Illinois Football Recruiting Thread

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#251      
Pikeillinifan
How does our football NIL compare to the rest of the SEC/B1G?

Are we that far behind most? I figured we’d be in the top 25-35 in the nation for football.
 
#252      
suburbanILLINI
Indy Illini Fan said:
They've done a good but not great job HS wise IMO and losing Dennis is a big blow ... And I personally think Bret hit a couple home runs in the portal this cycle ... JC Davis is a Day 2 NFL guy right now without a doubt ... But it's a C grade at best IMO ...

Defense continues to be a concern for me ... Especially DB and DL ... DL I am gonna give it a pass because who comes in here to play behind Keith and Newton ?? We got some guys in the portal and I like what I am seeing there so far ... Keeping Gabe and Rosie was huge ...

DB however ... I have MAJOR concerns there ... Gibby eased them a little bit ... But now - very, very concerned ... I know the search is moving along in terms of next coach but we need a proven recruiter and developer ... Not some NFL guy ... IMO ... I will say that we need to get Bailey and Xavier healthy ... That will help a ton ... T Strain has taken a step forward ... I would like another proven DB out of the portal ...

I am not concerned about the offense at all ... And I think there is a chance we add a guy ... See post above ...

As far as recruiting ... I can say that in state kids interest is solid ... JC Anderson is a big fish that I think we really have a good shot at ...
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Are you able to share the reason that Dennis is leaving after 1 semester of spring ball? I'd be stunned if he thought he was coming in and starting right away
 
#253      
TentakilRex
I am not panicked, but I am very concerned right now. This post is more self-therapy than anything else.

1. We need a Bowl in the worst possible way
2. I want to have a "developmental program" but not if the Illini will be developing for other programs. We will be the Rocket City Trash Pandas of the B1G.
3. I believe Bielema was a good hire in theory (and in still in fact), but I now a bit worried he was hired the wrong time. The landscape is radically different than merely a couple of years ago.
4. I also fear (20% chance) that Josh Whitman might have misdiagnosed how bad the program was and still is. A metaphor to explain this: James Andrews might be a renowned orthopedic surgeon but I don't think he would be able to administer chemotherapy properly.
5. Boy Ron Guenther was garbage and the damage he caused might still Oregon State the program...
 
#255      
Indy Illini Fan
Pikeillinifan said:
How does our football NIL compare to the rest of the SEC/B1G?

Are we that far behind most? I figured we’d be in the top 25-35 in the nation for football.
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There are right at 70 Power 5 schools ...

For just football ... We aren't in the top 50 NIL wise ... At least based on what I've heard what we have vs. what other teams have ...
 
#256      
Indy Illini Fan
suburbanILLINI said:
Are you able to share the reason that Dennis is leaving after 1 semester of spring ball? I'd be stunned if he thought he was coming in and starting right away
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Wants to be closer to home ... That's the reasoning he gave the staff and the reason that's going to be given to the media I'm sure ...

I do think he wanted more of a role than he was going to get if we're being honest ... Maybe not start but definitely thought he'd be 6th or 7th guy ...
 
#258      
Pikeillinifan
Indy Illini Fan said:
There are right at 70 Power 5 schools ...

For just football ... We aren't in the top 50 NIL wise ... At least based on what I've heard what we have vs. what other teams have ...
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That explains a a lot, so we’re about where we’re going be with recruiting rankings. It’s going to be tough sledding if we can’t crack the top 35 or so for football NIL.
 
#259      
Indy Illini Fan
Simeon Rice said:
Another reason why in-state recruiting is so critical
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Bret does absolutely everything he can with in state recruiting and the results have showed IMO ... Big wins like Feagin, Laughery, Elzy ...

We aren't going to get the elite of the elite ... It's just not going to happen ...

But we can win some battles and I think we've proven that ...
 
#260      
Indy Illini Fan
Pikeillinifan said:
That explains a a lot, so we’re about where we’re going be with recruiting rankings. It’s going to be tough sledding if we can’t crack the top 35 or so for football NIL.
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We need to do an elite job of development ... And I don't think any of us here expect to go 10-2 every year ...

But if we can't go 6-6 year in and year out ... With the occasional 8-4 sprinkled in every 3 years or so ...

That's unacceptable ... No excuse not to win 6 games a year ...
 
#262      
BoiseBaller
Ugh. Way too many of our higher rated recruits transferring out. Need to turn things around here.
 
#264      
SoCal Illini
TentakilRex said:
Problem is the Illini might end the as Houston Roughnecks, Memphis Showboats, or even the Arlington Renegades of the college UFL
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If it happens to Illinois, it’ll happen to a lot of others as well. Roughly half or power 5 teams. Then we could go down the long road of discussing what that could mean.

It’s too early for doom and gloom. Let’s see how this season plays out. To be a decent college team you need good college players. They don’t need to be 5 star recruits or future 1st rounders…. But that is nice to have.
 
#266      
Mr. Tibbs
Indy Illini Fan said:
Wants to be closer to home ... That's the reasoning he gave the staff and the reason that's going to be given to the media I'm sure ...

I do think he wanted more of a role than he was going to get if we're being honest ... Maybe not start but definitely thought he'd be 6th or 7th guy ...
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i’ll be shocked if he doesn’t end up at MSU or UM
 
#267      
Simeon Rice
Indy Illini Fan said:
Bret does absolutely everything he can with in state recruiting and the results have showed IMO ... Big wins like Feagin, Laughery, Elzy ...

We aren't going to get the elite of the elite ... It's just not going to happen ...

But we can win some battles and I think we've proven that ...
Click to expand...

2 years ago, I would've agreed with you. Getting 2 in-state top 10 commits is fabulous. But, 2024 was a huge swing and miss, and 2025 is shaping up to be even worse if that is possible. We're not even on radars for top guys in '25.
 
#273      
SCottm
Live by the Portal, die by the portal or Win by the portal, lose by the portal. Loyalty is a two way street.
 
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