Jimmy Fitzgerald transferring from Illinois

#26      
So this class needs to sign 2dual threat qbs huh?? Maybe a transfer....Illinois has faired a little better with dual threat qbs here
 
#27      
well, you need to have at least 3 or 4 on the depth chart.

Does Man Berg still have eligibility ?

Manberg is on roster as a we I'm guessing for depth... I hope zareian Holcombe goes back to the he's a lil too slow for we but doesn't weight enough for the he can bulk up tho
 
#28      
Losing two backup QB's before the season within 2 months of each other says that they both have solid reasons to leave. Most likely they see the writing on the wall, that the "heir apparent" is Jeff George, Jr. In other words, it's his future job to lose. I think we're going to see that he will be the backup this year and will take over next year. Just my thoughts. No crystal ball but if you look at all the information, it's not rocket science to see how this is going to play out.
 
#29      
Most likely they see the writing on the wall, that the "heir apparent" is Jeff George, Jr.

No. The heir apparent is a 2018 recruit to be named later, and the caretaker is going to be whomever can best perform the dual-threat role that is the direction we are headed under McGee. JG2 is probably the least likely guy to be our 2017 starter at this point (though not unthinkable either, it's still up in the air). What's clear is that McGee was going to be asking something of Fitzgerald that he didn't think maximized his talents.

(Lol, I just realized that there's an alternate universe where Aaron Bailey would be a redshirt junior for us this year. Ohhhhhh wellllllll :hand:)
 
#30      
No. The heir apparent is a 2018 recruit to be named later, and the caretaker is going to be whomever can best perform the dual-threat role that is the direction we are headed under McGee. JG2 is probably the least likely guy to be our 2017 starter at this point (though not unthinkable either, it's still up in the air). What's clear is that McGee was going to be asking something of Fitzgerald that he didn't think maximized his talents.

(Lol, I just realized that there's an alternate universe where Aaron Bailey would be a redshirt junior for us this year. Ohhhhhh wellllllll :hand:)

There will be a dual threat qb starter forever more after this season...I can see Jeff George transferring honestly
 
#31      
There will be a dual threat qb starter forever more after this season...I can see Jeff George transferring honestly

Maybe but right now JR is line to start next year. With the offense not having to adjust much with him being similar to Lunt. It may be another year or more before a dual threat takes over.
 
#32      
Maybe but right now JR is line to start next year. With the offense not having to adjust much with him being similar to Lunt. It may be another year or more before a dual threat takes over.

That's why LOVIE and McGee got cam Thomas cause they don't want a pocket guy.....if crouch starts these next two yrs cam will have redshirted and will be ready.....they want a dual threat guy like at louisville
 
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#33      
Maybe but right now JR is line to start next year. With the offense not having to adjust much with him being similar to Lunt. It may be another year or more before a dual threat takes over.

We don't know anything for a fact, but the tea leaves seem to indicate that you're wrong here.

If the timeline was more flexible, why wouldn't Fitzgerald have stayed? The idea that JG2 just beat him out is not really based on anything, the practice reports I have read tended to indicate the exact opposite.
 
#34      
We don't know anything for a fact, but the tea leaves seem to indicate that you're wrong here.

If the timeline was more flexible, why wouldn't Fitzgerald have stayed? The idea that JG2 just beat him out is not really based on anything, the practice reports I have read tended to indicate the exact opposite.

The tea leaves from info I'm not allowed to post due to board guidelines say I'm right. Fitz left because he was behind JR and Crouch. He never would have played. Obviously, they do want a dual great qb and are getting them. But for right now, it looks like a pocket passer is what we have.
 
#35      
We don't know anything for a fact, but the tea leaves seem to indicate that you're wrong here.

If the timeline was more flexible, why wouldn't Fitzgerald have stayed? The idea that JG2 just beat him out is not really based on anything, the practice reports I have read tended to indicate the exact opposite.

Right....mussat peters and fitz left because they know this offense is set to be more run oriented....

As much as George is j Georges son and he's a former ILLINI is prob the only reason George is staying here now....not saying he isn't good...but crouch is perfect for the offense McGee wants to run like in Louisville hes kinda tebow-esque...that's why they've been recruiting dual threat qbs the last four McGee recruited here were dual threats
 
#36      

Double Down

Chicago, IL
I hope we are not relying on Cam Thomas to be the future here. He is a QB who as JR in HS led his team to a 1-8 season. 1-8! I know this is a team sport but a dominant D-1 dual threat QB should be able to lead a team to more than 10 pts a game.
 
#37      
I would be surprised if JG Jr was the long term QB. And, regardless of his talent level, I'm honestly not sure I want him to be.

We just made Garrick McGee the most highly paid OC in the Big Ten. For him to go 3-4 years without being able to play the style he wants to play doesn't seem like much of an idea.

It calls to mind the uncomfortable arrangement of Brady Hoke inheriting Denard Robinson and Devin Gardner. He landed the big pro-style guy in Shane Morris in his second full recruiting class, same as whatever 2018 guy we come up with would be, but Hoke never made it long enough to coach him because the marriage of his style to the guys he inherited never worked.

