J.W Believes Lawson has a great chance to come start right away....their juco coach said hes def talented and more athletic than most players on our roster....
However if he had a yr to redshirt he'd be even a scarier weapon
That's like the opposite of what he said, he said if Illinois is wise they sit him until he's ready, let him mature first before throwing him to the wolves.
Seeing the issues at Indiana and Minnesota, plus home games against Rutgers and Northwestern, the schedule could help Illinois out.
Should win: Rutgers + Ball State
Could win: WKU + Purdue + Indiana + Northwestern + Minnesota
Should lose: USF + Nebraska + Iowa
Will lose: Ohio State + Wisconsin
I'll predict 4-8, but 5-7 would have me very optimistic about Lovie's coaching ability.
I probably wouldn't move it to a "should win" yet but Minnesota is reeling big time with this horrific scandal. They have a coach hanging by a thread who just vocally supported skipping a bowl in solidarity of 10 players currently suspended. Those 10 players are almost assuredly done at Minnesota which blows a huge hole in their depth chart. I can't imagine that their recruiting class and current roster won't be hit after this scandal either.
Minnesota will probably be falling down the conference ladder with Claeys as coach. I am still wondering on Wisconsin and how much of it leftover Gary Anderson and Aranda talent. Nebraska seems to be getting stronger. We could pretty easily be the third most talented team in the B1G west by the start of 2018 if Lovie keeps recruiting like this. Next year will be tough but the 2015 class will be in their fourth year and 2 classes of Lovie's recruits
Just read this awesome article on lovie. Although I certainly agree with the author, I couldn't be happier he got the short stick with both of his previous jobs, because now we get him.
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/lovie-smith-jeff-fisher-line-credit-article-1.2920092
Just read this awesome article on lovie. Although I certainly agree with the author, I couldn't be happier he got the short stick with both of his previous jobs, because now we get him.
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/lovie-smith-jeff-fisher-line-credit-article-1.2920092
will be a junior ... but can ask for a 6th year (and I assume it would be granted pretty easily...)
Got it. So when would the asking for a 6th year take place? Prior to this upcoming season I would assume?
A player ordinarily gets 5 years to play 4 seasons. The clock started for Dudek in 2014. Dudek's 5th year will be in 2018 and he would request a waiver for a 6th year (2019) after that year is completed.
If he gets to that point the waiver should be granted. Jon Beutjer and Eric Block were granted an extra year for non-medical reasons.
For curiosities' sake, why were they given a 6th year if it was non-medical related?
Beutjer - Issues related to his transfer from Iowa:
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2004-01-24/sports/0401240299_1_jon-beutjer-athletes-illinois
Block - Hurricane Katrina (He's from the New Orleans area). He played sparingly in 2005 but was granted an extra year and played in 2009. I misspoke in saying that he got a "6th year" because he never redshirted. He was simply granted an extra year and participated in five seasons:
http://fightingillini.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=2782
Trenard Davis is Cain's cousin and I haven't heard anything about him?
I feel like there was talk of Cam Thomas enrolling this spring. Is that happening or am I completely making it up?
He's probably the #2 QB at Spring ball, right?
Lunt gone, Crouch hurt, Lawson and Thomas not here yet.
Yikes, no wonder they're trying to get this out of the way in February. I wonder if the NCAA would let Nate Scheelhaase suit up and run some drills with the guys, you need QB's just to get balls in the air for your skill players to practice.