'I think I can definitely play at this level'

Aug. 14—CHAMPAIGN — Maybe the "I can't believe I'm here" feeling will go away for Dane Eisenmenger some day.

But he is here, playing college football for coach Bret Bielema at Illinois. Gies Memorial Stadium is 8.4 miles from his hometown of Tolono.

That turned out to be handy a few weeks ago, when tornadoes popped up in the area. Eisenmenger took his two roommates, Nate Cichy and Davon Grant to his house.

"My mom and dad cooked us dinner," Eisenmenger said.

Of course, Eisenmenger, who won The News-Gazette All-Area Player of the Year honor after a standout senior season in 2025 at Unity, is living a dream.

But the movie just started. Spoiler alert: Eisenmenger has four more years after his rookie season.

The reality of college football: There are only 12 game days during the season. The rest is preparation.

"It's been a lot of learning," Eisenmenger said during Thursday's team media day. "It's been really fun. I'm really grateful for the opportunity."

Until 2020, the media and fans were allowed more access to training camp.

Might be helpful for the young quarterback that family and fans can't attend.

"I know a lot of the Unity fans would come and show support," Eisenmenger said. "It's helpful being able to focus on me and things I can control."

Like his size. The 6-foot-4 quarterback, who is wearing No. 12 as an Illini, is listed at 215 pounds.

"I gained a lot of weight, which I think has prepared me if I were to get in a game right now, to take some hits," Eisenmenger said.

Eisenmenger has had his moments, both positive and negative.

"I've thrown a bad ball or two that have gotten picked off," he said. "I can't really do that anymore. I've also made some throws where I'm like, 'Yeah, these are the throws you've got to be able to make to play at this level.' ... I think I can definitely play at this level."

His first time running out on the field as an Illinois football player is less than three weeks away, with the Illini set to host UAB on Sept. 3 in the 2026 season opener in Champaign.

"I don't think it is really going to occur to me until it's a packed house and the fans are there," Eisenmenger said.

Eisenmenger understands his role this season is to prepare for a time in the future when current starter Katin Houser, an East Carolina transfer in the offseason, has moved on.

"There's no pressure," he said. "I'm coming in here to learn as much as I can to get me prepared to fill whatever role I have next year and the years after that."

Bielema talks often about volume reflecting confidence. No problem for Eisenmenger and his deep, loud voice.

"I think they've been pretty impressed with how I've led and how I talk inside the huddle," Eisenmenger said.

The past few weeks have been busy for Eisenmenger with 6 a.m. wake-up calls for some practices and days that last sometimes as last as 9:30 p.m.

At the end of the day, Eisenmenger will be tired, but eager to keep learning.

The biggest difference between high school and college football?

"How much faster it is," Eisenmenger said.

Weighing in

Recruiting players from the area can be tricky, Bielema said.

"Sometimes, when they are local, you know too much about him," the sixth-year coach said. "I've witnessed it when I was an assistant, coordinator. You may like somebody, but everybody's got an opinion."

When Bielema was at Wisconsin, if the Badgers asked, the players said "yes."

"It was a different recruiting machine because every kid that grew up there knew Wisconsin was good, and they wanted to go there," Bielema said. "Come here, we're getting that way, which is why we're getting more kids. Now, they know Illinois can be successful."

Illinois first evaluated Eisenmenger two years ago.

Eisenmenger — a key part of a Unity team that finished 12-2 as the Class 3A state runner-up last fall after he throw for 3,447 yards, 39 touchdowns and just four interceptions while adding 416 rushing yards on 72 carries and nine touchdowns in 2025 — signed with Division II program Central Missouri in February before re-opening his recruitment and landing with the Illini in early June.

Two weeks ago, Bielema and offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. were saying they need to go back and evaluate local kids "after a year of growth."

The verdict on Eisenmenger? They like his progress.

"Dane has been incredibly composed," Bielema said. "Very good arm talent. Thinks extremely well once the ball is snapped. He's been impressive since he came in the summer, but also I would say through two weeks (of training camp) a very impressive young man."

Helping hand

Eisenmenger received strong reviews from Houser, who will be starting for Illinois this season.

"I'm very impressed by Dane," Houser said. "Just seeing his poise and command of the offense at such a young age. I don't think I was that good, honestly, as a freshman coming in. ... He's going to continue to grow and get better."

Houser opened his career at Michigan State, then transferred to East Carolina and now Illinois.

Lots of wisdom built up during three stops.

Does Eisenmenger listen to him?

"Here and there," Houser said. "He's a stubborn kid. We all were. No, he's good. He takes coaching really well. I'm trying to help him as much as I can."

When Houser was a freshman, did he listen?

"Oh, no. I thought I knew everything," he said. "That's probably why I am still in college. I've kind of learned an grown."

All joking aside, Eisenmenger appreciates Houser's support.

"He's been awesome, especially in the summer he kind of took me through the playbook," Eisenmenger said. "He's great to look up to as a leader and as a person."