Illinois OC Search

[ChiefGritty]

Yes, committed to Texas State Bobcats on Dec. 12th. While it might seem sketchy, can he reenter the portal again? Who'd blame a kid for going after a starting chance with a Power 5 school (he did turn down his only scholarship offer out of H.S. (Arkansas State) to be a PWO at Alabama)?
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Had acceptable numbers at Arkansas State this past season, although would like to see INT number lower and completion % higher (although his 58.9% rate would be a step up from Illini QBs combined 51.2% this past season).
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Hatcher was better the two years prior. It’s a resume that’s competitive with DeVito’s at the very least, probably better just based on all the experience, plus he apparently still has two years to play. I’d nab him in a heartbeat.

The rub is that I fail to see what the connection to Lunney is. Arkansas didn’t offer Hatcher out of high school. Perhaps they’ve interacted as part of the recruiting process, but Hatcher never played for Lunney.

 

[Illinirog70]

I'm not sure that this guy even profiles as a Big ten QB. He's 6' tall (maybe! they always exaggerate on the high side!); can he even see over our linemen?

He completed less than 60 % of his passes in a non-power 5 league. He was sacked almost 10% of his drop-backs for almost 200 yards in losses (as a running QB?) Looks like a REACH.

 

[illini0440]

Hatcher was better the two years prior. It’s a resume that’s competitive with DeVito’s at the very least, probably better just based on all the experience, plus he apparently still has two years to play. I’d nab him in a heartbeat.

The rub is that I fail to see what the connection to Lunney is. Arkansas didn’t offer Hatcher out of high school. Perhaps they’ve interacted as part of the recruiting process, but Hatcher never played for Lunney.

Lunney is extremely connected to Arkansas high school football. They know each other well just from that.

 

[the juiceman cometh]

I'm not sure that this guy even profiles as a Big ten QB. He's 6' tall (maybe! they always exaggerate on the high side!); can he even see over our linemen?

He completed less than 60 % of his passes in a non-power 5 league. He was sacked almost 10% of his drop-backs for almost 200 yards in losses (as a running QB?) Looks like a REACH.

I don't necessarily disagree with your other points (haven't done any research myself), but the complaint about height is a reach. Russell Wilson is listed at 5'11". Doug Flutie listed at 5'10". Drew Brees, Joe Theismann and Michael Vick all 6'0". Not saying this guy's any of those, but there are plenty of good "short" qbs

 

[illinidarrin]

Lunney is a good recruiter. https://247sports.com/Coach/Barry-Lunney-Jr-1513/AllTimeRecruits/

 

[jjniner]

That is a heck of a lot of 4 stars! I’d have to agree

 

[ChiefGritty]

Honestly we should have hired Lunney in the first place. That was a name mentioned on here when reviewing OC’s with Bielema connections.

Lunney’s offense was a tad tempo spread-ier and QB run-ier than I’d like for seamless fit purposes, but this would be nothing like Beatty/Gonzales to Cubit or McGee to Rod Smith, and with his history with Bielema I feel okay about it.

 

[Qwiksilvur]

This is from the original Craig Has The Scout from Illiniboard. https://illiniboard.com/story/2021/9/2/craig-has-the-scout-utsa-2021

“Offensive Style: Power Run concepts with a pro-style passing game and tempo. Barry Lunney is a familiar name for Bret Bielema, as he was the TE and ST coach for Bielema at Arkansas. Lunney is the OC and utilizes TEs heavily. The WR coach is a disciple of Shawn Watson and grew up with the power spread Charlie Strong's Texas teams ran. The OL coach was part of the Dino Babers core group that moved from Eastern Illinois to Bowling Green, and a Briles disciple. The blocking schemes and passing attack are varied and hard to plan against.”

 

[TheDrinkinLincoln]

This is from the original Craig Has The Scout from Illiniboard. https://illiniboard.com/story/2021/9/2/craig-has-the-scout-utsa-2021

“Offensive Style: Power Run concepts with a pro-style passing game and tempo. Barry Lunney is a familiar name for Bret Bielema, as he was the TE and ST coach for Bielema at Arkansas. Lunney is the OC and utilizes TEs heavily. The WR coach is a disciple of Shawn Watson and grew up with the power spread Charlie Strong's Texas teams ran. The OL coach was part of the Dino Babers core group that moved from Eastern Illinois to Bowling Green, and a Briles disciple. The blocking schemes and passing attack are varied and hard to plan against.”

Man Power Run Scheme based RPO system sounds amazing and could suit our talent while covering up some of our deficiencies at QB.

