Illinois Football Recruiting Thread

#376      
bdutts
PopChampaign said:
He was never truly loyal to us, didn’t need to be either. He just came out of high school, and with NIL now, I’d chase the biggest bag too, especially when there’s M’s involved.

It hits different when a guy who actually plays for us decides to leave. We don’t know this kid! if he picks Michigan or whoever over us for more money, so be it, no complaining. Either we match the money or we move on. Would love to see Bret have success and make the playoffs so we can get more money to work with.
Click to expand...
It would be refreshing if a kid just came out and said that he went to X school because they paid the most. Then it might actually make some governing body set up Pay to Play rules that make sense.
 
#377      
IlliniWu
pvaughn8 said:
This time last year we saw what the beginnings of a good recruiting class look like and this ain't it
Click to expand...

As we all know, the previous year has nothing to do with this year, especially with all the rule changes and such.
 
#379      
the juiceman cometh
To look on the bright side of things, I assume if we completely fumble on prep recruiting this class, that would just mean more money available to spend on transfers in the offseason? Given that we brought in a really big class '26 class, we probably wanted a smaller '27 class anyway, and I think the transfer portal provides an opportunity to correct recruiting whiffs on the back end.

That being said, hopefully we can gain some recruiting momentum soon.
 
#388      
RichAdams
Boomauer said:
The relationship we had before was insane," Lopati told ESPN in March. "They moved but they kept showing me their loyalty and all that. That really means something to me."

Lopati talking about Michigan's Whittingham and his offensive co-ordinator. Loyalty means something to him...hmm, interesting. 🤔
Click to expand...
Never forget that making a living based upon the decisions of 18 year old kids is the definition of insanity. I applaud all of our coaches for their efforts to work in such an environment and especially in these "wild west" times of NIL. Illinois football will continue to prosper, and who knows, we may see a transfer come in, who is an inch or two taller than Lopati, from Mississippi (It's happened before). On to the next recruitment!
 
#389      
Lakes333
Don't kid yourself. Alot of these kids have second thoughts about decomitting and then later on regret it. Especially the ones that transfer several times. Lopati may just be chasing that bag of money. He may never reach his full potential in the Michigan system. Like other posters have stated, he will probably transfer a few times. Look at Dylan Riola, the so called experts last year were comparing him to Patrick Mahomes.He was built up to be the next best thing. I am not worried about our quarterback position. Let's lock up some of our top targets.
 
Last edited:
#390      
therealmiket86
Lakes333 said:
Don't kid yourself. Alot of these kids have second thoughts about decomitting and then later on regret it. Especially the ones that transfer several times. Lopati may just be chasing that bag of money. He may never reach his full potential in the Michigan system. Like other posters have stated, he will probably transfer a few times. Look at Dylan Riola, the so called experts last year were comparing him to Patrick Mahomes.He was built up to be the next best thing. I am not worried about our quarterback position. Let's lock up some of our top targets.
Click to expand...

I’m sure Lopati would’ve liked to be here but he was offered 3-4 times more.
 
Back