Illinois Football Recruiting Thread

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#276      

mhuml32

Cincinnati, OH
I understand your comments, but I also realize some of these investments of time and money, payout in the longer term of 3-5 years , vs 1-2 years

The 2002 and 2008 Illinois classes show that capitalizing after a strong season happens for schools like Illinois. The 2008 class has lots of names that became key cogs on the early 2010 teams (Liuget, LeShoure, Mercilus, Wilson, Allen, Jenkins all got paid handsomely by NFL). I also agree on it being a longer-term investment, but this is year 3. This is the year you would expect to see a change of mindset from recruits. They've seen a substantially improved Illinois football team for their high school years.
 
#277      
The 2002 and 2008 Illinois classes show that capitalizing after a strong season happens for schools like Illinois. The 2008 class has lots of names that became key cogs on the early 2010 teams (Liuget, LeShoure, Mercilus, Wilson, Allen, Jenkins all got paid handsomely by NFL). I also agree on it being a longer-term investment, but this is year 3. This is the year you would expect to see a change of mindset from recruits. They've seen a substantially improved Illinois football team for their high school years.
I think your last sentence gives a clue as to why it is still a work in progress. The substantial improvement you mention has resulted in an overall record of 13-12 and a .500 conference record. I’m happy with the progress, but those might not be exactly awe-inspiring numbers to recruits. Going to a bowl game was great too, but the two seasons following each of the last two bowl games the Illini went to (different coaches I know), the Illini were 7-13 and 8-16. I think the mindset of in-state prospects is changing, but that doesn’t mean the top guys are going to be chomping at the bit to sign with the Illini right away. More are giving Illinois real consideration and that will result in more recruits. And they did get 2 of top 5 recruits in Illinois and I think 5 of the top 25 (plus two specialists), so not like efforts aren’t paying off. Evidently just not quick enough for you.
 
#278      
The 2023 class is much improved from previous recruiting years, I am not taking anything away from that. It's a great sign that Bielema and staff are raising the perceived talent coming into the door. Plus, it's early for 2024! Just not so early that a handful of the top recruits have already committed or confirmed they are looking at other schools. The staff could still get four or five of these heralded, in-state talents in 2024 and show they are raising the recruiting to top-25ish class. I'm pointing out, and others have mentioned, that the outlook on a sizable chunk of the '24 in-state top recruits isn't looking promising (Stec, Scott, Williams, Betancour, Stewart).

The 2022 and 2023 classes were both much improved from previous recruiting years. The coaching staff is bringing in guys that fit the mold of the team and actually want to come here. The other difference is BB and crew can coach and develop these players. Illinois is going to land a ton of 3 star guys sprinkled in with 4 star guys. One winning season or a few isn't going to change that bar much. Otherwise teams like Iowa and Minnesota who have all had more success than us recently would be recruiting at a much higher level than us. BB has a history of landing classes in the top20-top50 range and we will be successful if that happens. Throw in the transfer portal where we can add spots of need I am not sweating the 2024 class plus like you said it is super early. We might not be landing guys that fans on the board want but not much is changing on the BB script of recruiting.
 
#279      
Can someone please explain why getting more home state recruits matters? I just don’t get it.
How about Bret Bielema:

Bielema is an Illinois native and, in his first recruiting cycle, the 2022 class, he has prioritized in-state talent.

"I really believe this," Bielema said. "For Illinois to be successful like they've never been in the past, they have to recruit the state of Illinois better than they have in the past."



One way Bielema plans to effectively recruit players for the Illini is through the state of Illinois. In the past five seasons under Lovie Smith, in-state recruiting had rapidly declined.

This year only three of Illinois’ 14 football commits are from in-state. Six are from Florida. Getting the best players possible is important, but Illinois has produced Big Ten talent over the past five years that have chosen to go elsewhere.

Losing impressive in-state talent to Iowa, Northwestern, Michigan State, Purdue and other Big Ten schools has become popular in recent years, and Bielema is looking to instantly change that narrative. He preached it at Wisconsin and Arkansas and plans to make recruiting in-state guys a top priority for the Illini.

“Any place I’ve ever had success is built on the people that are around it,” Bielema said. “Illinois high school football players, also Illinois high school coaches, anybody that can help this program build its foundation of a roster than can make that happen is needed.”

Not even a full day after getting hired, Bielema contacted the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association and immediately began making relationships with high school football coaches in Illinois, something Lovie Smith didn’t make a priority.


