Sam Fariss

Joined: Mar 25, 2024

Sam Fariss is a staff writer for our NCAA team. She attended the University of Oregon (Go Ducks) where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Journalism. Sam has covered college football and other collegiate sports for six years now. Her favorite teams are the Ducks (of course) and the Texas Longhorns because she was raised in Austin.

Aug 29, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema hugs running back Josh McCray (6) before the first half at Memorial Stadium.

Jacob Eberhart reason behind his commitment will have Illinois fans in tears

Illini head coach Brad Underwood, in orange, and associate head coach Orlando Antigua greet fans at the Class 3A Washington Sectional semifinal Tuesday, March 4, 2025.

Brad Underwood needs to lean into 'FamILLy' to land No. 15 prospect in class of 2026

Mar 30, 2024; Boston, MA, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Terrence Shannon Jr. (0) reacts against the Connecticut Huskies in the finals of the East Regional of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at TD Garden.

Former Illinois star repping the Fighting Illini during banner NBA Summer League game

Dec 31, 2024; Orlando, FL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) throws the ball against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the third quarter at Camping World Stadium.

Illinois football finally reveals Citrus Bowl rings and fans are loving it

Will Riley, llinois v Rutgers

Final ESPN NBA Mock Draft has 2 Fighting Illini in the First Round

Bret Bielema, Purdue v Illinois

3-star Texas native picks the Fighting Illini over a slate of SEC and Big 10 programs

Bret Bielema, Michigan v Illinois

OVs seemingly cement blue-chip commits from the class of 2026 for the Fighting Illini

Mar 23, 2025; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Kylan Boswell (4) reacts after losing to the Kentucky Wildcats in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at Fiserv Forum.

Illinois fans need to mark their calendars for game against Texas Tech on Nov. 11

Brad Underwood, Illinois v Iowa

Illini schedule another brutal non-conference matchup with a blue-blood wanna be

Oct 12, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini offensive lineman J.C. Davis (74) in the first half against the Purdue Boilermakers at Memorial Stadium.

4-star IOL announces decision day and includes Illinois in final 6 schools

Oct 12, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema celebrates a 50-49 win over the Purdue Boilermakers at Memorial Stadium.

4-star LBs reassure Fighting Illini they aren't looking anywhere other than Illinois

Nov 13, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood applauds the crowd before a game against the Oakland Golden Grizzlies at State Farm Center.

The Fighting Illini are scheduling a blue-blood matchup for this holiday season

Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) points to one of his blockers as he runs with the ball in the second quarter of a Big Ten football game against Penn State, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in State College, Pa.

Big Ten analysts leave the Fighting Illini just shy of natty contenders

Oct 26, 2024; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema watches the game against the Oregon Ducks during the second half at Autzen Stadium.

Game-by-game predictions for the Fighting Illini's 2025 football season

Oct 8, 2022; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema celebrates with player Kody Case (87) after defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes at Memorial Stadium.

Illini not out yet as three-star CB Nick Hankins Jr. weighs hometown loyalty

Bret Bielema, Michigan v Illinois

Amid huge Illinois recruiting day, 1 JUCO star's commitment slipped through the cracks