Joel Abney

Dad of @Abney_Christian (Illinois Football TE #86🏈). @LillyAbney NIU 26’ W VB🏐 OH 6th Rotation. Elise (Purdue/Vanderbilt). Ashton, Gwen. Just a proud Dad.

[Bill Sparks @SparkScouting]

https://t.co/LCYKMPijyx

[SleeperColts @SleeperColts]

ESPN surveyed league executives, coaches and scouts to rank the NFL’s top 10 TEs entering 2026. Colts TE Tyler Warren came in at No. 5.

"He can kick your ass in the run game on one play and win as a receiver on the next.”

Agree or disagree?

[Chief Oskee @ChiefOskee]

No. 10 Christian Abney @abney_christian
#Illini

[Andrew Moore @AndrewMooreNFL]

Colts’ Tyler Warren is already seen as a top 5 TE in the league by NFL personnel, ranking 5th in ESPN’s survey.

And if I had to guess, he’s only just getting started.

[Matt Lisle @CoachLisle]

The best team leaders are: "first to practice, first to meetings, first to focus in, first to speak up, and first to step up"

[The Sport Parent @TheSportParent]

Love your kids no matter how they perform ...

- from @RCFamilies

[Matt Lisle @CoachLisle]

When the older players are willing to help the younger players every day, then you've got the right environment to build a winner.
– Hank Iba

[Sports Psychology @SportPsychTips]

Do you truly love your sport, or do you just love the fun and easy parts? To succeed, you must learn to love the entire process of becoming great.

[Coach AJ 🎯 Mental Fitness @coachajkings]

You have to be willing to accept the costs of leadership.

📌Kirby Smart explaining the 3 costs of leadership:

[Sports Psychology @SportPsychTips]

Six of the most important intangibles that coaches look for in players:
1. High character
2. Great attitude
3. Work ethic
4. Mental toughness
5. Leadership
6. Intelligence

[Paul M. Banks @PaulMBanks]

Five 2027 NFL Draft prospects to watch on the Illinois Fighting #Illini https://t.co/jTMogBLwDq via @TheDraftWire
#IlliniNation

[T'N'T College Football Podcast @TNTCollegeFoot1]

The QB position belongs to East Carolina transfer Katin Hauser. He has two strong seasons at ECU, where he threw for 5,306 yards and 37 TDs. Hauser also added 13 rushing TDs. He knows the Big 10 well, as he started some games at Michigan State in 2023.

[T'N'T College Football Podcast @TNTCollegeFoot1]

Here we go! Breakdown No 41 of 138 (Not a ranking. Just alphabetical order), the Illinois Fighting Illini.

Here is a thread to preview the Fighting Illini's upcoming season.

Long thread 🧵 incoming.

#Illini

[Bill Sparks @SparkScouting]

As the calendar flips to July, my Summer Scouting Top 10 QBs for the 2027 #NFLDraft just dropped. From elite arm talent to the guys who popped on tape way earlier than expected, man is this class fun.

If you’re into traits, projection, and a couple spicy rankings… you’ll want to read this one (and subscribe for all the other positions also!) New breakdown is live now. ⬇️

[T'N'T College Football Podcast @TNTCollegeFoot1]

Also included is my writeup on Illinois Football for @_redshirtsports

https://t.co/rw5UMrL13p

[T'N'T College Football Podcast @TNTCollegeFoot1]

Final Analysis

Bret Bielema raised the level of Illinois football to place not many thought they could, contending for a spot in the CFP. Last season, the Illini were one of the most experienced teams in college football, now they are one of the least experienced. With that said, outside of going to Ohio State and hosting Oregon (two preseason Top Five teams), the schedule is favorable. Another nine win season is possible in Champaign-Urbana.

[T'N'T College Football Podcast @TNTCollegeFoot1]

The WR room returns experience in Hudson Clement, Collin Dixon, and TE Christian Abney. Abney is an amazing blocker and on NFL scouts radar. The additions of Eddie Kasper (Illinois State), Ty Robinson (Ball State), Alex Perry (FIU), and Jayshon Platt (FAU) are massive for this unit.

[MLFootball @MLFootball]

POWERFUL: #NFL icon Pat Tillman talking about how the national anthem fired him up before games.

“I have a patriotic bone to me.”

After 9/11, Pat enlisted in the army, turning down a $3.6M deal and he tragically lost his life in the line of duty.

❤️🇺🇸

[Anthony Russo @Anthony_Russo97]

@SparkScouting Great stuff, curious what you think of Katin Houser?

[Bill Sparks @SparkScouting]

@Anthony_Russo97 I can see the pathway too, especially if he gets my sleeper TE (Christian Abney) involved, and he takes the next step