Illinois Football Recruiting Thread

[Kramer116]

Originally Posted by RHITIllini

O'Brien has been a college coach for 7 months and thinks he understands the whole thing..

I got to thinking tonight, PSU fans are crying because they got punished for letting their football program descend to a cesspool over the last 20 years and their actions finally catching up with them. Meanwhile the last 20 years, Illinois fans have ridden one of the most up and down roller coasters of football out there, more times than not having to stick out dismal seasons where they only beat FCS teams. And finally when they have a chance to pick up a guy who doesn't even want to be at Penn State anymore, PSU complains like Illinois is the big bad wolf.

Someone hopes they go 3-9? I hope they go 0-12 and appreciate the gravity of the situation and understand what it's like to not be in the status quo for a change.

Well said.

PSU used to be one of my favorite teams growing up, but screw them now.

I am going to actively root for them to lose every game. Their fan base leaves a lot to be desired. Pretty sad actually.

[mattcoldagelli]

Originally Posted by Kramer116

Their fan base leaves a lot to be desired.

You are a diplomat.

[TheChiefRises]

Forgive me if this has already been posted, as I haven't been keeping up on the previous posts, but here we go:

ESPN.com’s Joe Schad and Don Van Natta recount the scene Wednesday at State College:

[Penn State head coach Bill] O'Brien and his colleagues walked past a group of six coaches carrying University of Illinois bags and suitcases. A Penn State official told ESPN.com that no words were exchanged between O'Brien and the Illinois contingent. O'Brien declined to identify the players who have been offered up to 50 scholarships, but Illinois assistant athletic director Kent Brown acknowledged a group of Fighting Illini coaches are on Penn State's campus to recruit "a player or two—maybe more."

[calibear]

Ya Dan loved it .

[Thacher_H_Guild]

Originally Posted by DaytonIllini

We are not vultures unless you consider the guy that comes out to rescue you when you are lost at sea and in danger of drowning, a vulture.

Agreed. Plus, ESPN appears to have left an important detail out of the story. See bold.

Illinois spokesman Kent Brown confirmed that a group of assistant coaches traveled to State College on Wednesday to talk to some Nittany Lions players. Brown said Illini athletic director Mike Thomas informed Penn State of the trip and that it came after Nittany Lions players contacted the Illini.

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/201...#ixzz21j40Bt8w

That detail completely changes the meaning of the trip, and ESPN leaving it out is either VERY sloppy or intentionally selective to try to create extra drama.

[KBLEE]

Illini coaches just got called out by Mike & Mike on ESPN radio.

[AHSIllini32]

Originally Posted by KBLEE

Illini coaches just got called out by Mike & Mike on ESPN radio.

then like 7 people heard it.

[IntenselyOrange]

Originally Posted by KBLEE

Illini coaches just got called out by Mike & Mike on ESPN radio.

Negatively? These idiots in the media consistently complain about how NCAA sanctions hurt current players/coaches rather than those that commit the crimes but now they'll complain about the players being offered a way out? ESPN, like all media outlets, sensationalize everything.

[Kramer116]

Originally Posted by KBLEE

Illini coaches just got called out by Mike & Mike on ESPN radio.

Screw them.

Michigan already gets a commitment like hours after the sanctions come out, but no big deal.

This is big boy football. We followed all protocol. Nothing wrong on our part.

[Thacher_H_Guild]

Originally Posted by KBLEE

Illini coaches just got called out by Mike & Mike on ESPN radio.

What a great opportunity to have somebody from Illinois go on there and tell them we can't help it if people are calling and wanting to get on the Illini bandwagon.

[Botb9]

Originally Posted by KBLEE

Illini coaches just got called out by Mike & Mike on ESPN radio.

I've been looking around to see if I can't discover which network is hosting the Illinois-PSU matchup on September 29th. To me, ESPN talking this up makes it look to me like they are trying to create early-season headlines so that, assuming they have the matchup, they can create drama from something that is basically nothing otherwise.

[IlliniRunIn07]

I don't get how this is the least bit shady. If PSU players are allowed to transfer, and obviously some want to, why would we look bad for going to campus to recruit the ones that show an interest in us and fill an area of need? Did Penn State think no one would transfer, and agreeing to these penalties was a slick PR move? If they go 10-2 next year (they won't), will they complain that they weren't invited to the Rose Bowl?

