06/09/26 Hour 1: Illinois Football lands 3-Star Quarterback Sladen Slack - what you need to know; Cardinals vs Mets and Cubs vs Rockies Preview

The Drive on ESPN 93.5 dives into a major Illinois football recruiting coup: three-star quarterback Slayton Shaq, a 6'1", 215-pound senior from Mississippi, has committed to join the Illini for the 2027 season. Hosts Curtis Allen and Evan Stone break down his impressive sophomore stats—2,400 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, just five interceptions—and highlight his advanced decision-making, pocket presence, and ability to play ahead of his age. They emphasize that while he’s not a blue-chip prospect yet, his development under head coach Bret Bielema and the transfer-heavy Illinois program could turn him into a starter. The conversation then pivots to the controversial eligibility of Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Soresby, whose judge-ordered reinstatement has sparked debate over whether the Big Ten should ban Texas Tech across all sports. The hosts express relief that Illinois isn’t dependent on such a high-stakes athlete, calling it a 'can of worms' that could ripple through college athletics. They also preview upcoming MLB matchups between the Cardinals and Mets, and the Cubs and Rockies, offering analysis on both teams’ soft schedules and player regressions, while poking fun at the 'water finds its level' theory. The episode is laced with humor, including a chaotic attempt to master the Game Changer app for IHSA baseball and a running joke about the name 'Slayton Shaq'—which they jokingly dub 'Shaq Attack.'