Illinois Football Recruiting Thread

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#552      
Nohops 73
Second place is 1st loser said:
A lot of what your referencing is the job of the positional coaches as well. Who is the LB's coach and who is the DB's coach? That's where you start.

The defense was held hostage because we had absolutely terrible CB play. The defense was schemed to protect them and that isn't an easy issue to cover. X being out was just an enormous loss. The drop off in talent was really bad. It looks like that was addressed with some high level guys coming in.

The LB's ability to be gap sound and make open field tackles was unacceptable. Too many times we couldn't get off the field because of tackles that should have been made behind the LOS ended up being a 5 yard gain.
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The LB's inability to make open field tackles and/or be out of position sounds like it was both a coaching failure on top a talent evaluation failure. They needed to find serviceable reserves through the portal and didn't. Our weak CB room looks like the staff overestimated what they had and didn't upgrade well enough through the portal. Let's hope they devote adequate resources this offseason to plug these gaping holes. I'm ecstatic about the freshman DB recruits but hope we aren't counting on them exclusively.
 
#553      
Dkayak
IlliniFanTX said:
I could be completely not remembering one, but what was a good offense that we played well against this year? I think the point is that when we weren't playing inferior offenses, we were bad because we lacked the dudes on that side of the ball.
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OSU struggled to run the ball against us, averaging only 2.9 yards per carry (106 yards on 37 attempts). Not bad IMO, considering they’re last year’s national champ and a strong contender again this year. Surely OSU has some dudes, right?

Our defense seemed bipolar. A kinder analogy would be Forrest Gump’s chocolate box. How were these swings possible?
 
#554      
Old.Edgy
Largely agree... However, on the 'selling itself', as coach B himself pointed out, sometimes you have to overcome decades (repeat: DECADES) of mediocre to poor performance on the field. And that can make it a much tougher 'sell'...
 
#563      
TX Illiniwek
Bbuck21 said:
After reading all the posts discussing talent levels and coaching of the last few years, I have a sincere question for the folks on here more knowledgable than me (which is pretty much everybody). I was thinking about the 2024 and 2025 seasons and my general feeling about the team's overall performance. We had our bad moments in 2024 (loss to MN, requiring fire drill final possession to defeat a terrible Purdue team, ...) but generally I thought we were very solid, close to being a CFP team. When I viewed all the starters and coaches returning, I only saw the "down" DL and WR that would be signifcantly different. I didn't feel the DL was difficult to replace with equal talent. With the WR and TE additions, it felt like that was resolved. I just scanned the 2024 versus 2025 statistics. It is surprisingly similar. In fact there are some interesting stats that we were better than last year. Off/Def rushing numbers were worse, passing was better, TO ratio similar, less sacks in 2025. I'm not big on statistics unless something is so obvious. So, why did I never feel good about the 2025 version? I can't believe Xavier Scott alone could have been that significant. What am I missing? I don't mean to sound like a whiner, but how did the Illini seem so solid, especially by the end of 2024? I expected them to be better in 2025. Or am I jsut remembering 2024 as being much better than they really were?
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Buck, I don't think anyone else has thrown their two cents in here yet, so while I definitely don't claim to be the most knowledgeable person on this site and I don't know all of the stat comparisons, and some, maybe many, will disagree with me, I'll give you my perspective on the two seasons. Overall, think the two teams are very similar between 2024 and 2025. Yes, we finished the '24 regular season at 9-3, but we were two plays away from being 7-5...the Roziek sack on the 2-point conversion attempt in OT against PU, and the 4th and 13th TD against Rutgers with 13 seconds left. (We dominated Nebraska in OT in that game so that one is not in question for me.) Our guys then played the game of their life in the Citrus Bowl to bring that one home and finish an outstanding season. I won't go so far as to call 2024 an "aberration", but I will say we were very fortunate. As a very long-suffering Illini Football fan, I will most definitely take it and not apologize to anyone for our 2024 season. Heaven knows we've had more than our share of bad luck over the years. As for this year, I think this year's team did underperform at least to the extent of competitiveness in the games against IU and Washington (Oregon last year), and we definitely had a bad game against Wisky (Minnesota last year). The only down-to-the-wire nail-biter this year was the USC game, and they are a good team but our guys did enough to earn that game. Also, with Illinois coming off a 10-3 season where we beat a good SEC team in a bowl, I think teams prepared differently for us this year, so this was going to be a more difficult year and we were going to get everyone's best.
All that said, I am extremely pleased....call it ecstatic...over 18 wins over the last two seasons, with one more game to go. We've posted 18 wins over a two season span once, but never 19 wins. I would be over-the-top proud if we can get a bowl win this year to get to 9 wins. Its been said by a lot of folks on here that we need sustained success, which will bring recruits, which will bring further sustained success. I don't care how we get there but 18 (or 19) wins over two seasons is the beginning of sustained success and I believe we are really beginning to see that with this year's awesome recruiting class. Yes, next year is going to be completely different with all of the talent and experience we are losing, but we have a lot of talent still left and a lot coming in, as well. I think its going to feel different, as well. Again, I certainly don't have any "insider" privileges or knowledge to the team, but my bet is that Bret learned as much this year as probably any year prior to this in his career and he'll use that to develop the talent we have, both players and coaching staff. Will we be 10-2...maybe....maybe not. But I'll sure take another 8-4 season in a heartbeat.
I think I rambled a bit here...sorry...I just thought your message was interesting because I've thought the exact same thing you posed...wanted to provide my perspective.
 
