Illinois Football Recruiting Thread
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Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
Agreed, and I was not sure that was even possible after that Citrus Bowl performance!! Dare I say this even more optimism and hype than for the 2008 season? I mean, sure, we had just made the Rose Bowl the year before and had more on-talent paper, but...
1) We got blown out in the Rose Bowl, whereas this year we won the Citrus Bowl vs. a higher-ranked SEC opponent that many were saying should have made the CFP.
2) There were still lingering rumblings about Ron Zook's Xs and Os competence even after the Rose Bowl game in a way that I don't feel there are about Bret.
illinidarrin
- from parts unknown
Is Seth Coleman coming back? I don't remember hearing anything official on him.
GrayGhost77
- Centennial, CO
IF everyone of consequence stays healthy (and that's a big if), I'm calling it now: Illinois is a playoff team next season.
I'm just...im just all kinds of excited right now 
He is out of eligibility.
illinidarrin
- from parts unknown
I'm sorry, i meant Alec Bryant. I got the two confused.
yea he'll be back
MASSIVE-Davis, X, and Jacas, that isn't just donors ponying up, that's a coaching staff that has built trust, relationship, and developed them, but also, thank you donors for getting the $ we needed to compete! Let's GOOOO
So freaking pumped
yup
some donors came thru when needed.
And kudos to BB and staff for also getting NFL feedback and sharing it with the guys and convincing them it was to their benefit to get another year of experience on tape.
They all have real chances at being anywhere from round 1, 2 or 3 picks next year.
Rounds 2 or 3 are light years ahead of rounds 5, 6 or 7.
Curbelo Fanboy
BERTBALL IS LIFE
At present this is shaping up to be the most hyped Illini season since the Mackovic era. Maybe Jeff George senior year. 2001 felt kind of smoke and mirrors & Zook was never gonna avoid 2 or 3 bizarre losses each year so 9-3 was his max out.
You know we had high expectations for 2023-2024 (two years ago) You know how that turned out…
Remember how our D (same guys for next year) got pushed around by Penn State… and how we got stomped by O
Finger crossed for next year
madillini4
Ozamataz Buckshank
- Millywaukee
Bielema is the best thing to happen to Illinois football in my lifetime, (1993), and probably well before that. What a time to be an Illini.
PizzaHutParkingLot
- Vodice, Croatia
Yep, similar circumstances as well as we won a few in 2022 where we were pretty fortunate.
But I think we're different. We tailed off in 2022 but not this year. I think it's a result of an improving culture. We're playing smarter. Coaching is improving.
So cautious optimism is justified.
We now have a good linebacker room. The dline is set and the def backfield with lots of depth on def. I wonder if Trey Petty will be #2 qb. I know we got the young man out of NIU, but would love to see Trey get some reps.
Been delayed at the airport for 7 hours. This good news helps a lot.
What are your thoughts on the DL, especially the inside guys?
Penn State pushed around most teams they played...and they're in the national semifinals. We lose Terah, Briggs, and Coleman, but we brought in 2 DL with B1G starting experience and another DL with P4 experience. Jacas is back, and our LBs, DBs, and other DL are back with another year of experience and strength.
We'll see if we win 10 games again, but the Illini trending up and there is reason for optimism.
We’re solid on the inside. Replaced a lot of snaps that are leaving w/ guys who have played a lot of snaps. The Wisconsin guys were productive before Fickell got there and the scheme changed
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