Wow tons of predictions coming in that Lopati is flipping to Michigan.
Illinois Football Recruiting Thread
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
Surely they're selling him on being Bryce Underwood's successor after one redshirt year.
I'd bet at least the porch, maybe the guest bedroom of my beach house against Underwood's glorious three-year ascent to the NFL Draft in a successful and stable Whittingham administration.
Great eval by our staff to identify Lopati, but at the end of the day, multi-year HS recruitments just don't make a ton of sense in the new college sports.
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I saw ND for Lopati a week or two ago. I guess Michigan has more $.
I would have to imagine the staff has been aware of this and has been reaching out to other prospects behind the scenes. Just wonder what the rationale is for committing so early if you are going to entertain other offers
and comes out smelling like a rose.ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
As soon as he became the best QB recruit in a generation (various Isaiah's Williams would like a word btw) it was pretty clear the direction this was going.
That is exactly what Indiana and Miami(fla.) have been doing for the last couple of years and they both made it to the playoff championship game.
mhuml32
Gesture of Northern Aggression
The generation thing is a reminder that none of the preps being recruited by Illinois were alive when Juice started at Illinois.
Go get nawrot from hersey.
Ryllini
- Lombard
Shocked I tell you. If only there were some pretty good instate 2027 qb’s we could’ve at least talked to not named Trae Taylor.
Would be huge kick in the nuts. There were 2 in-state QBs that we didn't go after and now likely have no shot there as well. The portal class was a bit of a disappointment, and this prep class is trending the same. So odd for this to occur after the best 2-season on-field performance in a long time
That’s not happening
Might have waited too long. Sucks because two of the top QBs in the country were in the suburbs. The Montini QB should have been one to also heavily pursue.
Is there a good reason why not? I have no insider information to work off.
Bielema was college roommates with the guy that just got fired at Kentucky. He knows the issues there and being at a lower tier SEC job. Lunney was on staff at UTSA with Stein. He knows his flaws.
Is Kentucky that far ahead with money? The Illini qb job will be wide open for 2027. Last two full time starters at Illinois will be in the NFL, decent chance Houser plays his way to being a 6th-7th round pick also.
Why not Illinois?
We haven’t had a “homegrown QB” under BB to achieve record success. Not concerned at all.
Problem is, QB is the most important position on the field, and if you don't 'homegrow' them, you are forced to overpay in the portal to get one. Case in point this past portal season when we don't have a homegrown solution ready so we need to spend a large chunk on a QB which cascades into not having budget for retention and not being able to fill gaps in the roster