Illini Football 2026
What will help more than anything, IMO, is Illinois finally has B1G level running backs. Finally. Valentine is only now ready. Bowl game Laughery is good but hasn't been able to stay on the field long enough to get in any rhythm. I *think* the two freshman are/will be B1G level backs. It's been a weakness for Illinois.
It took them a long time to get here after Brown.
Edit: Add Anderson as a short yardage back, he's good in this situation.
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Joel Goodson
- it's all ball bearings, nowadays
no idea if he wants to come back, but we'll find out soon:
Points per drive is more insightful than points per game.
Illinois gave up 2.56 points per drive last year, which was 100th in the nation. The year prior in 2024 — we gave up 2.22 which ranked 67th.
In 2022, we gave up 1.17 which was 2nd best in the country.
Man, if you insist. I certainly hope you're right.
RB was on my wish list for the portal and we got nothing out of it at that position even though there were plenty of players we could have grabbed.
That's actually been the only thing that's bothered me this offseason. But I'd love to be wrong!
BLJ knowledge and presentation continues to impress. Fortunate to have him.
RB is the one position , of all that get on the field, where a talented frosh can not only start , but get lots of carries if he doesn’t . OSO & scUM have been doing that for years . I’m not saying we have a frosh like that , but obviously the staff thinks we have a deep enough RB room that getting a guy out of the portal wasn’t a priority .
I am so ready for one of those BB type guys he had at Wiscy to dominate & get 1200 yards this year on 28 carries per game - thus eating lots of clock for us .
I believe this is the plan.
Win games 31-24, win in the margins, get more turnovers. Still just an overall talent ceiling to the roster, but Bret knows what will work.
lstewart53x3
- Scottsdale, Arizona
Who’s going to have a better career: Will Vala or JC Anderson?
Realistically this late he will have limited options. He also knows the offense
hawiian_mike
Unkle Mike
- Here, There, and Everywhere
Based on their high school film Vala by far!
Joel Goodson
- it's all ball bearings, nowadays
missed it by that much
I would take a repeat of last year in a heartbeat and you can keep the extra possessions. Both because I think the offense will be very solid and because I'm not sold on the talent and depth in our front 6
Anderson, and its not close.
He'll have a pretty clear role as the 5th receiver.
I disagree and think Vala has a better career. I think JC will have to transfer down a level
I think we did fine signing Vala . played tough prep ball at DGN
hard to tell if Anderson was properly prepared for big time ball at TE where he played
no one knows yet . between Anderson & Vala , I like where we ended up . I also don’t think Anderson plays much at LSU & ends up transferring somewhere
Joel Goodson
- it's all ball bearings, nowadays
not gonna lie, I was pretty concerned that Thomas was listed at 6' 205. not anymore. guided missile
Anderson has a higher ceiling but lower floor. He’s a big kid and a great athlete but has a long way to go physically. Vala is shorter so he doesn’t have the upside but he is ready to get on the field right away. Mac Sutter was by far the best of the 3.
I don’t blame JC for taking the biggest bag. I think long term it would’ve been better for him to come here but cash is king. At lsu if he doesn’t work out he will get pushed out. If he came here BB would do everything for a local 4 star to succeed.
If he gets pushed out at LSU after year 2.
There are going to be several spots open at TE for the illini in 2028.
Feagin, abney will be gone. I think stoffel also.
I’m not sure Bret would take him. There’s a shift in portal philosophy from Bret and across the country to take guys from obvious steps below and bringing them up vs potential guys from steps above that haven’t panned out.
I think in this hypothetical JC would basically need to beg to come to Illinois, and Bret would feel he have an immediate impact guy from day 1. Could it happen, sure, but I wouldn’t plan on it.
Well, we were heavily interested in Miles McVay last off-season (he just got a bigger bag to go elsewhere).
If he’s a bust at lsu I wouldn’t want him unless he came here for free. We need instant impact guys from the portal. I hope it works out for him but I think he will have a hard time getting on the field
McVay also didn’t like what he heard from the staff. He actually did get on the field for Alabama the only problem was he was horrible.