Is he a grad transfer? If he hasn't graduated he must sit out a year, right? If he has graduated already, how can he get a scholarship for next year but not have it count until the 2019 class? Won't he be gone by 2019?
Looking ahead to 2018
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Is he a grad transfer? If he hasn't graduated he must sit out a year, right? If he has graduated already, how can he get a scholarship for next year but not have it count until the 2019 class? Won't he be gone by 2019?
Does this mean we are out of the running for Brandon Dawkins from U of Az?
Who is the better QB of the two (Dawkins or Bush)?
Who is the better QB of the two (Dawkins or Bush)?
I read somewhere he is going to be a "blue shirt". So he will not be able to participate until late summer and scholarship will count towards 2019. Don't get me wrong, I will be rooting for the kid, but will he really be ready to play right away? Looks like to me Cam Thomas would have a clear advantage to the starting spot with having participated in spring ball. Also, I thought the 2019 class was already going to be small. I guess it means 2 freshman will redshirt? Anybody have any thoughts on the situation?
Dawkins is much better. We can take this to believe that Dawkins turned us down and we went to plan B.
Sal Iacuzzo
- Yonkers, NY
well he managed to throw 11 passes last year without a pick so he is def ahead of thomas there
Bush looks like he can be the starter, just tore up UNC who dominated us. Either way good to add depth at that position. Rivers likely the long-term prospect.
I hope that translates. But 4 out of 5 of Thomas's pick were against top 20 teams. Not 1 of Bush's pass attempts was against competition near that level. I think I will just have to trust the coaches that this was the best use of scholarships.
Deleted member 654622
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I am taking this as the coaching staff knows they need to get more wins this year so they can get that top 20 recruiting class. They don't want it to be Cam or nothing. I believe they have a great sell to recruits, which has gotten us some pretty good players. However, to get a full competitive class, they need wins to pull in other guys and seal the deal. He is going to Blue Shirt so it will count for next year. I agree that Dawkins would be a much better pickup and this is plan B. But if we somehow can get 4 or 5 wins, that will prove to our top targets that this program is getting turned around. I will take a smaller class if it includes:
Isaiah Williams, Marquez Beason (YES), Jason Bargy, Shammond Cooper and Jack Bufford. That is a lot of quality and a real possibility!
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He's a grad transfer - played mostly in blowout/garbage situations last year at Tech - for the most part when he did come in, he came was effective right away - so worse case - good backup option. He was caught behind a talented Frosh Josh Jackson. Experience-wise he's ahead of our current group running a quicker offense. Word is very athletic.
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I wonder if he is plan B or we just didn't want to wait on Dawkins any more.
Dawkins saw the opportunity and wasn't all over it. To me, this is surprising and calls into question his decision making.
He had a chance to be the number 1 guy in a familiar offense for a team that would highlight his talent on offense and no one under him that would legitimately challenge his role as starter. And, he slow played it/questioned whether or not he wanted to go for it.
Though we need someone at QB, Lovie and staff have some time and it looks like we will have a solid qb recruit for 2018 and 2019. I think go for the person that wants to be here and build the culture.
I think this was a mistake on Dawkins part. I don't imagine he will have a better scenario to walk into. I hope I am wrong and Dawkins goes on to have a successful final year. But, I have to wonder what he was thinking.
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
Thanks for the info. Grabbing a grad transfer QB was definitely the right call. Guess there was a fly in the ointment with Dawkins. Bush is a good backup plan (to Dawkins). Hopefully, this will allow us to redshirt all the incoming QBs.
Unfortunately this guy had a 46% completion rate at the JUCO levels. Hope better coaching and more talented receivers who can get open and go after balls improves that number.
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
Too late to edit. Just want to add: Hopefully, this will allow us to redshirt all the incoming QBs, unless one emerges as the guy.
Someone care to explain how a grad transfer that is only playing 2018 can be ruled a blue shirt 2019 scholarship?
