play for spring ball. With as much experience as he has, not worried about him missing.
Ayden Knapik will take a medical redshirt and won't play this season.
#illini Bret Bielema: To hire Tyrone Wheatley, to hire someone I attempted to tackle at some point in my life. Was on the verge of making another hire and he reached out to me. He's an overwhelmingly positive addition and has understanding of our league and the NFL.
#illini Bret Bielema: To have the last two coordinators of this system (Roger Cooper and Ronnie Bradford) is absolutely huge.
#illini Bret Bielema: Wanted to add a person to every level of defense that worked with Bobby Hauck or in the system.
