ILL in IA
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Illinois Football Recruiting Thread
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Best I had seen since Ray Guy. I happened to go to a number of Iowa games while he was punting for them. Not only was his punting incredible but more than half of his kick-offs where between the uprights as well.
His teams certainly did their fair share of punting.
Personally, I don't see a downside with the remaining targets on our board to offer a scholly to a punter, and that tape is excellent. I don't think I'll ever forget the punting show JK Scott had against tOSU in the 2014 Sugar Bowl. To be good, you need good punting, and this kid looks pretty damn good
Ohio punter, Nevada commit Brad Robbins (@brobb713) got a visit from #illini special teams coach Bob Ligashesky
https://t.co/tNxQQHDilf
Going after another punter
https://t.co/tNxQQHDilf
Going after another punter
I can't imagine not offering scholarships to punters, especially with all the positional players (offense/defense) who never materialize and transfer. Punters can drastically help or hurt field position.
"Punt Team to the Launch Pad!"
Jeff Thomas just tweeted a new top 3 -- Louisville, Oregon, Miami
https://twitter.com/Theregoes4/status/822282948686868480
https://twitter.com/Theregoes4/status/822282948686868480
Not surprising on Jeff. We just aren't there yet. Best of luck to him.
illinidarrin
- from parts unknown
I guess we can officially close the door on Thomas.
Deleted member 3875
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Guessing The U.
Is it just me or does scout update and reevaluate there players alot more than rivals, espn, 247?
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Board police, The reason why grades are mentioned is because it matters. It isn't the kids fault but alot of kids can't get into Illinois. Unless you think there is a reason Louisville is in the final 3 without him visiting.
You can protect ESL doesn't mean people who speculate are wrong. Thomas would have been a great get, but we move on to other players who can get admitted to Illinois. ESL and grades in particular mattered because of the teacher's strike. It is not the kid's fault but it is the kid's problem.
For the record, I really like Knight at Olb. Think he will be better than a couple of players signed by Illinois last year and I am not sold on Estes at all at QB. Nickel corner if he commits to it, so be it. And it is not some illusion that grades are speculated about him. The reports are out there and this is the internet. I like Terez as a back up DE option but he made more sense to the old defensive philosophy than this one and doesn't seem to fit even if he is really strong
I will say this and then I am done forever with this topic on this years class. Jeff not choosing Illinois had nothing to do with grades. That is period and final. I am not so sure that the staff has given up at this point, we will see when he returns from Miami. The visit he take next week will tell the story. I think Dan may have deleted the post simply because the topic is out of line. Several people within the last week or so have chosen other schools and people have moved on. Why can't that happen here? The good thing for all those kids is hopefully they will choose the school that is best for them. Whether you like Estes or not is irrelevant considering he is going to Minnesota and he never considered Illinois. On the flip side, Illinois never considered him. He knew that was an attempt to get Jeff and his coaching staff knew as well. He and Coach Fleck are a match made in heaven personality wise. Two years from now there will be a board topic about how some were wrong. That is not negative but sports in general. I just watched the movie "Greater" the other night about the Walk-on turned All American. You never know with sports.
The more important point is ESL has a 2019 that is going to blow up real soon. Coach Kool from Miami loved his size (as well as Minn, Neb, Syracuse, etc.) however his highlight tape isn't out yet. Let's hope Illinois don't fall asleep behind the wheel on this one and get to the party early. There are two 2020 kids as well.
FT35
- Naperville
I haven't really noticed. I guess it depends on the recruit and what is available (video, offers. etc.).
Scout.com still has no rating for Singletary while 247 has him rated. Earlier this week he barely had a profile on 247 but he's picked up a few offers this week.
http://www.scout.com/player/214097-torri-singletary?s=169
http://247sports.com/Player/Torri-Singletary-89850
FT35
- Naperville
I noticed a number of underclassmen at WR and at OL playing in the state championship game. ESL, at least under Sunkett, doesn't appear to shy away from playing underclassmen.
I've been a fan since I read The Right Kind of Heroes but I know a lot of things have changed since Shannon was the coach. Lincoln was still open when that book was written and ESL was a Sophomore-Senior High School?
Best of luck to the kids wherever they end up. They have the right to go to whatever school they want for whatever reason. There are countless kids who have an ABI attitude but at least Thomas gave us serious consideration. Smith has a lot of work to do to make Illinois a destination school for in-state players in Chicago and the Metro East. Otherwise, we need to start making some strides in Florida and Texas.
If Thomas qualifies and is eligible for his freshman year, let's revisit this. Until then it's all just speculation.
You might not think not qualifying academically is not the kid's fault, but no kid thinks that. By the way, whose fault is it that James Knight qualified?
What kid wants to write, "Blessed to receive an offer from the University of Illinois, but I don't qualify." Or, "Removed Illinois from my list because of academics." So if someone feels uncomfortable bringing up the subject, why do you think you should? Why would you do that to another human being, let alone a kid??? Furthermore, you are just speculating. You don't have the facts.
The two Mt Carmel kids going to IMG academy is telling on how much talent the state of Illinois have. I am not saying totally forget Florida or Texas but FOCUS on getting the BEST Illinois have to offer.. It will be huge for long term success.
FT35
- Naperville
The staff has been doing that with the Class of 2018, fwiw. They've spent a lot of time recruiting Brown (now at IMG), Jones, O'Rourke, Patterson, Stewart, etc. They've also extended offers to Taylor and Evans. The Class of 2018 is going to be a relatively small one so it's going to be an interesting class to say the least.
The staff has said they want to focus on St. Louis, Chicago, Cincinnati and all of the areas in between that triangle. St. Louis looks like it has a lot of talent for the Class of 2018.
When you look at the best Illinois has to offer, there were 5 consensus 4+ Star players (according to 247) and Thomas was the only one that ever gave Illinois serious consideration. I really hope that changes in the Class of 2018 and beyond.
Not real sure on 18 but 19 can be a huge turn of events for the Illini IF they start now. To be honest, a lot of the STL kids are mostly hype which will show in the coming years. Those kids play at schools that are equivalent to 1a/2a football in Illinois. I would take kids from the finalist in 5A through 8A before I take them.
I appreciate you coming on here and telling it like it is Title. I for one get tired of seeing kids talked negatively regardless for a good reason or not. Just seems counterproductive if you ask me.
FT35
- Naperville
CBC seems like the real deal. They played ESL earlier this year, right? I know we've spent a lot of time recruiting Babb and Trout of Chaminade. But beyond that, there doesn't appear to be much.
I lived in the metro east for 5 years and it didn't seem like St. Louis had a whole lot to offer in terms of HS football talent while I lived there. It still seemed like there were some good schools with good talent to offer. Now that Missouri is down maybe we'll have a chance with some of those players.
'19 does look like a better year in Illinois. There are some really good players in Central Illinois like Wright and Putnam. We have to get those kids.
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