On the addition, clearly they wanted a grad transfer quarterback. Guessing this means that Dawkins either didn't want to come out here (he's from California) or just wasn't ready to decide and Bush pounced on the offer. No downside to this signing, although I think I read that since he is a "blue shirt" he can't start practice until the fall. That could make it difficult to have him ready by the first game.
On the addition, clearly they wanted a grad transfer quarterback. Guessing this means that Dawkins either didn't want to come out here (he's from California) or just wasn't ready to decide and Bush pounced on the offer. No downside to this signing, although I think I read that since he is a "blue shirt" he can't start practice until the fall. That could make it difficult to have him ready by the first game.
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
Good point about when Bush is allowed to start practicing with the team. Anyone know the exact date? Am assuming it's when the team starts practicing in August. Meanwhile, he'll have the playbook and time to forge a relationship with our OC (by phone, 'til he gets to CU).
I like this response. I don't fault Dawkins for anything. I think he could go to another program and potentially win more games. Although, i think we would have maybe won 4-6 more games with him last season. He could want to stay on the West Coast. I certainly wanted to stay on the west coast. I think I was trying to speak from the standpoint of opportunity and what we need in the program. I want him to do what is best for him. I think that is the ideal scenario.
From the standpoint of the rebuild: Dawkins could have personal reasons for not wanting to come to Illinois (or at least waffling on Illinois). This would be a good reason to go with someone else. I think someone that is only partially committed could kill the culture and ultimately the rebuild.
Although lots of players would be great for our program, what we need right now, is to build a culture where people expect to win and where people are pulling together to turn the program around. I believe it is very different. When Beason stated that him and Williams could turn the program around, it was clear that he knew what he was in for and that to him turning the program around was worth a lot. Not everyone wants to do that. Some people want to work in a tried and true system. The opportunity here is to turn a program around. We need people that want that. That will be driven by that.
For Dawkins, I think he has a unique situation with Illinois. He is coming at a time when the pieces are there but not put together. He would be one of the few people that know the intricacies of the system and would be showcased. If he wants to make a statement in Football, there is no better opportunity. Now if he wants to try to win a national title, we certainly won't be in contention next year. But I'm not sure that he will find a place like that, but we are certainly not it. We are also not the west coast and we have no certainty or guarantees. I am sure that he will choose what he thinks is best for him. But to me, from the standpoint of opportunity, I'm not sure there is a better one for him to showcase his talents and skills.
Let’s talk depth chart.... any guesses?
Deleted member 654622
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If we are talking QBs, my guess is going to be
1. AJ Bush
2. Cam Thomas
3. MJ Rivers (I hope he can redshirt)
1. AJ Bush
2. Cam Thomas
3. MJ Rivers (I hope he can redshirt)
Taylor not even top 3?
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
We have one more blue shirt left. Not giving up hope for the Arizona QB.
Probably right. Coran and MJ are a toss up I think. Honestly, between all four, I could see anyone of them breaking out. Competition will be a good thing.
What about the other 21 positions...
Don't forget Matthew Robinson either! My guess is to START the season is:
1) Cam Thomas
2) AJ Bush
3) Mj Rivers
4) Coran Taylor
5) Matthew Robinson
By the end of the season any one of those QBs could be the guy. Robinson's tape is far more impressive than his ranking, MJ can do it all, and Coran seems like a gutsy leader and durable QB. Unless Cam has improved a lot this offseason (very possible) then I believe that one of the freshmen will be starting by game 5 or 6. I do not see much out of Bush yet.
How many of those guys are athletic enough to change positions if it doesn’t work out?
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I just think MJ is the total package as compared to everyone else that either is a great runner but subpar thrower, or can throw and is quick but just doesn't have the size. I don't think Cam surpasses AJ even though he is getting that extra time this spring. AJ has a lot of college years under his belt, which does go a long way.
Deleted member 654622
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Cam and Coran are def athletic enough to change positions. Transfer is the more likely choice for some of those I would think.
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