“1000% committed to Illinois?” Like 12 hours ago.
Illinois Football Recruiting Thread
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skyIdub
Winged Warrior
217sports
- Springfield
That offer confirms to me that he will be more than the depth player I was expecting so I welcome the offer. I'd love to see more even, the more validation the better. Not worried about his level of commitment, he can do what is right for him in the end and hopefully that is the faithful
For sure we'll take an AA (if he's at the right Price?), and I think Arthur Young was the great, tall WR during the Zook era, but I'm lost on the Deloitte reference.
I remember when 1000% committed meant something. With inflation its almost meaningless until at least 1300% committed nowadays. Inflation is hitting everyone hard right now.
Jesus everyone relax. He got an offer. Schools give out offers to commuted kids all the time. Chill. We’re still recruiting kids that are committed elsewhere. And yes he is still commuted to Illinois
Touché (Ross)
Define "commuted"
Whitman also is not as much of a arduous figure as Alvarez was. Bielema is getting ALL the credit & rewards.
My bad
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
Well call a spade a spade with Whitman, he's eager to be the center of attention just as much as Alvarez is. The difference is that Whitman isn't a football coach and he knows it isn't his place to give his football coach pointers on how to do their jobs. Whitman wants to be the cool business genius and avatar of Illinidom on social media, which complements Bielema's aw-shucks I'm just the ballcoach schtick well.
AD's who are former legendary coaches at the same school has historically caused friction pretty much everywhere. Of course Alvarez thinks he can coach the team, he did it with great success!
Ron Guenther had some of that having had college coaching in his past albeit in a more limited fashion. But both Turner and Zook always seemed to like and appreciate his input, which I think was probably offered with the appropriate degree of deference and humility. The way Guenther and Zook rebuilt the staff together in 2009 was not the way that sort of thing usually goes down, it went better than anyone could have expected.
Guenther was a sweetheart, it's a shame he was wrong about everything.
The problem is that it's a much, much shorter drive to Lincoln than Champaign and with the price of gas.......this could get complicated
DaChief4ever
- Urbana
Great recruiting headline....CHASE BROWN on ESPN FRONT PAGE......www.espn.com TAKE A LOOKIE
BillyBob1
- Champaign
Sort of like continuing to recruit a committed player, Elzy?
IlliniCardinal
- Minneapolis
My impression of Whitman, having met him a few times, is he is a humble, hard working guy. His role is to serve the coaches (especially football and men's basketball) and, ultimately, the student athletes. He'll step into the spotlight as needed, but I wouldn't describe him as someone who is eager to be the center of attention; I wouldn't say that drives him.
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
I don't know if that drives him as much as he just recognizes that he's good at public-facing communications and that biases him in favor of seeing inserting his voice as the right card to play in situations where other AD's might not. And he IS really good at public-facing communications, and the fanbase DOES look at him as a representative of us long-suffering fans, I'm not saying he's wrong by any means.
Whitman's a good egg, and while he has the business guy background and skillset to do this anywhere, he truly does understand Illinois in a profound and unique way and it means everything to him to succeed here. He was the right guy at the right moment, we're lucky we found him and gave him the opportunity. I suspect he will be here for a long, long time.
The Galloping Ghost
- Washington, DC
IlliniCardinal
- Minneapolis
I hope you are right!
I think his (relative) youth and background as a former Illinois student athlete and NFL player help him connect with today's student athletes, as well as relate to coaches.
And he is smart.
#WeAreWinning!
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
In terms of being thoughtful, strategic, and open to change as it pertains to players and NIL and that whole landscape, we could not possibly have a better trio than Whitman, Underwood and Bielema. They were all major conference revenue sport athletes in the modern-ish era, they get it, and have brought that to their professional lives.
Tom Izzo is an elite coach, but imagine being a Sparty fan and listening to him whine about the future we all know is arriving at our doorstep.
I would like to add that I'm not concerned at all about this commitment. I just find it funny that the % that recruits say they are committed just keeps going up over time.
I remember when 1000% committed meant something. With inflation its almost meaningless until at least 1300% committed nowadays. Inflation is hitting everyone hard right now.
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