'I'll be ready for fall camp': Illinois QB Artur Sitkowski talks recovery process
Artur Sitkowski had a tough offseason following the 2021 campaign, recovering from two unrelated surgeries. Now that spring ball is underway in Champaign, the quarterback is getting back into a rhythm, even if it’s at a slower pace.
Sitkowski talked about his recovery on Tuesday while speaking with reporters. The quarterback is recovering from two surgeries — one to his left arm he suffered in Illinois’ win over Penn State and another to his right shoulder, which had been a lingering issue.
The Illinois quarterback things are going well, though he’s having to work back into things gradually.
“Good! Recovery is going well, rehab is going good. I just started throwing two weeks ago,” Sitkowski said. “Right now, I’m in an early phase in throwing progression, really early phase. It’s like an 11-step process and that’s all done by the doctors.
“I leave it up to them. I do what they tell me to do. It’s a process that’s done methodically and done the right way.”
Sitkowski and Brandon Peters shared duties at quarterback throughout the 2021 season. Sitkowski ended last season with 704 yards and 6 touchdowns while appearing in 5 games for the Fighting Illini.
Illinois is looking to see some major improvement at the quarterback position. Bret Bielema brought in former Syracuse quarterback Tommy DeVito via the transfer portal, creating some competition for the position.
But will Sitkowski be healed and ready to challenge for the starting job by the time fall camp rolls around? He says he will.
“I know what the end goal is and that’s to be ready for fall camp,” Sitkowski said. “And I’ll be ready for fall camp.”