Illinois Football Recruiting Thread

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#231      

Simeon Rice

S
Simeon Rice
It's a bit too early to start talking about coaching changes, but there's an undoubtable trend that occurs prior to a said change and that is a real downturn with regards to recruiting. Happened with Turner, was night/day with Zook, same with Lovie. Bielema's 2nd UI class showed a bunch of promise and make significant traction in-state. That said, I just don't know if a 'developmental' staff can consistently succeed in this NIL/portal era. But, it's clear we're struggling with prep recruiting and portal recruiting seems like a net negative (more outgoing than incoming talent) with this staff
 
#232      

SoCal Illini

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SoCal Illini
All this transferring has to affect quality of play. Not sure to what extent, as I don’t even know how you’d quantify it. Some offenses take years to learn and be able to make the right decision in a split second. Qbs of course, but also receiver, backs, and the o line. And all 11 need to make the right decision on the same play.

Schemes would need to be dumbed down or just universal, negating the ‘better coached’ advantage. It’ll just be who has the faster horses. I’ve seen a high level HS top recruit who apparently was just told, there’s your guy, guard him. Didn’t know what cover 2 was. With practice and I think even film-time limits, if you have to start in college by teaching basic conceptual football 101 (technique is a different deal), then I don’t know how you can have a cohesive unit that does anything except basic schemes. If you implement anything sophisticated, you’ll get blown coverages, missed assignments, etc… Transferring all the time I can’t imagine helps that either.

There are people more knowledgeable than myself that have publicly commented on quality of football today. I wonder how much all this player movement contributes
 
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#235      

ChiefGritty

ChiefGritty
Chicago, IL
ChiefGritty
Simeon Rice said:
It's a bit too early to start talking about coaching changes, but there's an undoubtable trend that occurs prior to a said change and that is a real downturn with regards to recruiting. Happened with Turner, was night/day with Zook, same with Lovie. Bielema's 2nd UI class showed a bunch of promise and make significant traction in-state. That said, I just don't know if a 'developmental' staff can consistently succeed in this NIL/portal era. But, it's clear we're struggling with prep recruiting and portal recruiting seems like a net negative (more outgoing than incoming talent) with this staff
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BB is so thoughtful and intentional about the way he deals with these questions that I have a lot of confidence and patience with him fine-tuning the approach, but that does not mean the new world might not mean a theory so different that BB no longer makes a ton of sense. He is a specific type of coach.

The "check engine" light is on for the program, there's no question. Our inflow cannot sustain the kind of outflow we're seeing, the whole machine was premised on this not happening.
 
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#236      

SoCal Illini

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SoCal Illini
GallopingGhost said:
Very sad state of affairs, this football program. Can’t build anything positive without talent or continuity and… we seem to have neither.
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Do any of the middle of road teams? How much different is it at an Illinois than a Purdue, Minnesota, Rutgers…? I know ucla is in shambles for example, so it can’t be as bad as over there.

Seems like we’ll need to have short memories, quick to welcome and quick to forget, and just see what happens YoY. Could go 2-10 one year and 10-2 the next.
 
#237      

Battle89

Battle89
Battle89
ChiefGritty said:
BB is so thoughtful and intentional about the way he deals with these questions that I have a lot of confidence and patience with him fine-tuning the approach, but that does not mean the new world might not mean a theory so different that BB no longer makes a ton of sense. He is a specific type of coach.

The "check engine" light is on for the program, there's no question. Our inflow cannot sustain the kind of outflow we're seeing, the whole machine was premised on this not happening.
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The portal giveth and the portal taketh away.

In hoops the MACs and the MVCs are the feeders for Illinois. In football we are the feeders for the mid- and upper-echelon of the SEC and the B1G (if not the top of the B12 or ACC).
 
#240      

Simeon Rice

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Simeon Rice
SoCal Illini said:
Do any of the middle of road teams? How much different is it at an Illinois than a Purdue, Minnesota, Rutgers…? I know ucla is in shambles for example, so it can’t be as bad as over there.
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Purdue has a top 50 overall player committed, Minnesota has the top in-state player committed. Both had significantly better '24 classes than us as well
 
#242      

jimbo72

J
jimbo72
Just a guess, but this big man expected to come in and be in 2 deep on depth chart. Didn't happen so he takes his ball and goes home. So be it, good riddance.
 
#243      

TheodoreRex

T
TheodoreRex
An already mediocre recruiting class just lost by far the most talented and coveted player. Dennis was the start of the type of players we HAVE to get more of and instead of adding, we just lost him. Perception from this loss also hurts just as much as the loss itself.
 
#244      

GallopingGhost

GallopingGhost
Denver, CO
GallopingGhost
SoCal Illini said:
Do any of the middle of road teams? How much different is it at an Illinois than a Purdue, Minnesota, Rutgers…? I know ucla is in shambles for example, so it can’t be as bad as over there.

Seems like we’ll need to have short memories, quick to welcome and quick to forget, and just see what happens YoY. Could go 2-10 one year and 10-2 the next.
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From the looks of it we may have more 2-10 years than 10-2. A successful program to me would be making a bowl year in and out. I would settle for that.

I don’t even think Bret can get us there. We are gonna be a punching bang team for the forseeable future.
 
#247      

Mr. Tibbs

Mr. Tibbs
southeast DuPage
Mr. Tibbs
its hard to say about the future for teams like ours

so much rides on the quality of play from the QB. im not even sure we have that guy yet. maybe Luke is that guy, but maybe not
if he or Leary can play well , we can win 6 or 7 . then if Petty sticks around, maybe hes the one for 2025 or 2026
its been years since we have had a really good QB. it all starts there and then 2-3 guys who can catch and 2 guys who can run the ball
yea, line play and defense counts too
 
#248      

Indy Illini Fan

Indy Illini Fan
Indy Illini Fan
DocMorgan said:
In my humble opinion, it is pretty telling that it has been crickets from our "insiders" regarding football recruiting compared to basketball recruiting. Does not appear very good. Was very hopeful a couple of years ago...today, not so much. I hope I am wrong.
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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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