Illinois Illini begin 2026 fall practices as roster reshapes ahead of season
3 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Aug 5, 2026, 4:18 AM
Last updated Aug 5, 2026
The Illinois football team opened its fall training camp on August 4 in Champaign, led by head coach Bret Bielema. The practice marked a significant shift for Bielema, noting that there are more newcomers among the 110-man roster than returning players. Several players are sidelined due to injuries, including wide receiver Hudson Clement and linebacker Daniel Brown. Freshman wide receiver Davon Grant is expected to medically retire and will not play for the team. Changes to the roster include offensive lineman Dezmond Schuster returning for a sixth season and adjustments in player positions, including Jershaun Newton moving to wide receiver and Will Holmes transitioning to defensive end. With a new defensive coordinator Bobby Hauck, the team is adapting to a 3-3-5 scheme while focusing on daily progress in training.
- •Bret Bielema opens 2026 fall practices with a reshaped roster.
- •More newcomers than returnees on the 110-man roster.
- •Several players are sidelined due to injuries.
- •Davon Grant expected to medically retire, will not play.
- •Team adapts to a new defensive scheme under Bobby Hauck.
- 4:18 AMYahoo Sports — Illini coordinators discuss new season amid first week of fall camp
- 8:00 PMYahoo Sports — Illinois football begins 2026 fall training camp
- 2:48 PMYahoo Sports — Notes: Illini officially turn page to 2026 season with fall practices now underway
"Aug. 4—CHAMPAIGN — Bret Bielema experienced a first in his lengthy coaching career Monday, opening fall training camp at Illinois with a roster boasting more newcomers on his 110-man roster than returning players. Not all of those 110 players, however, were on the field Monday night at Gies Memorial Stadium for the Illini's first training camp practice. A half dozen or so, including wide ...
"CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — There is plenty of new on both sides of the ball for Illinois football heading into the 2026 season. Fall camp is underway for the Illini, with Bret Bielema’s squad taking the field at Gies Memorial Stadium for their second fall practice on Tuesday, August 4. The most highly-anticipated newcomer has […]
"CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) – The 2026 college football season is inching closer, and Illinois football held its first fall training camp practice on Monday – exactly one month away from the Sept. 3 season opener against UAB. It was an evening practice for the Illini, aligning with both class schedules and the fact that they […]
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsAug 5, 2026, 4:18 AMIllini coordinators discuss new season amid first week of fall camp
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — There is plenty of new on both sides of the ball for Illinois football heading into the 2026 season. Fall camp is underway for the Illini, with Bret Bielema’s squad taking the field at Gies Memorial Stadium for their second fall practice on Tuesday, August 4. The most highly-anticipated newcomer has […]
- Yahoo SportsAug 4, 2026, 8:00 PMIllinois football begins 2026 fall training camp
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) – The 2026 college football season is inching closer, and Illinois football held its first fall training camp practice on Monday – exactly one month away from the Sept. 3 season opener against UAB. It was an evening practice for the Illini, aligning with both class schedules and the fact that they […]
- Yahoo SportsAug 4, 2026, 2:48 PMNotes: Illini officially turn page to 2026 season with fall practices now underway
Aug. 4—CHAMPAIGN — Bret Bielema experienced a first in his lengthy coaching career Monday, opening fall training camp at Illinois with a roster boasting more newcomers on his 110-man roster than returning players. Not all of those 110 players, however, were on the field Monday night at Gies Memorial Stadium for the Illini's first training camp practice. A half dozen or so, including wide ...
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