mhuml32
- Cincinnati, OH
Illinois Football Recruiting Thread
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I would disagree.
Deleted member 656517
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Even if he still holds his commitment to A&M which we all expect, it sets us up as the front runner school should he ever decide to transfer
I noticed that the kid, not the recruiter tweeted out this photo. I think Illinois has a good chance of getting this talented player. The kid is weighing his options and may very well end up in Champaign. Don't count out the Illini.
I, unfortunately, will count us out. He’s not flipping.
Actually I was thinking the same thing and that was my point on available (to us),I just wasn't very clear. Personally I don't think there is that big of difference between 1 or 2 yr grads on expectations...all are leaving looking for a better opportunity, clearer path to playing time, bigger stage,and/ or some issue/conflict/coaching change that isn't working for them, but I think playing time is at the heart of almost all of the grad transfers.
Last year we were ripe & needed a starter at QB, OL, 2 WR, DL...we had a very good sell on playing time if they showed up with pulse most of the grad transfers knew they were in the mix to start or play a major role. This year the holes aren't as gaping and I think it is going to be harder to find kids that see as much opportunity. I'm just not convinced our playing time sell is nearly as good and the interested takers will be smaller & we won't be able to be that picky on 1 yr vs 2yr.
But all that said, I think it gets real simple, you look at the kids that you can get & decide if they make you a better football team vs. adding a freshman...if they help you, then you take them.
Deleted member 649710
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Can someone explain to me why a committed kid would go out of his way to broadcast that he is playing footsie with a rival school?
You’re asking to delve into the rationale of why 18 year old kids do what they do on social media? There’s no answer for that.
And I don’t think we’re a rival school to Texas A&M. At least no one down there would see it that way.
So, A&M takes it for granted he will sign with them.
We show him the love all the way to signing day.
Love vs. Taken for granted. Hmmm...
ivwilsoniv
- Aurora, IL
You have no knowledge of how much love A&M is showing him. Why are you assuming that TAMU is taking him for granted?
East St Louis has ton of talent in the pipeline so it is worth it for staff to recruit there even if they slim/no chance. I would recruit the hell out of Antonio and Spraggins and make them say no. Neither is happening, but may just slightly position us better for some of the talented prospects in the next few classes.
Illinois has a chance with AJ. Some of the Coaches on ESL staff is pushing for Illinois. He is committed to A&M but it is not 100% done yet.
AJ's listening to us, he'll even come visit but he's going to sign with A&M.
Don't underestimate how EXTREMELY close I am to this situation.
So long as you don't underestimate how close I am to the program at College Station, deal.
Deleted member 654622
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Everyone remember all the work AHS put into Bishop Dunn H.S. and that WR that didn't sign with us? We ended up with Calvin Avery, Kievan Meyers and THEE Marquis Beason over the next two years. Ya keep recruiting kids regardless
Cool, I will take knowing the kid over knowing a college program! (Hint) lol.
This.
ESL has a number of kids that are going to be fantastic recruits over the next 2-4 cycles. If we turn Cory loose out there and we only end up with 1 kid, that's still 1 kid our program wouldn't normally land. That should always be the end goal.
Deleted member 654622
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I've been doing this a long time. If I had a dollar for every time someone knew a kid, I wouldn't have needed the job all these years. And that's not a shot at ya, truly, it's simply fact of life when it comes to HS recruiting. There's a friend, a cousin, an uncle (There's always an uncle) who just KNOWS what's going to happen and is more than willing to play the insider for ya. Then you get burned a few times and figure touching the stove isn't all that worth it. Johnson could flip tomorrow and this still wouldn't change.
Fun but tiring.
Deleted member 654622
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Well I for one am going to stop dreaming of a flip with this AJ
Another kid we took our best shot with.
The reality is that these are 16, 17, and 18 year old kids. I am around them every day as a teacher. Their minds change about things all the time. I suspect he will still sign with A&M this late in the game. While I appreciate your insights on some of these recruiting situations, your attitude needs to be more like 0440. He has insider knowledge but doesn't act like any other opinion or thought is wrong and stupid. To be honest, it gets a little annoying to see how condescending you can be. I still want to see your take on certain situations, but not at the expense of shutting everyone else down who might have a little hope that a kid who will probably have a hard time choosing what to eat at lunch today might still consider Illinois. Just my 2 cents.
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