Joel Goodson
- it's all ball bearings, nowadays
Illini Football 2026
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Joel Goodson
- it's all ball bearings, nowadays
Henderson is down 15 pounds on program weight from 2025 to 2026. Martin, Matalau, Knapik are all going to be signficantly more athletic then who they replaced.
I'll never forget what Lunney ran in 2021 with UTSA....they ran wide zone to death against the Illini, put that DL on skates, very side to side....he really hasn't been able to do that here.
They tried to at the start of 2025 and it looked horrendous and they stopped.
I think he was given some significant say this past portal season on what he wants to see on the OL, for the first time.
Linebacker recruit?
Joel Goodson
- it's all ball bearings, nowadays
Lunney is gonna keep it pure vanilla in non-con. hoping we can shock them early and keep it up through 4
FWLIW, I'm buying the Houser hype and think our O line is gonna surprise
M-m-m pudding.
We got some big boys
Joel Goodson
- it's all ball bearings, nowadays
Perhaps oddly, this is the type of post that gets me thinking we rip off 9-10 wins this season.
Yep, I'm just surprised it hasn't been talked about. I first noticed the OL recruits we were after were no longer Hunter Whitenack clones but more athletic. I thought, good, finally.
Yet it wasn't being talked about??. Rather it was being mentioned the OL was bigger?? That wasn't computing so Saturday watching it was fairly obvious, this group is longer and leaner.
You and Geneva have both confirmed it, thanks.
Another notice - all 4 QB's really seemed comfortable running the O on Saturday. More than I expected given the lack of experience with this offense.
I'm guessing some of that was just plain jane vanilla play calls most everyone runs given the practice was semi-open.
But also, only 4 QB's on the roster this year and Illinois has as many QB coaches as ever. I think that helps as well.
Even Eisenmenger was not quite Clayton but still looked solid and was getting quality reps. I like that pick up. With all of the portal QB chaos, he could ultimately earn the #2 spot and be there for quite a few years. Like an NFL #2 that you never know when your number gets called.
I'm guessing some of that was just plain jane vanilla play calls most everyone runs given the practice was semi-open.
But also, only 4 QB's on the roster this year and Illinois has as many QB coaches as ever. I think that helps as well.
Even Eisenmenger was not quite Clayton but still looked solid and was getting quality reps. I like that pick up. With all of the portal QB chaos, he could ultimately earn the #2 spot and be there for quite a few years. Like an NFL #2 that you never know when your number gets called.
The Wisconsin OLs that were really good…were huge….but could also move very well.
Haliman looks that way. Champ smith looks that way. Pritchard looks that way. Fifer they are going to have to work on, he’s a little top heavy and will need to change his body. Von seggeren looks that way.
Matalau looks extremely quick. Martin pretty athletic. Knapik long and athletic.
I’d love to know what’s behind the shift. It’s very welcome in my eyes.
I think Lunney was finally given control.
In my opinion, and this is not with any inside knowledge but rather my own perspective...
They inherited a good starting OL with minimal depth. They were good athletes as Lovie seemed to focus on measurables a lot in recruiting (Hence why those DBs were all 4.4-4.5 guys, etc.), and they also grew into their frames with B1G experience. Combine that with good coaching+development and they had a nice foundation to start with initially with some future NFL players/starters.
Once those guys were gone/nearing their eligibility they still had to sell the program which was still behind in success in terms of winning. They lost some key battles in that and had to maybe overreach on certain guys (Erring on the side of size and potential over athleticism). They also lost a few guys but still were able to bring in Adams, Davis, Preistly, etc. which helped them.
Now that they have more success to sell (Partly due to the players inherited from the previous staff), they've gone some prospects that look like future day one/day two picks (Smith, Matelau, etc.). Those players are not only huge, but very nimble and athletic for their size with all the measurable you see in those top of the draft OL. They should only continue to get better with the caliber of OL they're getting now and they'll be able to get with more continued success.
I was already in the camp that this will be their best OL in this regime so far. They have the chance to be the best offense in program history IMO.
And I also remember that UTSA Lunney offense (From the Illini game and that season overall). I think it'll little closer to that with Boyd next year but this should be an equally explosive and efficient offense. I'm excited to see it.
It never made sense we recruited offensive linemen that didn’t fit the scheme. I’m just happy we aren’t recruiting big fat linemen with slow feet.
Yeah they have the athletes and OL to match up with OSU. One thing people need to pay attention to is the defense hung with them for the better part of that game last year.
With the secondary back healthy now, that's a big boost. Juice Clarke held J.Smith to what was maybe his worst game statistically (A game many overlook if you're looking for a potential 'Spoon type of jump). They have the athletes at DB to hold their receivers in check. Should be an interesting game.
Kind of leaning Clarke if he continues to progress. He looks like he has added more strength when I was watching the training camp preview and I don't think people talk enough about how he basically shut down maybe the best WR in CFB last year.
Scott offers versatility and should be a lock to go round 3-4 or higher assuming he stays healthy. His playmaking ability at NICKEL raises his stock but he is a good CB when lined up outside as well.
Bailey I believe is going to possibly be the most decorated in college as this defense could make him a household name this season. He's a real enforcer. If a team like Seattle who has a similar type of scheme drafts him he'll continue to play that CHIEF type of role. Otherwise I think he'll more than likely project at LB in the pros which raises his stock even more IMO.
For right now I'll say Clarke with all going in the 3-5 round range at the moment. Lots of potential to move up for all three though.
If Clarke shuts down Smith again and some of these other elite B1G WR you'll see him rise big time. It kind of puts me in the mind of Spoon because you could see it coming when he was clamping up future NFL WR in Jarrett from Maryland, etc. the previous year. That type of rise is almost unheard in terms of obscurity but I could see Clarke making a big jump with progression. Interested to see Morris and how he fits in. There's good buzz and I liked the tape a lot.
However, I think Hankins Jr. is the best NFL prospect at DB (And one of the top overall on the team). I could see him on freshman AA teams this year and possibly a B1G team (HM, etc.).
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Nice little story put together by Jim Mattson on Aidan Laughery.
www.25newsnow.com
Illini running back Aidan Laughery has gone from Heart of Illinois Conference star to Illini team captain
Laughery is proud to be named an Illini team captain.
www.25newsnow.com
mhuml32
Gesture of Northern Aggression
Will* go higher? Xavier
Could* go highest? Clarke
Most likely to be undrafted? Also Clarke
I'm guessing Bailey's shoulders are extensively checked out in the draft prep phase, but he would have the highest floor for a professional career if he is not given a medical red flag.
Bailey will have the best stats of all 3 (assuming full health).
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