Justin Bowick News, Rumors, Updates - Illinois Fighting Illini

Committing to OK State Bowick has committed to play for Oklahoma State for the 2026 season, per Matt Zenitz of CBSSports.com.

Impact Bowick will join the Cowboys following a single season with Illinois. The 6-foot-4 receiver appeared in 11 games for the Fighting Illini in 2025, catching 22 passes for 265 yards and five touchdowns. The former Eastern Illinois and Ball State transfer will retain a single year of eligibility with the Pokes.

JANUARY 8 • ROTOWIRE

Leaving Illinois Bowick will enter the transfer portal, per Matt Zenitz of CBSSports.com.

Impact Bowick is coming off one of the better performances of his 2025 season, as he scored a touchdown in the Music City Bowl win over Tennessee. The wideout should have one more season of eligibility remaining as he searches for his next program.

JANUARY 2 • ROTOWIRE

Hits pay dirt in bowl game Bowick had three receptions (on five targets) for 31 yards and one touchdown during Tuesday's 30-28 victory against Tennessee.

Impact Bowick started off Illinois' scoring with a late-first-quarter touchdown on an 18-yard pass from quarterback Luke Altmyer. While he didn't put together a ton after that, he contributed enough to help the Illini come out on top. The junior finished out 2025 with 22 catches for 265 yards and five touchdowns and still has one year of eligibility in tow.

JANUARY 2 • ROTOWIRE

Matthew Bailey, Justin Bowick and Other Illinois Injured Recovering Quickly Illini coach Bret Bielema addressed the team's injuries and expected player availability for Saturday's game at Purdue

OCTOBER 1, 2025 • SI.COM

Altmyer and Olano help No. 23 Illinois edge No. 21 Southern California 34-32

Luke Altmyer drove Illinois to David Olano’s 41-yard field goal as time expired, lifting the No. 23 Illini to a 34-32 victory over No. 21 Southern California

SEPTEMBER 27, 2025 • Associated Press

Luke Altmyer connects with Justin Bowick for 25-yard TD, extending Illinois' lead over USC

SEPTEMBER 27, 2025 • FOX SPORTS

Will face USC Bowick (undisclosed) is expected to be a full go for Saturday's game against USC, Jeremy Werner of 247Sports.com reports.

Impact Bowick has been tending to an undisclosed injury, and while he wasn't listed on the Fighting Illini's injury report in Week 4, the wideout didn't take the field. He's expected to rejoin the WR rotation in Week 5. Bowick caught seven passes for 73 yards and three touchdowns in his first two games of the season before sustaining the injury in Week 3.

SEPTEMBER 22, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Doesn't play Saturday Bowick (undisclosed) didn't play in Saturday's loss versus Indiana.

Impact It was originally reported that Bowick would play versus the Hoosiers, but he will now have to wait until at least next week's matchup versus UNC to make his return. He has caught eight passes for 86 yards and three touchdowns across the three games he's played this season.

SEPTEMBER 21, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Available vs. Hoosiers Bowick (undisclosed) is good to go against Indiana on Saturday night.

Impact Bowick isn't listed on Illinois' injury report ahead of kickoff in Bloomington, meaning the receiver will be available for a huge Week 4 showdown. That's big for Illinois, as Bowick has been a solid part of this passing game, accounting for eight catches, 86 yards and three scores through three games.

SEPTEMBER 20, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

May be available Week 4 Bowick (undisclosed) may be available during Saturday's game at Indiana, Jeremy Werner of 247Sports reports.

Impact Later, Werner confirmed that Week 3 (which includes Illinois vs. Western Michigan) is when Bowick suffered his undisclosed injury. Fortunately for him, his X-rays included a negative result. Thus, Werner may be available during Illinois' next game, currently Saturday at Indiana.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Quiet against Broncos Bowick reeled in their only target for 13 yards during Saturday's 38-0 win over Western Michigan.

Impact Bowick was one of the few Illinois players to be held quiet against Western Michigan, catching his lone target for 13 scoreless yards. The 6-foot-4 receiver had previously played a productive role within the Illinois offense, hauling in three touchdowns in the team's first two games, though his disappearance can possibly be attributed to the blowout nature of the game. Bowick will hope to turn things around when the Fighting Illini travel to face Indiana on Saturday.

SEPTEMBER 16, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Finds end zone against Blue Devils Bowick gathered in 4 of 5 targets for 50 yards and one touchdown during Saturday's 45-19 win over Duke.

Impact Bowick connected with quarterback Luke Altmyer on a four-yard scoring strike in the third quarter, giving the Fighting Illini an eight-point lead at the time. The 6-foot-4 receiver has shown a nose for the end zone, scoring three touchdowns in the team's first two games of the season. With nine targets in the same timeframe, Bowick may have enough volume to provide a semi-reliable floor to go along with his proclivity for scoring. His next opportunity will come against Western Michigan on Saturday.

