The Field Pass

Illini Sports podcast from Hosted by @MDFlash_7, @AyBayBalas, & @SoupOrSaladino.

[That Guy Rocked CFB @ThatFBGuyRocked]

Arrelious Benn.

That guy rocked.

[Sean Rice @SeanR_11]

Blessed to announce my commitment to Illinois!
ILL
@BretBielema @coacharchiemac @AllenTrieu @EDGYTIM @GregSmithRivals @EdOBrienCFB @TomLoy247 @PrepRedzoneIL

[Soren Fifer @SorenFifer]

After much thought and consideration I have decided to continue my education and football career at the University of Illinois! Thank you to every coach who has recruited me and helped me I wish you the best.
@23adamoneill @AllenTrieu @CfbRalb @Coach_BMiller @BretBielema

[The Field Pass @TheFieldPass]

The number of players included in their database varies pretty significantly by program. Illinois only has 58 players counted toward its roster valuation, compared to 67 for Rutgers and 65 for Iowa.

It also looks like they generally don’t assign estimated values to JUCO players or recruits below the 4-star level, so the data doesn’t provide a completely apples-to-apples comparison across rosters.

A few notable Illinois names missing entirely that are likely still receiving meaningful NIL compensation...Jordan Anderson, Jakwon Morris, Maika Matelau, and TJ Taylor. Joe Barna’s estimated valuation at $130k also feels way too light for a guy who was 3rd on the team in pressures last season. Still interesting data nonetheless.

[The Field Pass @TheFieldPass]

College Front Office (@CollegeFrontOfc) has built a proprietary multi-factor model to estimate every player's annualized NIL market value. These are proprietary estimates, not official financial disclosures.

Here is an estimate of the Illini’s current roster…

Data: https://t.co/r92ipRwKDZ

[The Field Pass @TheFieldPass]

Full Methodology: https://t.co/lihYSvtvEl

This is a market-value estimate (what a player is worth in an open NIL market), calibrated against public deal reports where they leak. Most deals stay private, so we can't measure exact correlation with team spending.

Returners and portal moves use market signal where available, recruits and unsigned roles use composite-based comps. Confidence is highest on starters with public deal anchors, lowest on backups and unsigned freshmen.

[Illinois Football @IlliniFootball]

Welcome to the FamILLy, Director of Football Ops Nadia Jackson

@NadiaEJackson | https://t.co/iTZyrJSm6G

[Illinois Football @IlliniFootball]

Mark the calendar — Friday night football is back.

vs Nebraska | 7 PM CT
at UCLA | 8 PM CT

[The Field Pass @TheFieldPass]

Super niche complaint.

TSJ should be #1 trending right now but because people don’t know if it’s spelled Terrance or Terrence (the latter is correct btw), the impressions get split and he’s only 17th.

[The Field Pass @TheFieldPass]

Game 4 hero: Ayo
Game 6 hero: ˙ɹſ uouuɐɥS ǝɔuǝɹɹǝꓕ

They may build the Brad Underwood statue in Minneapolis.

[The Field Pass @TheFieldPass]

Absolutely love this. Champ Smith is taking some of that NIL money and giving back to high school student-athletes.

We might need to start a Walter Payton Man of the Year Award at the collegiate level.

[Micah Champion Smith @ChampSmith55]

I’ve been blessed to be a blessing.

The 1st Annual Champ Smith Family Scholarship. Apply here: https://t.co/5pKQdvWW9h

[Pete Thamel @PeteThamel]

Source: Former Missouri State basketball player Michael Osei-Bonsu is on a visit to Illinois. That’s the first of multiple visits over the upcoming weeks he’s planning. Illinois projects him primarily as a tight end, while other schools see him as a defensive tackle.

[Greg Auman @gregauman]

Former Illinois linebacker Dylan Rosiek, an East Lake grad who had 207 career tackles and 15 TFLs, will go to Bucs rookie minicamp as a tryout player. Went undrafted this weekend but gets a shot close to home.

[The Field Pass @TheFieldPass]

Drafted:
Gabe Jacas - Patriots (2.55)
J.C. Davis - Giants (6.192)
Miles Scott - Broncos (7.246)

UDFA Signings:
Luke Altmyer - Lions
Melvin Priestly - Lions
Tanner Arkin - Patriots
Hank Beatty - Titans
Josh Gesky - Packers
James Thompson Jr. - 49ers

Rookie Minicamp Invitees:
Josh Kreutz - Bears & Giants
Dylan Rosiek - Buccaneers

[The Field Pass @TheFieldPass]

Ayo Dosunmu probably just made himself $20–25M in this series against the Nuggets.

UFA this summer…feels like he just played his way from ~$13–15M AAV into the ~$20M range on a 3–4 year deal.

Can’t think of another player more deserving.

[𝑷𝑨𝑻 𝑩𝑹𝒀𝑨𝑵𝑻 ¹³ @PatBryant]

My brother! Came to college together now we hooping in the league. 💯

[Tom Pelissero @TomPelissero]

Former Illinois QB Luke Altmyer is signing with the Lions, source said.

[Brad Biggs @BradBiggs]

#Illini C Josh Kreutz is expected to receive rookie minicamp invites from the #Bears and #Giants.

[Tom Pelissero @TomPelissero]

Former Illinois DT James Thompson is signing with the 49ers on a deal that includes $280,000 guaranteed, per source.

[Aaron Wilson @AaronWilson_NFL]

Illinois guard Josh Gesky to #Packers per a league source @IlliniFootball