[Botb9]

Originally Posted by IlliniRunIn07

I don't get how this is the least bit shady. If PSU players are allowed to transfer, and obviously some want to, why would we look bad for going to campus to recruit the ones that show an interest in us and fill an area of need? Did Penn State think no one would transfer, and agreeing to these penalties was a slick PR move? If they go 10-2 next year (they won't), will they complain that they weren't invited to the Rose Bowl?

It's not. It just looks "unprofessional" because it's in-conference and PSU specifically named us, rather than USC.

We're not one of the big boys, ya know.

[RHITIllini]

Originally Posted by Botb9

It's not. It just looks "unprofessional" because it's in-conference and PSU specifically named us, rather than USC.

We're not one of the big boys, ya know.

PSU is weak and they don't dare challenge someone with the clout of USC while they're down. Instead pick on someone you're used to beating.

Bad news PSU, with JoePa gone, refs won't hand you games anymore, and you're public enemy #1 in conference now.

[IntenselyOrange]

Originally Posted by RHITIllini

PSU is weak and they don't dare challenge someone with the clout of USC while they're down. Instead pick on someone you're used to beating.

Bad news PSU, with JoePa gone, refs won't hand you games anymore, and you're public enemy #1 in conference now.

Not only that, but any negative publicity they can hit us with is good for them. In their injured state, they'll likely be recruiting against Illinois for the next few years.

[Botb9]

In any case, I am quite interested to hear what Beckman is going to say today. I hope he goes ape on the first ESPN-er to bring up the article.

As far the Nits, they just need to take their lumps for now.

[RHITIllini]

Originally Posted by IntenselyOrange

Not only that, but any negative publicity they can hit us with is good for them. In their injured state, they'll likely be recruiting against Illinois for the next few years.

PSU will still recruit Eastern PA because it's probably the only place they can get kids that grew up big PSU fans who always dreamed of going there.. outside of that bubble, the perception will be very different.

[IntenselyOrange]

Originally Posted by RHITIllini

PSU will still recruit Eastern PA because it's probably the only place they can get kids that grew up big PSU fans who always dreamed of going there.. outside of that bubble, the perception will be very different.

Exactly. I would not expect us to roll into PA and get the best players. But nationally, PSU is down a notch and are most likely in the group of teams with us. They won't be winning battles with Michigan. I think that for the next year or two, we can likely beat them out in head to head recruiting battles at a pretty good clip.

[stevo99]

Originally Posted by KBLEE

Illini coaches just got called out by Mike & Mike on ESPN radio.

They have nothing original to say..EVER.

They regurgitate the same 2 or 3 stories for 4 hours every morning.

It blows my mind how Mike Greenberg became a sucess.

[RHITIllini]

Originally Posted by IntenselyOrange

Exactly. I would not expect us to roll into PA and get the best players. But nationally, PSU is down a notch and are most likely in the group of teams with us. They won't be winning battles with Michigan. I think that for the next year or two, we can likely beat them out in head to head recruiting battles at a pretty good clip.

My point though, is that I don't see us getting into many (if any) head-to-head recruiting battles with them because we don't typically recruit Eastern PA as much and with their limits on scholarships that may be the only area they focus on. They'll take a hit nationally, but I don't know that it will affect us all that much.

[FlyinIllini 11]

has there been any word or leaks on other players we are going after other than Nowicki.. i find it hard to believe we sent 6 coaches there to just talk to one player

[illinidarrin]

Originally Posted by FlyinIllini 11

has there been any word or leaks on other players we are going after other than Nowicki.. i find it hard to believe we sent 6 coaches there to just talk to one player

Thats what i wanted to know yesterday.

[Sybok]

You guys have to remember that Greenberg is a Northwestern grad. He has a dog in the hunt to make Illinois look bad. I wouldn't give .02 about what he thinks. He's always overly dramatic.

[ILLINITIM33]

Back on recruiting for a minute, does anyone know exactly how many scholarship players we have right now? I thought coach said we had a couple left after signing day and with the kids leaving and jj not qualifying I would have to think we are under 80. Also isn't beisel announcing today? What time?

[KBLEE]

Bruce Feldman ‏@BFeldmanCBS
If Silas Redd ends up going to USC, expect a walk-on who had been placed on scholarship to come back off to make room.

Sad...