FT35
- Naperville
Agreed. This should be looked at as a potential PR victory for the staff with an assist from Terry Hawthorne. It's unlikely Thomas will ever play a down at Illinois.
Illinois Football Recruiting Thread
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Agreed. This should be looked at as a potential PR victory for the staff with an assist from Terry Hawthorne. It's unlikely Thomas will ever play a down at Illinois.
illinidarrin
- from parts unknown
BTW, we just got our 6 crystal ball prediction.
Not going to happen, if he isn't admitted, he won't be in O&B next year...it'll go down like this:
Best Case Scenario: He is admitted, lights it up next year as true freshmen and the flood gates open for 2018 St. Louis area recruiting for Illinois. He becomes a program changer.
Worst Case Scenario: He isn't admitted, most likely ends up at Louisville. The Lovie Smith frustration with admissions begins.
If the NCAA will let Thomas play, Illinois will let Thomas play. We wouldn't be where we're standing right now if that wasn't the case.
illinidarrin
- from parts unknown
I think recruting will open up in STL area anyways if he comes here.
mhuml32
- Cincinnati, OH
Agreed, would be a huge recruiting win just to secure his commitment (regardless to whether he plays for UI)
And is he set to transfer next year?
illinidarrin
- from parts unknown
LOL, 8 predictions now for Illinois. Interesting how that works.
FT35
- Naperville
All of the Missouri predictions (that are left) seemed to happen around when Estes committed to Missouri.
All of these Illinois predictions are coming after that article listing Illinois as the "leader" was posted this morning.
I'm willing to bet a shiny nickel that these "experts" don't have any more insight on this than what we already know. I mean, Missouri wasn't even on Thomas's latest list of schools he's considering and look at where the CB predictions were at yesterday.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
I will never forget Vontae running down that USC guy in the Rose Bowl ... it was JUST when everything was going downhill; that Trojans player should have absolutely scored on that huge run (I think it was right after we thought it was an incomplete pass but it got ruled a lateral?), but Davis TRACKED him down, haha.
Anyway, this would be huge! Lovie needs some momentum.
He'd be a junior, needs an associate's degree to transfer in. And enough B1G approved course credits.
FT35
- Naperville
This would be a HUGE get for Lovie. However, let's not forget that Terry Hawthorne, who Thomas considers to be his mentor, is the DB coach at ESL.
Lovie is out there on the recruiting trail working hard. The next couple of months could be very interesting.
BananaShampoo
Captain 'Paign
- Phoenix, AZ
If we get Thomas, we'd have possibly the most talented and fasted receiving corps in the B1G coming in with him, Smalling, and a healthy Dudek (knock on wood), plus an upperclassman Turner. That would have to open some top-notch QB's eyes, wouldn't it? Not to mention the chance to work under some top-level coaches.
Not to mention Green and the possible addition of Reggie Roberson.
We'd be young but absolutely loaded at WR.
BananaShampoo
Captain 'Paign
- Phoenix, AZ
Oh yeah, Forgot about Green. :thumb:
ivwilsoniv
- Aurora, IL
Was lucky enough to see that in person. I believe that was Joe McKnight that he ran down? Very impressive.
ivwilsoniv
- Aurora, IL
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I was waiting for someone to post a vid of that. Vontae just hawked that dude. Tough to see Antonio Steele get burned for the td in that highlight. He was one funny dude.
It absolutely did.
The score is somewhat deceiving in that it was 21-10 and Illinois was knocking on door to score until a Jacob Willis fumble led to to the above play led to making it 28-10 and the game got out of control.
USC was absolutely loaded and many thought they were the best team in country that year. It shows how much talent we were bringing in and the epic fall that happened afterwards
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ivwilsoniv
- Aurora, IL
Yep - that was always the turning point. Would've been 21-17 with momentum in
favor, but it just wasn't meant to be. Still an amazing experience for me and my college friends. An unforgettable few days in California.Way to see the bright side. That video was not fun to watch. Was there in person too. We look so slow in that video, and that was one of the fastest Illinois teams I can remember.
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