Illini Football 2022
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ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
Ford was really impactful in the run game as a blocker. We'll need that big time next year.
Good point, this is great news.
DeonThomas
- South Carolina
Guess I must have missed earlier mention of Ford being a possible defection. I've been under the impression that every non-SuperSenior will be returning in 2022, unless: (1) declared for the NFL draft, or (2) entered the transfer portal.
Are there others who may not return?
Are there others who may not return?
God dang it video had me terrified for a second.
illini80
- Forgottonia
Are there others? Almost certainly. No idea who or if any will be guys we expected to contribute.
As far as Ford, didn’t he do something similar last year or am I misremembering things? Seemed like he was mostly having a little fun with it, but I could be wrong. He had a vague post a few weeks ago either shared here or on twitter.
I also think his running skills are on par and better than Art & BP.
really hope he can be convinced to come back. Would be a big loss, but would not blame him if he ends up transferring to a school with a proven passing game so that he can showcase his skills for NFL teams.
I will miss Daniel’s touchdown dances but I won’t miss the unsportsmanlike penalties.
Still feel good about the TE room, but Barker made us a better football team.
Illinivek23
- Gurnee
Following TP to ISU?
/s
/s
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
I will miss Daniel’s touchdown dances but I won’t miss the unsportsmanlike penalties.
Still feel good about the TE room, but Barker made us a better football team.
Illinivek23
- Gurnee
Who will likely be the big 3 at TE next year, minus the incoming freshman - LF, Tip and Marchese?
MoCoMdIllini
- Montgomery County, Maryland
That seems about right as of now.
Probably because Ford is a better fit for Lunney's offense since they recruited him before at Arkansas. I assume with Ford as our main inline TE, our other TEs will also see some looks at H-back and FB. Barker should project more as a flex TE and will probably go somewhere that makes greater use of spread formations
SactownIllini
- Coleman Hawkinsland
Could be risky too. What if he goes somewhere else and sucks? I'd think if he played here another year, he at least gets to an NFL training camp. Kudos to him for betting on himself, but I'd love to see him back here lighting the scoreboard up.
I consider it shameful the way Illinois used Barker. I should say, under-used him. Every time he got the ball, great things happened. But we continued to not throw to the tight ends, and our record reflected it. Barker is a better receiver than Ford will ever be, but we'll have to move on.
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