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.

Luke Altmyer, Michigan State v Illinois

Illinois QB Luke Altmyer is a top-5 quarterback in the Big 10 for this stat

Dec 31, 2024; Orlando, FL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini running back Aidan Laughery (21) runs the ball.

Two Fighting Illini running backs find themselves on incredible preseason watch list

Jul 22, 2025; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Illinois head coach Bret Bielema speaks to the media during the Big Ten NCAA college football media days at Mandalay Bay Resort.

Bret Bielema has hilarious response to a post from Illinois football

Oct 14, 2023; College Park, Maryland, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini linebacker Gabe Jacas (17) huddles along the sidelines with teammates before the game against the Maryland Terrapins.

Gabe Jacas gave the best reason for staying at Illinois for his senior season

Kylan Boswell, Illinois v Wisconsin

Kylan Boswell has high hopes for two Illinois transfer portal additions

Luke Altmyer, South Carolina v Illinois - Cheez-It Citrus Bowl

Illinois HC Bret Bielema has high praise for his starting QB

Nov 30, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini running back Aidan Laughery (21) celebrates with quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) after scoring a touchdown against the Northwestern Wildcats.

Lone Illinois offensive star on 2025 Maxwell Award Watch List for Fighting Illini

Bret Bielema, Illinois v Minnesota

Monster in-state 4-star OL schedules unofficial visit with Fighting Illini

Oct 11, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, US; Illinois women's head coach Shauna Green speaks to the media during the Big Ten media days at Target Center.

Bret Bielema and Brad Underwood could take recruiting notes from Shauna Green

Oct 19, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Michigan Wolverines.

NFL franchise seemingly copies the Fighting Illini's throwback uniforms

Illinois head coach Brad Underwood is shown during the second half of their second-round NCAA men’s basketball tournament game Sunday, March 23, 2025, at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Brad Underwood misses out on 4-star small forward to Big Ten rival

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