My take from looking at current team rankings is that we are getting competitive against bowl eligible teams. NU is still rated higher on many boards compared to our current class. So there is still another tier between what we have now and what OSU, MICH, Ala have. With success we can get to top 25-30 area in the next couple of years.
Illinois Football Recruiting Thread
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My take from looking at current team rankings is that we are getting competitive against bowl eligible teams. NU is still rated higher on many boards compared to our current class. So there is still another tier between what we have now and what OSU, MICH, Ala have. With success we can get to top 25-30 area in the next couple of years.
BananaShampoo
Captain 'Paign
- Phoenix, AZ
We have a chance to get to the Top 25-30 area THIS year.
FeelYourPaign
- So Cal
I took the first of these to mean top 25 in playing in a few years, while the second is with respect to recruiting top 25 this year. Right?
That would be great if we can do that this year, and hopefully do it consistently the next couple of years. I believe in the early 80's Mike White had the #1 class in the nation at Illinois. Pretty amazing.
illinoisfan11
- Peoria, IL
Gotta hope he's just flattered, but those retweets have me concerned.
FT35
- Naperville
No. He already agonized enough over this decision.
I sincerely doubt it. If he had eyes for the SEC, that Mizzou offer would've likely delayed his decision.
I agree, kid has to be flattered by attention and good for him. A vast part of going to a certain school is comfort level. It appears that he is very happy with Lovie and Illinois. I'm not concerned.
Great time for Lovie to hit the state of Mizzou. I thought their previous coach did a great job over the years of getting max effort and talent for that program. It seems like Mizzou university and both FB and BB are in a state of transition and confusion.
We have a lot to offer the right kid right now. Lots of open PT, a pretty big graduating class and not a lot of recruiting quality immediately ahead. These guys have all felt the Love in the recruiting process, and know that there will be plenty of backfill behind them. These guys will be getting plenty of tick on improving teams early, and by the time they are seniors they will by experienced leaders on a great team. A really great opportunity.
FT35
- Naperville
Anything is possible but I'm not too worried. He wants to stay close to home and wants early playing time. He was hurt by the fact that Illinois waited so long to offer him but he made the commitment for a reason. Lovie is a kind, decent man and really comes off well to the recruits and the parents which is why he can usually close the deal. Illinois is a good fit for him.
You can see through his Twitter history how difficult this decision was for him. I doubt he wants to reopen the recruiting process. He's never visited Arkansas and really has no ties to that area. He's just enjoying the attention as others have said.
illinidarrin
- from parts unknown
DE and Arizona commit Jalen Harris is supposed to visit Illinois in January. Another new name i believe?
illinidarrin
- from parts unknown
mhuml32
- Cincinnati, OH
This guy seems to be blowing up and getting new offers (Illinois, Washington, Louisville). Would be a great get (one of the best in the current make-up of the class).
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
I'll echo this question. It happens in basketball, but there tends to be bad blood involved (as we well know!), where the school being ditched feels very slighted. In football, it seems commonplace.
6 visitors now for January 20th.
Bagner
Harris
Palczewski
Mixon
Roberson
Dorsey
Anyone know anyone else? I'm sure more will be added later.
Bagner
Harris
Palczewski
Mixon
Roberson
Dorsey
Anyone know anyone else? I'm sure more will be added later.
Several reasons, IMO.
1) Numbers. There are 85 football scholarships vs only 13 in hoops. So a spot has less value, therefore it's treated as such by both sides.
2) No early signing period. So a lot of recruits are evaluated and make decisions during summer camps, but then they can't sign until 6 months later in Feb. Of course, you do have more early commits in hoops but those also tend to be less solid.
3) Recruit impact. A single hoops recruit can drastically change the fortune of a program, even in their first season. So again, more valuable. In football, a single recruit probably isn't even going to play their first season unless they are a skill position player and even then you need more than 1 kid to really impact the team's performance.
Good overview. I also think this late in the game some recruits who commit early get recruited over or told to look elsewhere. Or schools want to fill their classes so they offer kids who may have been overlooked. Plus any coaching changes can impact a recruit.
I also think for most kids Basketball is short term (one year) where football is long term (3 years). Also like someone mentioned Basketball scholarships are similar to the QB scholarship in football.
BillyBob1
- Champaign
Seems like it happens all the time. I find it interesting the offers coming so late in the process. They seem offended if this was basketball.
Joel Goodson
- dawgville
Football recruiting is myriad concurrent games of musical chairs. In that context, compounded by very high stakes, virtually nothing is surprising. Utter free for all, until the prospects sign.
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