 

[ChiefGritty]

Man Power Run Scheme based RPO system sounds amazing and could suit our talent while covering up some of our deficiencies at QB.

A bit of RPO and misdirection could be a nice compliment to what we’re doing. Having said that, two things

1. We should absolutely keep playing with a ball control, clock control, game control philosophy and tempo which, among other things, enables us to play the kind of defense we want to play. The whole program is built around not being a hurry up no huddle team (which UTSA wasn’t exactly, for clarity. Not like what Rod Smith was doing with Khalil Tate at all)

2. There is no covering up QB deficiencies, and certainly not with RPO stuff. Consistency, accuracy and excellent decision making is a prerequisite to getting any better than we were last year on offense.

 

[Ander1345]

A bit of RPO and misdirection could be a nice compliment to what we’re doing. Having said that, two things

1. We should absolutely keep playing with a ball control, clock control, game control philosophy and tempo which, among other things, enables us to play the kind of defense we want to play. The whole program is built around not being a hurry up no huddle team (which UTSA wasn’t exactly, for clarity. Not like what Rod Smith was doing with Khalil Tate at all)

2. There is no covering up QB deficiencies, and certainly not with RPO stuff. Consistency, accuracy and excellent decision making is a prerequisite to getting any better than we were last year on offense.

Yeah specially with regards to 2 it still requires you to be decisive and accurate to run the RPO or you can easily fumble the exchange/get passes batted, or even pick up a penalty if you end up with linemen down the field.

It might seem like a simple concept, but we struggled even with simple at times this passed season.

Also, ball control is the way to go imo. Playing defense these days is as much about keeping the other teams offense off the field as it is about your 11 guys on D.

 

[Illinir1]

I don't necessarily disagree with your other points (haven't done any research myself), but the complaint about height is a reach. Russell Wilson is listed at 5'11". Doug Flutie listed at 5'10". Drew Brees, Joe Theismann and Michael Vick all 6'0". Not saying this guy's any of those, but there are plenty of good "short" qbs

Add to this list the Illini's 5th highest career passing yardage and 4th best career passing efficiency QB, 5'9" Jason Verduzco.

 

[lstewart53x3]

Yeah specially with regards to 2 it still requires you to be decisive and accurate to run the RPO or you can easily fumble the exchange/get passes batted, or even pick up a penalty if you end up with linemen down the field.

It might seem like a simple concept, but we struggled even with simple at times this passed season.

Also, ball control is the way to go imo. Playing defense these days is as much about keeping the other teams offense off the field as it is about your 11 guys on D.

Yep and I think ball control offense helps a team like ours with less talent.

Shortens the game. Limits the possessions. Keeps it close until the end with a chance to win.

 

[B-ILL]

I don't necessarily disagree with your other points (haven't done any research myself), but the complaint about height is a reach. Russell Wilson is listed at 5'11". Doug Flutie listed at 5'10". Drew Brees, Joe Theismann and Michael Vick all 6'0". Not saying this guy's any of those, but there are plenty of good "short" qbs

All those guys are generational talents in ADDITION to being below average height for the position. You can't take the outliers over 4 decades and use it as an example of "plenty of good short QBs." The reason those guys are notable is because short QBs usually struggle, and it's surprising when they're successful.

Not even sure why we're still talking about this Hatcher guy... He doesn't even seem that good regardless of his height.

 

[the juiceman cometh]

All those guys are generational talents in ADDITION to being below average height for the position. You can't take the outliers over 4 decades and use it as an example of "plenty of good short QBs." The reason those guys are notable is because short QBs usually struggle, and it's surprising when they're successful.

Not even sure why we're still talking about this Hatcher guy... He doesn't even seem that good regardless of his height.

The point was that height is not a barrier to being good (might make it harder, but certainly not impossible). The original post was concerned Hatcher was too short to see over the O-line. If that was true of someone listed at 6"0", it would be true of everyone listed at or below that height, generational talent or not.

Also, I listed the most obvious examples because they come immediately to mind....obviously. There are probably scores of 6'0" qbs who were decent college qbs but not NFL level.

 

[217sports]

All those guys are generational talents in ADDITION to being below average height for the position. You can't take the outliers over 4 decades and use it as an example of "plenty of good short QBs." The reason those guys are notable is because short QBs usually struggle, and it's surprising when they're successful.