 
#280      

redwingillini11

North Aurora
*whispers* It doesn't really matter where the talent comes from.....
It's true that it doesn't matter where it comes from. But we still must acknowledge that a local blue chip recruit is more likely to have us on his shortlist than an equivalent kid in Atlanta. I know that recruiting is not all about stars and Bielema seems to do a good job of getting 3 star recruits to excel in his program. That's fine, and I'm glad that Bielema's staff can get elite production out of less than elite recruits. But the proof is there why Bielema was smart to say Illinois was going to go back to prioritizing in-state recruiting. If we aspire to have any blue chip recruits on our teams, it starts by keeping kids at home. Sure enough -> Kaden Feagin.
 
#281      
How about Bret Bielema:

Bielema is an Illinois native and, in his first recruiting cycle, the 2022 class, he has prioritized in-state talent.

"I really believe this," Bielema said. "For Illinois to be successful like they've never been in the past, they have to recruit the state of Illinois better than they have in the past."



One way Bielema plans to effectively recruit players for the Illini is through the state of Illinois. In the past five seasons under Lovie Smith, in-state recruiting had rapidly declined.

This year only three of Illinois’ 14 football commits are from in-state. Six are from Florida. Getting the best players possible is important, but Illinois has produced Big Ten talent over the past five years that have chosen to go elsewhere.

Losing impressive in-state talent to Iowa, Northwestern, Michigan State, Purdue and other Big Ten schools has become popular in recent years, and Bielema is looking to instantly change that narrative. He preached it at Wisconsin and Arkansas and plans to make recruiting in-state guys a top priority for the Illini.

“Any place I’ve ever had success is built on the people that are around it,” Bielema said. “Illinois high school football players, also Illinois high school coaches, anybody that can help this program build its foundation of a roster than can make that happen is needed.”

Not even a full day after getting hired, Bielema contacted the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association and immediately began making relationships with high school football coaches in Illinois, something Lovie Smith didn’t make a priority.


I carefully read what you’ve shared but am still puzzled as to why in-state would matter so much. If Illinois talent goes out of state and we capture talent from other states it seems like a wash. It just seems like state lines are an artificial boundary.
 
#282      
I carefully read what you’ve shared but am still puzzled as to why in-state would matter so much. If Illinois talent goes out of state and we capture talent from other states it seems like a wash. It just seems like state lines are an artificial boundary.
It matters because fans say it matters
 
#283      
It matters because fans say it matters
As a fan, I’ve never given it a thought, not once. I have absolutely no idea who’s from what state. I do care about winning games though and assume that’s most fans’ top priority. I still don’t see how success recruiting in state wins more games. I’m still seeking the mechanism, if you will, the reason in-state recruiting wins games.
 
#284      

Mr. Tibbs

southeast DuPage
doing really well with in state recruiting doesn’t necessarily mean more Wins next year or the year after that , but it does often lead to easier recruiting in future years .

there is a reason the established programs recruit really really well in their home states
 
#285      
It matters because fans say it matters

No, it matters because, for programs like UI, you are far more statistically likely to land a 4* that is within a small radius to campus than you are from any other single geography

Here is the list of all-time top UI recruits from 247

7 of the top 10 are in-state or just outside. 1 from DC, 1 from TX, 1 from FL

Also, in looking at the list, you can likely make a case that the ones closest geographically have a higher likelihood to stick and succeed than others.

Especially if you remove the ones who had no chance to make it to campus, (McGill, Abdunafi, etc.), I'm not sure how anyone could look at that and say in-state (or close to it) doesn't matter
 
#286      

1m4tr

Cliffmas
He did. Batted left and threw right. As a 17 and 18 yr old he was talked about in the same breath as Alex Rodriguez. Both Parade All Americans and starters at the Junior Pan Am games. Straight up stud.
Very cool. I knew he was amazing. But damn impressive to see him mentioned in the likes of ARod as a youngster.
I’m trying to remember the other really good player on Chatham. Big brawny blonde headed dude. He may have pitched.
 
#287      
Recruiting capable student athletes to build a winning program should be the priority. Winning programs recruit nationally. In time this should attract more in-state talent, but there’s no need to obsess over zip codes. Give in-state athletes an equal opportunity, but don’t waste excess energy on them.
We appreciate Coach Lunney coming back to Arkansas and recruiting one of the best QB’s in AR. Grayson Wilson QB Central Arkansas Christian 6’3 190 2025
 

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#290      
Get the talent from there and you will get the talent from here....
Preach on!

