Illinois Football Recruiting Thread

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#802      
Probably since 2010?

Was a fun trip down memory lane to review that roster again. I'll say the 2025 version will be more talented than the 2010 version for a few reasons.

- 2010 Illinois was a year away from a couple guys being solid starters to mega stars (Jenkins and Mercilus). From a production standpoint, 2010 Jenkins was slightly better than 2023 Bryant. Mercilus was...Alec Bryant, but slightly worse. Still is amazing that Mercilus played a lot of snaps his few two years and only had two career sacks, and then had 16+ as a junior.
- 2010 Illinois had a well regarded but true freshman coming in as QB. Nate was incredible as a freshman, but he's not the same production expectations as 2025 Altmyer.
- 2010 had a lot of NFL guys but a good chunk of them needed another year or two before they were really productive and the seniors were more really solid upperclassmen that got 1-2 NFL seasons before getting cycled out.
- Thinking about positions that were better suited for 2010 than 2025: 2010 has a vastly better RB situation. Junior Leshoure is a different animal than McCray, Feagin, or Laughery. 2010 defensive line is also easyty. They have Clay Nurse, Corey Liuget, Michael Buchanan, freshman Akeem Spence, Glenn Foster, Justin Staples, and Mercilus. That's a lot of talent. The rest? Probably all in favor of 2025.
 
#808      
This roster has enough talent and "difference makers"... now its all about retention and development and chemistry.

To answer your question, a tight end from Nebraska was brought up here. Don't know if that's much of an option at the moment.
Enough for what? I'm not complaining a bit. But we can certainly add talent and be better
 
#810      
Enough for what? I'm not complaining a bit. But we can certainly add talent and be better
Agreed. For example, on my wish list I'd applaud us picking up an experienced ILB/MLB, especially one with speed to challenge for a starting spot, if we have a chance at one. I liked where we finished the season, but getting a dude there would put a bow on the defense in my opinion.
 
#811      
Was a fun trip down memory lane to review that roster again. I'll say the 2025 version will be more talented than the 2010 version for a few reasons.

- 2010 Illinois was a year away from a couple guys being solid starters to mega stars (Jenkins and Mercilus). From a production standpoint, 2010 Jenkins was slightly better than 2023 Bryant. Mercilus was...Alec Bryant, but slightly worse. Still is amazing that Mercilus played a lot of snaps his few two years and only had two career sacks, and then had 16+ as a junior.
- 2010 Illinois had a well regarded but true freshman coming in as QB. Nate was incredible as a freshman, but he's not the same production expectations as 2025 Altmyer.
- 2010 had a lot of NFL guys but a good chunk of them needed another year or two before they were really productive and the seniors were more really solid upperclassmen that got 1-2 NFL seasons before getting cycled out.
- Thinking about positions that were better suited for 2010 than 2025: 2010 has a vastly better RB situation. Junior Leshoure is a different animal than McCray, Feagin, or Laughery. 2010 defensive line is also easyty. They have Clay Nurse, Corey Liuget, Michael Buchanan, freshman Akeem Spence, Glenn Foster, Justin Staples, and Mercilus. That's a lot of talent. The rest? Probably all in favor of 2025.
Corey Liuget is one of my favorite Illini players of all time. The Texas Bowl vs Baylor (featuring RGIII) was a beautiful game for Liuget. And of course, for big Leshoure.

 
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#812      
it's a head scratcher to go somewhere he'll play?
Head-scratcher in that :

1. he was the 2nd highest rated punter in the country coming out high school,
2. our starting punter moved on,
3. based on his ranking, one would think that it was his job to lose.
4. he transferred out before even competing for the 2025 job.

Hopefully that clears up the "head-scratcher" comment for you.

Now back to our regularly scheduled programming of recruiting info :)
 
#813      
Fire up Chips!
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#815      
Maybe referring to Cover-Up master Franklin’s 1-15 record in big time games.
I hate to break it to you though, your post proves his point. By citing Franklin’s record in “big-time games” as 1-15, you, yourself, are saying that Penn St is in a tier where 2 wins in CFP aren’t even considered big time games. Illini are still in a tier that aspires to making CFP. I’ll bet you all the mythical beach houses on Loyalty that the board’s reaction to winning even one CFP game no matter the opponent wouldn’t be “ho hum, wake me when we win a big time game.”

No doubt that this year and the bowl win have helped close the gap. And I wouldn’t be shocked if we win a recruiting battle over PSU, but I doubt very much that their loss last night would be the deciding factor. Their pitch is come here and help get us over the hump. Ours is essentially come here and help us get to the hump. And, yes, I know development and such are also a big part of our pitch.
 
#816      
Head-scratcher in that :

1. he was the 2nd highest rated punter in the country coming out high school,
2. our starting punter moved on,
3. based on his ranking, one would think that it was his job to lose.
4. he transferred out before even competing for the 2025 job.

Hopefully that clears up the "head-scratcher" comment for you.

Now back to our regularly scheduled programming of recruiting info :)
Head scratcher to me as well. I would think kicking would be one position where the high school and summer camp stats translate pretty well into college. But it just appears for some reason it didn't here.
 
#819      
Head-scratcher in that :

1. he was the 2nd highest rated punter in the country coming out high school,
2. our starting punter moved on,
3. based on his ranking, one would think that it was his job to lose.
4. he transferred out before even competing for the 2025 job.

Hopefully that clears up the "head-scratcher" comment for you.

Now back to our regularly scheduled programming of recruiting info :)
I thought Pinzon had moved ahead of him in depth chart. Has he left too? If not, can one say it was his job to lose? And I’m not sure what the demand would be for a punter in the late portal window. Best to take a starting job now. I’d say punter and PK are the two positions where it matters the least that you’re not at a P4 school. If you’re booming it and pinning teams inside the 10, you’ll get a look at next level.
 
#823      
Head-scratcher in that :

1. he was the 2nd highest rated punter in the country coming out high school,
2. our starting punter moved on,
3. based on his ranking, one would think that it was his job to lose.
4. he transferred out before even competing for the 2025 job.

Hopefully that clears up the "head-scratcher" comment for you.

Now back to our regularly scheduled programming of recruiting info :)

rankings are for the fans, they mean squat to staff

he got beat out by a walk on
 
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