SEPTEMBER 8, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Finds end zone against Blue Devils Bowick gathered in 4 of 5 targets for 50 yards and one touchdown during Saturday's 45-19 win over Duke.

SEPTEMBER 8, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

No. 11 Illinois was struggling for momentum at Duke. Then came a penalty that changed everything

No. 11 Illinois took advantage of an ill-timed penalty by Duke to extend a drive that ultimately helped change the trajectory of the game in Saturday's 45-19 road win

SEPTEMBER 6, 2025 • Associated Press

No. 11 Illinois takes over after halftime to beat mistake-prone Duke 45-19 for road win

Luke Altmyer threw for 296 yards and three touchdowns and No. 11 Illinois capitalized on a series of mistakes by Duke to beat the Blue Devils 45-19 for a road win against a power-c...

SEPTEMBER 6, 2025 • Associated Press

Scores twice in blowout opener Bowick compiled three receptions (on four targets) for 23 yards and two touchdowns during Friday's 52-3 win versus Western Illinois.

Impact Bowick connected with quarterback Luke Altmyer on a pair of touchdowns through the air against Western Illinois, from three and 13 yards out, respectively. Though the 6-foot-4 receiver managed just 23 yards on the day, multiple scores indicates that Bowick could be a major red zone target for the Fighting Illini this season, giving him value as a touchdown scorer. His next chance to return will come against Duke on Saturday.

SEPTEMBER 2, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Beatty returns punt for TD, breaks Grange's nearly 102-year-old mark in No. 12 Illini's opening rout

Hank Beatty returned a punt 69 yards for a touchdown and broke Red Grange’s nearly 102-year-old Illinois record for yards on punt returns to help the No. 12 Illini rout Western Ill...

AUGUST 30, 2025 • Associated Press

LIVE! No. 12 Illinois 31, Western Illinois 0; HALFTIME A pair of touchdowns from Justin Bowick — among plenty of other offense — helped the Illini pull away in the first half

AUGUST 30, 2025 • NEWS-GAZETTE.COM

LIVE! No. 12 Illinois 21, Western Illinois 0; 13:20 Q2 Tanner Arkin and Justin Bowick have caught early touchdown passes as Illini lead after 15 minutes

AUGUST 30, 2025 • NEWS-GAZETTE.COM

LIVE! No. 12 Illinois 14, Western Illinois 0; 3:48 Q1 Tanner Arkin and Justin Bowick have caught early touchdown passes

AUGUST 30, 2025 • NEWS-GAZETTE.COM

Illinois Football Signs Playmaking Transfer Receiver Justin Bowick The Illini inked Bowick and are in the running for a Big Ten defensive lineman currently in the portal

DECEMBER 23, 2024 • SI.COM

Headed to Illinois Bowick has announced his commitment to Illinois ahead of the 2024-25 season, Matt Zenitz of 247Sports.com reports.

Impact Bowick will join the Fighting Illini this offseason after spending one season with Ball State. The 6-foot-4 junior wideout has tallied 68 receptions for 1,132 yards and 11 touchdowns during his three-year career (Eastern Illinois and Ball State). Bowick will look to compete for a role with Illinois next season.

DECEMBER 21, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Hitting portal Bowick will enter the transfer portal, Matt Zenitz of 247Sports.com reports.

Impact Bowick played in four games this season, reeling in 20 receptions for 383 yards and three scores. The wideout elected to redshirt the remained of the year to preserve his eligibility; thus, he should have two seasons left at the program of his choice.

DECEMBER 5, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Will redshirt remainder of season Bowick will be redshirting the remainder of the season and will not play in the final two games of the season, Ball State Football Talk reports.

Impact The news comes as a surprise given Bowick is coming off back-to-back impressive performances in which he totaled 15 receptions for 319 yards and three touchdowns. The junior wide receiver will now focus on preparing for the 2025 campaign.

NOVEMBER 27, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Out Saturday Bowick (undisclosed) won't play Saturday against Bowling Green.

Impact It's a tough blow for the Cardinals' offense -- Bowick broke out with 319 yards and three touchdowns on 15 receptions in his previous two games. Cam Pickett and Qian Magwood will likely assume larger roles with Bowick sidelined. The junior wideout will look to return next week for Ball State's regular-season finale against Ohio.

NOVEMBER 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

JUSTIN BOWICK NEWS

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GAME LOG

Altmyer and Olano help No. 23 Illinois edge No. 21 Southern California 34-32

Luke Altmyer connects with Justin Bowick for 25-yard TD, extending Illinois' lead over USC

No. 11 Illinois was struggling for momentum at Duke. Then came a penalty that changed everything

No. 11 Illinois takes over after halftime to beat mistake-prone Duke 45-19 for road win

Beatty returns punt for TD, breaks Grange's nearly 102-year-old mark in No. 12 Illini's opening rout