(example below)

Jim Bob Cooter is the 10th best Illinois prospect overall

His cousin Bob Jim Cooter is the 123rd best Florida prospect overall but has the same ranking at the same position as Jim Bob Cooter

Getting the local guy is great but BB always has a plan to land "his guy" either way
 
#292      
No, it matters because, for programs like UI, you are far more statistically likely to land a 4* that is within a small radius to campus than you are from any other single geography

Here is the list of all-time top UI recruits from 247

7 of the top 10 are in-state or just outside. 1 from DC, 1 from TX, 1 from FL

Also, in looking at the list, you can likely make a case that the ones closest geographically have a higher likelihood to stick and succeed than others.

Especially if you remove the ones who had no chance to make it to campus, (McGill, Abdunafi, etc.), I'm not sure how anyone could look at that and say in-state (or close to it) doesn't matter
Evidently we had no decent recruits before the current decade, based on the 247 chart.
 
#294      
doing really well with in state recruiting doesn’t necessarily mean more Wins next year or the year after that , but it does often lead to easier recruiting in future years .

there is a reason the established programs recruit really really well in their home states
But what is that reason? What mechanism could make this focus a winning formula, make it more than just mimicking the best? How do we know it’s a cause of success rather than just a result? I would expect Georgia to draw strongly from Georgian schools, but is that really what drives their success or just a result of it?

I can see how a focused long term Illinois effort would make in-state recruiting easier eventually, but how is that going to drive program success? Does Illinois have a disproportionate share of the nation’s talent? Are talented players in other states reluctant to move out of state? Trying to understand why recruiting in state leads to success on the field and still puzzled. :unsure:
 
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#295      
Is it a chicken or the egg thing? we need in state talent to win or once we have in state talent we win??
I think we can improve our in state recruiting and have already done so to an extent as we have improved
relationships and hit on a few names, but the answer is, win and more of the the in state kids who were
leaving for Wis, Mich, ND, will reconsider and jump on the bandwagon. They no longer grew up watching
us win.
It's generally accepted that the top athletes come from Florida, California, Georgia and Texas and we've
done ok in 3 of those areas. our staff has a keen eye for what they want and development has been huge.
 
#297      
Is it a chicken or the egg thing? we need in state talent to win or once we have in state talent we win??
I think we can improve our in state recruiting and have already done so to an extent as we have improved
relationships and hit on a few names, but the answer is, win and more of the the in state kids who were
leaving for Wis, Mich, ND, will reconsider and jump on the bandwagon. They no longer grew up watching
us win.
It's generally accepted that the top athletes come from Florida, California, Georgia and Texas and we've
done ok in 3 of those areas. our staff has a keen eye for what they want and development has been huge.
It should be easier to recruit players from IL/IN/MO - more than likely they will have had more exposure to the program, it's less expensive and easier to visit the players, there are strong alumni groups that can have influence, etc. 2 decades of ineptitude make this task more difficult, but if we can show some level of consistent success I would expect that to translate to better local recruiting.
 
#298      

Illinivek23

Gurnee
Any signings expected tomorrow? Haven't seen any buzz for J.Howard over the last few weeks - assume thats not gonna happen?
 
#299      
Very cool. I knew he was amazing. But damn impressive to see him mentioned in the likes of ARod as a youngster.
I’m trying to remember the other really good player on Chatham. Big brawny blonde headed dude. He may have pitched.
I mean there were a bunch depending on how far back you go. We played in The Mickey Mantle World Series for 16U. We finished 4th in the nation. Ironically, we lost to Alex Rodriguez and his Miami team, 9-6.

Before that in 14u we lost to the Paducah Storm in a best of 3 state championship. They won’t the first one 4-3 and we won the next one 4-3 and then they beat us on a 7th inning 2 run homer to move on to the regionals. I tell that story to say that they picked up Brian McClure for the following tournaments and finished 3rd in the nation.

All that to say….. that team had Travis Meyer who moved to Ohio and later played for Ohio State and was drafted by the Dodgers. Brad Scheffler, Springfield HS girls coach, grew up in Chatham before transferring to Springfield High. Both of those guys had bushy blondish hair and pitched. Chris Stalets was our best pitcher and would fit that narrative as well.

All that to say, I could go on and on. Aaron Sapp, Mike Angeli, Doug Ferguson, Ryan Crawford, Etc were all guys that moved on off that team.

I am none of those guys! 😂
 
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