#564      
Iamgroot
www.si.com

5-Star Mark Bowman Rejects Last-Minute SEC Powerhouse Flip Attempt

The early signing period is no longer a simple paperwork day, it’s a business negotiation. With NIL, revenue-sharing agreements, and agents now woven into high-
www.si.com www.si.com
Wow look it that less then 24 hours after jc Anderson confirms his commitment to kiffin at lsu and hes already try to recruit over him in the same class.i truly expect him to be in the portal next season
 
#565      
Illini92and96
TX Illiniwek said:
Buck, I don't think anyone else has thrown their two cents in here yet, so while I definitely don't claim to be the most knowledgeable person on this site and I don't know all of the stat comparisons, and some, maybe many, will disagree with me, I'll give you my perspective on the two seasons. Overall, think the two teams are very similar between 2024 and 2025. Yes, we finished the '24 regular season at 9-3, but we were two plays away from being 7-5...the Roziek sack on the 2-point conversion attempt in OT against PU, and the 4th and 13th TD against Rutgers with 13 seconds left. (We dominated Nebraska in OT in that game so that one is not in question for me.) Our guys then played the game of their life in the Citrus Bowl to bring that one home and finish an outstanding season. I won't go so far as to call 2024 an "aberration", but I will say we were very fortunate. As a very long-suffering Illini Football fan, I will most definitely take it and not apologize to anyone for our 2024 season. Heaven knows we've had more than our share of bad luck over the years. As for this year, I think this year's team did underperform at least to the extent of competitiveness in the games against IU and Washington (Oregon last year), and we definitely had a bad game against Wisky (Minnesota last year). The only down-to-the-wire nail-biter this year was the USC game, and they are a good team but our guys did enough to earn that game. Also, with Illinois coming off a 10-3 season where we beat a good SEC team in a bowl, I think teams prepared differently for us this year, so this was going to be a more difficult year and we were going to get everyone's best.
All that said, I am extremely pleased....call it ecstatic...over 18 wins over the last two seasons, with one more game to go. We've posted 18 wins over a two season span once, but never 19 wins. I would be over-the-top proud if we can get a bowl win this year to get to 9 wins. Its been said by a lot of folks on here that we need sustained success, which will bring recruits, which will bring further sustained success. I don't care how we get there but 18 (or 19) wins over two seasons is the beginning of sustained success and I believe we are really beginning to see that with this year's awesome recruiting class. Yes, next year is going to be completely different with all of the talent and experience we are losing, but we have a lot of talent still left and a lot coming in, as well. I think its going to feel different, as well. Again, I certainly don't have any "insider" privileges or knowledge to the team, but my bet is that Bret learned as much this year as probably any year prior to this in his career and he'll use that to develop the talent we have, both players and coaching staff. Will we be 10-2...maybe....maybe not. But I'll sure take another 8-4 season in a heartbeat.
I think I rambled a bit here...sorry...I just thought your message was interesting because I've thought the exact same thing you posed...wanted to provide my perspective.
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Totally agree.
 
