Illini Football 2023
- Status
NIL is a game changer.
Two Illini greats returning to football. Can’t wait for the season. Ezekiel Holmes will be back. New d line recruits will get experience working with the Law Firm.
Mr. Tibbs
- southeast DuPage
the beauty of NIL can work in our favor - these guys dont have to spend another year driving a 13 year old Pontiac or eating Mac & Cheese or ramen noodles all spring like the old days
Illinivek23
- Gurnee
OLB will have really good depth with Badie and Bryant, too. This is great - come on down JHoward!
So who left early for draft — just Chase and Devin? Is Sydney Brown an early entrant or eligibility up?
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
Well it's both, right?
Without NIL, the positive feeling around the program engendered by BB isn't enough for these guys to make a financially unfavorable decision and pass on the NFL.
But without the positive feeling around the program engendered by BB, even the NIL money may not being enough to get these guys to forestall their pro futures.
We've got a virtuous cycle going on, I've been genuinely surprised by how little damage the portal has done (knock on wood) and these guys saying no to the NFL is just the cherry on top.
When you're beating the draft for players the vibes in your building are for real.
Mr. Tibbs
- southeast DuPage
Syd was out of eligibility , so the only early draft entrants, as of right now, were Chase & 'Spoon
I am confused by the continuation of “booms.” Does this “boom” refer to the law firm returning, or is this a new “boom?”
redwingillini11
White and Sixth
- North Aurora
Lets win the West!
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
The lob has been tossed ...
BOY'S
ARE
BACK
IN
TOWN.............................................................................
OH NO , they are back...........The Law Firm taking no prisoners in 2023-24..........Somebody tell walters to stop calling our players .......stop ASAP !!
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Probably shouldn’t be lost in the moment that we’re keeping this band together despite our DC and OLB coach bolting to a division rival.
Something very good is happening inside this program strategy-wise and culture-wise.
Interesting observation.
IMO our players have some "unfinished business". We were so close last year to winning B10 west and going to Indy.
2023 QB and RB is a question mark but the rest of the team looks very strong. QB was a question mark coming into 2022 but a strong running game takes a lot of the pressure off. Offensive line is more important than RB for the running game.
I am so pumped for 2023!
Last year reminds me of 1982 season. We finished 7-5. (6-3 in B10). Losses were to #3 Pittsburgh 20-3 , Ohio State 26-21 , Iowa 14-13, Michigan 16-10 and Alabama 21-15. We were one play away in all the losses except for Pittsburgh. In 1983 we got over the hump - beat OSU, Iowa and Michigan to go to Pasadena!
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@Indy Illini Fan
For those wondering how the convo went with @illini0440 about this when we found out …
TentakilRex
- Land O Insects between Quincy-Macomb-Jacksonville
Wondering our team's NIL focus is more toward talent retention compared to other schools?
But really I curious what proportional of NIL money goes toward talent retention, recruits, transfers, etc for a bunch of schools.
But really I curious what proportional of NIL money goes toward talent retention, recruits, transfers, etc for a bunch of schools.
DeonThomas
- South Carolina
Our CEO really runs all aspects of this organization magnificently. It's a well-oiled machine. BB overlooks nothing, and no rock is left unturned.
Extraordinary culture. Trust. Open communication. FamILLy.
illini80
- Forgottonia
I’ll take “Things that will never be known”, for $500 Alex. There are likely astonishing sums of money being thrown all around, but we only hear a tiny fraction of it.
It will be interesting to see if anything on the Law Firm comes out. It had to be a nice sum to keep esp Newton out of the draft. I have no idea, but I am thrilled they were able to get it done.
MustangWally
- Mayfield
This has to become the expectation … For players, coaches and fans … Not a once in 10 years kind of thing … Sustained Success … Championships …
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