I doubt Lovie is gone that fast, but McGee could be. And then if we zig back to pro-style again and leave the next guy with a roster full of runners? This is no way to build a program.

Lunt as the 2016 QB was already an inevitability when Lovie arrived in March. There was just no other way, and Lunt himself is just physically incapable of even taking baby steps towards a more dual threat system. But going forward, my advice would be become the team you're going to be, leftover roster be damned.
 
#38      
I would be surprised if JG Jr was the long term QB. And, regardless of his talent level, I'm honestly not sure I want him to be.

We just made Garrick McGee the most highly paid OC in the Big Ten. For him to go 3-4 years without being able to play the style he wants to play doesn't seem like much of an idea.

It calls to mind the uncomfortable arrangement of Brady Hoke inheriting Denard Robinson and Devin Gardner. He landed the big pro-style guy in Shane Morris in his second full recruiting class, same as whatever 2018 guy we come up with would be, but Hoke never made it long enough to coach him because the marriage of his style to the guys he inherited never worked.

I doubt Lovie is gone that fast, but McGee could be. And then if we zig back to pro-style again and leave the next guy with a roster full of runners? This is no way to build a program.

Lunt as the 2016 QB was already an inevitability when Lovie arrived in March. There was just no other way, and Lunt himself is just physically incapable of even taking baby steps towards a more dual threat system. But going forward, my advice would be become the team you're going to be, leftover roster be damned.

Agreed a lot guys from cubits class may never play....LOVIE and crew will recruit over them more likely....we are GOIN with a dual threat guy for a reason don't be surprised if we take two qbs this class
 
#40      
I would not be at all, but I haven't heard of us even being involved with anyone else. Juco maybe?

They want cam to be the guy the other 3 guys they offered went else where
Crouch 2 yrs and can Thomas three yrs the offered a 2018 kid as well so that let's you know kinda what they want
 
#42      
From what we've seen and heard, that's not a super appealing thought. Unless Crouch is knocking your socks off, you need YOUR GUY under center sooner rather than later.

Juice Williams wasn't the greatest passer but his run threat made defenses respect the fact that he was still a threat to throw.....I don't expect cam thomas to start as a true freshman but McGee and LOVIE want him to be the guy the qb of the future....he reminds a lot of Nate scheelhasse
 
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#43      
The thing with Crouch is he is a very good runner. But he makes Juice Williams look like Peyton Manning. Crouch is a bad passer. Not mediocre but bad.
 
#45      
But he makes Juice Williams look like Peyton Manning. Crouch is a bad passer. Not mediocre but bad.

That's what we've heard and seen.

You don't just yada yada two seasons of the most important position in this or indeed any sport. Especially not years 2 and 3 of the Lovie era. Answers going forward are required.

My best guess would be that we'll be looking at the 5th year transfer/Juco market, neither of which is going to heat up very soon. Hopefully someone that can graduate in December and go through spring ball.

I think they do like Cam Thomas as a developmental prospect, but the thought of him out there as a true freshman is frightening.
 
#46      
That's what we've heard and seen.

You don't just yada yada two seasons of the most important position in this or indeed any sport. Especially not years 2 and 3 of the Lovie era. Answers going forward are required.

My best guess would be that we'll be looking at the 5th year transfer/Juco market, neither of which is going to heat up very soon. Hopefully someone that can graduate in December and go through spring ball.

I think they do like Cam Thomas as a developmental prospect, but the thought of him out there as a true freshman is frightening.

Expect LOVIE and company to try to put together 7 win season to score a southern dual threat guy....they'll be selling the qb competition to be open...just to get a guy to commit.....I bet jimmy fitz prolly heads to niu
 
#47      
Cam would have grad early to come in and try to be ready for the season...no way he comes in like that and starts...unless he's just better.....
 
#48      
I would be shocked if Can Thomas was out there as a freshman. I do like what I've seen from him and I know he's made great progress in recent months leading up to his offer. That's why I believe Jr is the start while Cam redshirts and then maybe they have open competition. Of course it could be open competition come next year and maybe Thomas comes in and lights it up. He may not light it up for his school. I know someone mentioned his teams record. He can only do so much when he's on such a bad team.
 
#49      
I would be shocked if Can Thomas was out there as a freshman. I do like what I've seen from him and I know he's made great progress in recent months leading up to his offer. That's why I believe Jr is the start while Cam redshirts and then maybe they have open competition. Of course it could be open competition come next year and maybe Thomas comes in and lights it up. He may not light it up for his school. I know someone mentioned his teams record. He can only do so much when he's on such a bad team.

Yeah on a bad team he's still manages to play well....and at camp he was impressive I had the chance to see his arm....good are and a tall kid..needs to add 15-20 lbs tho.....

If George starts I want it to be because he was better than the rest....and not just caused his dad was a star here!
 
#50      
Yeah on a bad team he's still manages to play well....and at camp he was impressive I had the chance to see his arm....good are and a tall kid..needs to add 15-20 lbs tho.....

If George starts I want it to be because he was better than the rest....and not just caused his dad was a star here!

I agree. I don't think anything will given to him. But he may just have his dad's arm and that might win us a lot of games.