Illini Football 2026
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That's what every OC & HC says whose QB2 has had a great spring but they don't want them to take their foot off the peddle. They'll never say the QB2 had a great spring. They want to keep pushing the QB2 to keep getting better and better. Worth making a note of until we hear a pattern of similar comments from a variety of sources, but I'm not worried. Most every other comment about Boyd is about how he's beaten out a lot of other good talent for that position.
He needs to stay healthy. His production dropped after an injury suffered against Ohio State (though he played thru it).
He looked awesome in the bowl game.
I would have loved to have seen practices that year to have seen what occurred between the Penn State and Minnesota games. He looked like he didn't belong against Penn State, Minnesota and the rest of the way he looked like a new man. If they would have had that level of play that year out of him, Luke would have been on the bench, you make a bowl game in 2023....but who knows how 2024 and 2025 play out as Luke may not have been your guy.
They will break through on one of those awards they haven't won individually yet. Whether it be a Doak, a Thorpe, etc.
Also they'll be in the CFP.
It would be so awesome to see the new transfer DL become All B1G/AA type candidates. That would take this defense and team to the next level.
That injury in the OSU game looked pretty gruesome live. I was really nervous it would be season ending if not worse at the time. Definitely the reason why his production fell off in the following weeks as that acceleration and shiftiness just wasn't there until end of season when it was clear he had time to heal it. The fact that he came back from that injury and was able to play in the following weeks was remarkable in it of itself in my opinion and leads me to believe this kid is tough as nails and durable especially for his size. If he gets 1st level blocking from his OL, Valentine will have a monster season. And combine that with Lunney's plan to spread the offense and Houser's strength of quickly getting the ball out and sky is the limit for Ca'lil in my opinion. I also would love to see us regularly get him some screens also. He'd be a threat to break one every time he touches the ball.
Joel Goodson
- it's all ball bearings, nowadays
Very solid list here.
RabidDawgClassic
- Los Angeles, CA
Crazy to think that there are enough great wins to form a top ten list, let alone four more for an honorable mention category. I think we’d struggle to even come up with five from the Beckman/Cubit/Lovie era.
Kreutz was a bigger hinderance to the running game than most realize. Having a 6’1 290 pound center in the big ten that wasn’t an elite mover…....not ideal.
If his last name was anything else he wouldn't have been a starter here, no one will ever convince me otherwise.
Priestly as a 6"4 OT isn't ideal either.
I know he was good, but that's undersized for a tackle, and he's someone who would've been a monster at gaurd (his natural position).
They actively tried to replace him. If Avery Jones doesn’t flip to Auburn he’s most likely the starter
yup , ideally
6-3” to 6’-4” are guards
6-5” to 6-6” are tackles
outliers are certainly possible based on other factors
I don’t think if he was 1” taller he would be a better tackle. Just like Isaiah Adams his hands and feet are to slow for tackle. Pete Skoronski was a great tackle in college at 6’4 and short arms. I also think a lot of our offensive linemen should’ve played at lighter weights
For an example Gesky was listed at 335lbs on our roster last year. For his Pro day he showed up at 307lbs
I get what you are saying
i’m simply listing the more typical heights you look for . obviously, weight , arm length & strength , and foot work & leg strength all make a huge difference . often, enough to compensate for a shorter frame
but it’s nice to have a center & guards who are 6-3 or so and tackles that are a couple inches taller
I wouldn't say that. Kreutz was good here. He start led through Lovie and BB and was a team captain/AA B1G.
That said, I think you'll see a more consistent run game with better numbers due to the size (Renfro is also pretty good as well as McMillen, and others have reps at C). I'm personally excited about the OL this season. They're big guys, talented and athletic. I'm thinking they run for 2,300+ yards this year with the potential for closer to 2,800+).
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