#566      
TheChief4Life
TX Illiniwek said:
Buck, I don't think anyone else has thrown their two cents in here yet, so while I definitely don't claim to be the most knowledgeable person on this site and I don't know all of the stat comparisons, and some, maybe many, will disagree with me, I'll give you my perspective on the two seasons. Overall, think the two teams are very similar between 2024 and 2025. Yes, we finished the '24 regular season at 9-3, but we were two plays away from being 7-5...the Roziek sack on the 2-point conversion attempt in OT against PU, and the 4th and 13th TD against Rutgers with 13 seconds left. (We dominated Nebraska in OT in that game so that one is not in question for me.) Our guys then played the game of their life in the Citrus Bowl to bring that one home and finish an outstanding season. I won't go so far as to call 2024 an "aberration", but I will say we were very fortunate. As a very long-suffering Illini Football fan, I will most definitely take it and not apologize to anyone for our 2024 season. Heaven knows we've had more than our share of bad luck over the years. As for this year, I think this year's team did underperform at least to the extent of competitiveness in the games against IU and Washington (Oregon last year), and we definitely had a bad game against Wisky (Minnesota last year). The only down-to-the-wire nail-biter this year was the USC game, and they are a good team but our guys did enough to earn that game. Also, with Illinois coming off a 10-3 season where we beat a good SEC team in a bowl, I think teams prepared differently for us this year, so this was going to be a more difficult year and we were going to get everyone's best.
All that said, I am extremely pleased....call it ecstatic...over 18 wins over the last two seasons, with one more game to go. We've posted 18 wins over a two season span once, but never 19 wins. I would be over-the-top proud if we can get a bowl win this year to get to 9 wins. Its been said by a lot of folks on here that we need sustained success, which will bring recruits, which will bring further sustained success. I don't care how we get there but 18 (or 19) wins over two seasons is the beginning of sustained success and I believe we are really beginning to see that with this year's awesome recruiting class. Yes, next year is going to be completely different with all of the talent and experience we are losing, but we have a lot of talent still left and a lot coming in, as well. I think its going to feel different, as well. Again, I certainly don't have any "insider" privileges or knowledge to the team, but my bet is that Bret learned as much this year as probably any year prior to this in his career and he'll use that to develop the talent we have, both players and coaching staff. Will we be 10-2...maybe....maybe not. But I'll sure take another 8-4 season in a heartbeat.
I think I rambled a bit here...sorry...I just thought your message was interesting because I've thought the exact same thing you posed...wanted to provide my perspective.
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Honestly, I would go as far to say I think we were a 7-5 team last year and this year that over played our actual abilities. Give credit to Bret on that. Yes, we were lucky, but you gotta put yourself in a position to have good luck, and Bielema has done that. Now, if these recruits we're getting are as good as advertised... I can only imagine what we can do in a couple years!
 