Not even sure why we're still talking about this Hatcher guy... He doesn't even seem that good regardless of his height.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1305178467336585219

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1431229405083455495

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1279138623376330752

We don't even know that he's for sure the guy, but the reason to talk about him is obvious. Not sure our QBs could make some these throws even against Hatcher's level of competition. The advanced stats obviously like him based on PFFs rating so I would definitely welcome him. PS: 6 foot is completely fine for a modern college quarterback.

 

[ChiefGritty]

I don't necessarily disagree with your other points (haven't done any research myself), but the complaint about height is a reach. Russell Wilson is listed at 5'11". Doug Flutie listed at 5'10". Drew Brees, Joe Theismann and Michael Vick all 6'0". Not saying this guy's any of those, but there are plenty of good "short" qbs

Yeah but Russell Wilson could never play for Bielema

 

[Emerson Bigguns]

All those guys are generational talents in ADDITION to being below average height for the position. You can't take the outliers over 4 decades and use it as an example of "plenty of good short QBs." The reason those guys are notable is because short QBs usually struggle, and it's surprising when they're successful.

Not even sure why we're still talking about this Hatcher guy... He doesn't even seem that good regardless of his height.

I think a coherent argument could be made that many guys under 6 ft have traditionally been steered toward other positions or been rejected out of hand at the NFL level. Flutie was denied opportunities strictly because of his height. The Chargers let Brees walk, partially because of injury, and partly because they weren't sure he was a "franchise QB". Most successful "short" QBs are effective at getting outside the pocket and throwing on the run, the glaring exception being Brees.
Its easier to be a great QB if you are tall, but it isn't as important as it has been viewed in the past, though that line of thinking still persists in some circles. (i.e. The large number of people who thought Kyler Murray should have played baseball... Try to find someone to make that argument now...)

 

[Rainier Wolfcastle]

I'm not sure that this guy even profiles as a Big ten QB. He's 6' tall (maybe! they always exaggerate on the high side!); can he even see over our linemen?

He completed less than 60 % of his passes in a non-power 5 league. He was sacked almost 10% of his drop-backs for almost 200 yards in losses (as a running QB?) Looks like a REACH.

I noticed that about the sack totals as well. He also threw 13 INT. That's a lot of picks for someone that wasn't a full-time player.

 

[jjniner]

But… he is left handed… different spin on the ball.. we just got our receivers to start playing ok again…

 

[altgeld88]

I've never really paid much attention to all your goofy gifs. However, your recent references to David Gilmour have identified you as a Paison, my friend. (Excuse the redundancy). Shine on you crazy diamond!!

If I may be so bold: you're focusing excessively on the muffin and missing the blueberries.

I'm guessing that if Tony Peterson shares our fine musical taste, and is a man of reflective sensibilities, he's kicking back this afternoon with Gilmour's debut solo album and hearing "Short and Sweet" in a brand new way.

You ask what is the quality of life?
Seeking to justify the part you play
And hide, fearing it incomplete, to try
To make it any more or less than short and sweet

 

[IllinoisssssssVarsity]

Legit question: is he firing his OC if we’re 7-5 cause we go for it on a couple 4th and inches in plus field position for the game?

 

[Pennsy]

Legit question: is he firing his OC if we’re 7-5 cause we go for it on a couple 4th and inches in plus field position for the game?

To paraphrase Dennis Green, We are what our record says we are!

 

[Pennsy]

Also, ball control is the way to go imo. Playing defense these days is as much about keeping the other teams offense off the field as it is about your 11 guys on D.

So we ignore what took place in the Rose Bowl? Bombs away!

 

[altgeld88]

I don't necessarily disagree with your other points (haven't done any research myself), but the complaint about height is a reach. Russell Wilson is listed at 5'11". Doug Flutie listed at 5'10". Drew Brees, Joe Theismann and Michael Vick all 6'0". Not saying this guy's any of those, but there are plenty of good "short" qbs

This^.

Jason Verduzco was listed as 5'9" and did us proud under center back in the day. I believe he was slightly shorter than that based on my lone encounter with him and my decidedly average stature. Wasn't quick or flashy but he was smart and tough as nails. One of the memorable games I saw in Memorial Stadium was #8 Illinois beating #24 MSU 15-13 in '90. Just a brutal defensive struggle. Jason played the entire game on a bum left knee. After falling behind with 1:40 remaining he drove us down to the 30 in less than a minute to set up the winning field goal. Spartan coach George Perles called him the difference in the game. Money quote from UPI article:

'You would have had to kill me to get me out of that game,' the Antioch, Calif., native said. 'I was staying in that game no mater what. You could have tore my leg off and I would've still been in that game.

I'll take his 5'9"-ish clone any day.