#567      
Boomauer
Dan said:
Welcome to the Illinois Football Recruiting Thread :illinois:

Transfer Portal Window: January 2-16


2026 Illini Football Signees

1) QB Michael Clayton II
2) LB Cameron Thomas
3) OL Kai Pritchard
4) LB Tony Williams
5) P Jack Gray
6) WR Kenyon Alston
7) OLB Jacob Alexander
8) DB Nick Hankins Jr.
9) WR Nas Rankin
10) TE Will Vala
11) OL Landen Von Seggern
12) DL Parker Crim
13) LB Kaedyn Cobbs
14) OLB Kingston Reigns Shaw
15) DL King Liggins
16) RB Nelsyn Wheeler
17) DB Isaiah Williams
18) DB Jakwon Morris
19) WR Davon Grant
20) OL Casey Thomann
21) DB Jacob Eberhart
22) DL Tony Balanganayi
23) DB Almirian Thomas
24) RB Javari Barnett
25) OLB Jaylen Stewart
26) OL TJ Taylor
27) OL Maika Matelau
28) OL Alfred Washington
29) OLB Kayden Bennett
30) OL Champ Smith



2027 Illini Football Commits

1) QB Kamden Lopati (July 27th, 2025)
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I think 30 commits is a big #, but noticed North Carolina has 39!🤯
 
#568      
Bbuck21
TX Illiniwek said:
Buck, I don't think anyone else has thrown their two cents in here yet, so while I definitely don't claim to be the most knowledgeable person on this site and I don't know all of the stat comparisons, and some, maybe many, will disagree with me, I'll give you my perspective on the two seasons. Overall, think the two teams are very similar between 2024 and 2025. Yes, we finished the '24 regular season at 9-3, but we were two plays away from being 7-5...the Roziek sack on the 2-point conversion attempt in OT against PU, and the 4th and 13th TD against Rutgers with 13 seconds left. (We dominated Nebraska in OT in that game so that one is not in question for me.) Our guys then played the game of their life in the Citrus Bowl to bring that one home and finish an outstanding season. I won't go so far as to call 2024 an "aberration", but I will say we were very fortunate. As a very long-suffering Illini Football fan, I will most definitely take it and not apologize to anyone for our 2024 season. Heaven knows we've had more than our share of bad luck over the years. As for this year, I think this year's team did underperform at least to the extent of competitiveness in the games against IU and Washington (Oregon last year), and we definitely had a bad game against Wisky (Minnesota last year). The only down-to-the-wire nail-biter this year was the USC game, and they are a good team but our guys did enough to earn that game. Also, with Illinois coming off a 10-3 season where we beat a good SEC team in a bowl, I think teams prepared differently for us this year, so this was going to be a more difficult year and we were going to get everyone's best.
All that said, I am extremely pleased....call it ecstatic...over 18 wins over the last two seasons, with one more game to go. We've posted 18 wins over a two season span once, but never 19 wins. I would be over-the-top proud if we can get a bowl win this year to get to 9 wins. Its been said by a lot of folks on here that we need sustained success, which will bring recruits, which will bring further sustained success. I don't care how we get there but 18 (or 19) wins over two seasons is the beginning of sustained success and I believe we are really beginning to see that with this year's awesome recruiting class. Yes, next year is going to be completely different with all of the talent and experience we are losing, but we have a lot of talent still left and a lot coming in, as well. I think its going to feel different, as well. Again, I certainly don't have any "insider" privileges or knowledge to the team, but my bet is that Bret learned as much this year as probably any year prior to this in his career and he'll use that to develop the talent we have, both players and coaching staff. Will we be 10-2...maybe....maybe not. But I'll sure take another 8-4 season in a heartbeat.
I think I rambled a bit here...sorry...I just thought your message was interesting because I've thought the exact same thing you posed...wanted to provide my perspective.
Click to expand...
This, and I agree with everything you have shared about these last 2 years. And after 50 years as an Illini football fan, I will certainly be very excited if we become a program that is annually fighting for a better bowl game. I want to give credit and acknowledge all those fans stating, at the beginning of the year, that 8-4 would be a great sign. I am convinced the program is on the right track. As others have said, we are now winning games that we were used to losing. I thought this was going to be one of those "special" years. However,I would rather have this then the ONE special year every 10-12 years. (that might be generous). Thanks for sharing.
 
#570      
Fly Illini Fly!
Any idea on Trimble's role in 2026? As of today I'd guess a top 5 receiving option along with Clement, Dixon, Rusk, Bowick.
 
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