Illinois Football Recruiting Thread

[PaytonHighstep]

Let's take it down a notch here....

I think Lovie will be great coach and I think he has already lit a flame under the !!! of Illini Nation that will not likely be extinguished anytime soon. But... to think he's going to start pulling in 1-3 5 star recruits is getting ahead of ourselves. Each year, there's about 30 5-star recruits. You're suddenly thinking that we're going to be pulling in 10% of the nations 5-star recruits? This year, only three teams pulled in 3 5-stars recruits, and two of them competed in the national championship game.

Don't get me wrong, the players will want to play with Lovie Smith, but the best players are still going to go where the wins are. When Lovie wins, which I'm sure he will eventually (not likely this year), the top tier players will start looking at Illinois. But, unless we're competing for National Championships each year, we'll likely be looking at 1 5-star recruit at best most years.

The rest you said seems way more accurate. If we could constantly be pulling in 4-star and upper tier 3-star guys, we'll be just fine with Lovie coaching.

Agreed. Great post that everyone here should agree with as well. Getting 1 5-star player is a huge undertaking for any program, let alone 3. You build a winning program with high 3 and 4 star talents. That is how you make the leap in overall talent compared to your peers. The 5 star athletes are the immediate impact, icing on top of the cake type freshman.

 

[IlliniFandom]

Everyone is looking to 2017 as the first year we'll make a significant impact on recruiting and it seems like 2016 is a wash/done deal. Question is....is it really? I know signing day has come and passed, but anybody left to make a decision that is of high-impact? What about the possibility of transfers? Appreciate any help shedding light on this. Thanks.

 

[Second and Chalmers]

Everyone is looking to 2017 as the first year we'll make a significant impact on recruiting and it seems like 2016 is a wash/done deal. Question is....is it really? I know signing day has come and passed, but anybody left to make a decision that is of high-impact? What about the possibility of transfers? Appreciate any help shedding light on this. Thanks.

I don't know about the Moran situation, but generally speaking everyone who's going to play college football either has found a home or hasn't qualified.

No reason for anyone to transfer now, and they'd have to sit a year anyway.

 

[Cubby Blue]

How is this possible? Typically kids take the ACT in the spring of their junior year. He's a senior and never taken the ACT? That seems a bit off to me.

I do not have an answer for you. It does sound odd. Just relaying info from someone that is close to the situation.

 

[Cubby Blue]

No reason for anyone to transfer now, and they'd have to sit a year anyway.

Not if they are 5th year. It isn't the norm in football, but football does have a very high number of 5th year players due to more redshirts. I do wonder how many of those graduate in 4?

 

[Second and Chalmers]

If they're going to play that 5th year, they are almost certainly already enrolled in whatever graduate program they're taking. That moment for free transferring has already passed.


It would be nice to have a time machine and make this Lovie move happen before March. He's stuck with the roster he inherited for Year 1 because of that. But better late than never, I think we'd all agree.

 

[Second and Chalmers]

Here are some not-so-fun facts on our in-state recruiting.

A bit of fun with selected endpoints, using the 24/7 composite ratings for Illinois recruits. Here are our hauls since Zook's initial staff left:

2010: 1 of the top 17
2011: 0 of the top 12 (and Clint Tucker never qualified, so make it 0 of the top 15)
2012: 1 of the top 24
2013: 2 of the top 21
2014: 0 of the top 24
2015: 2 of the top 19
2016: 0 of the top 29 (pending Moran, I guess)


That's....gotta change.

 

[midastouch11]

Here are some not-so-fun facts on our in-state recruiting.

A bit of fun with selected endpoints, using the 24/7 composite ratings for Illinois recruits. Here are our hauls since Zook's initial staff left:

2010: 1 of the top 17
2011: 0 of the top 12 (and Clint Tucker never qualified, so make it 0 of the top 15)
2012: 1 of the top 24
2013: 2 of the top 21
2014: 0 of the top 24
2015: 2 of the top 19
2016: 0 of the top 29 (pending Moran, I guess)


That's....gotta change.

That's insane. And that talent level in state has been on the rise for the past few years too.

 

[Apollonio]

Here are some not-so-fun facts on our in-state recruiting.

A bit of fun with selected endpoints, using the 24/7 composite ratings for Illinois recruits. Here are our hauls since Zook's initial staff left:

2010: 1 of the top 17
2011: 0 of the top 12 (and Clint Tucker never qualified, so make it 0 of the top 15)
2012: 1 of the top 24
2013: 2 of the top 21
2014: 0 of the top 24
2015: 2 of the top 19
2016: 0 of the top 29 (pending Moran, I guess)


That's....gotta change.

Can't figure out why we suck.

 

[unimaroon]

Using Rivals as my source, here are the number of 4 and 5 star recruits at MSU for the past 6 years. This seems to support that programs are built on 3* with the occasional 4* and that success brings more 4*. (Just one program but one not too dissimilar with where we want to be headed, imo)

2010 - 4/1 (Gohlston)
2011 - 2/0
2012 - 3/0
2013 - 3/0
2014 - 6/1 (McDowell)
2015 - 7/0
2016 * 10/0

 

[Second and Chalmers]

Can't figure out why we suck.

And this is really why the Lovie hire is so big. We could hire the next great coach from a mid-major and they would bring energy and ideas and would lift all aspects of the program and people would take notice over time and it would be great. But it would start with a whimper, and we'd still be Illinois with the mediocre facilities and the empty stadium and the negative, fatalistic fanbase and the dead-as-a-doornail brand. Wins would change it over time, but it would take time, and would probably be led by out-of-state kids for awhile, because our program just has such a stench to the kids that grew up around it.

With Lovie, the stench is gone. The brand is brand new. There will be real crowds from game 1. He has a rock star quality to in-state kids. We still face a ton of other challenges, but in terms of that "anywhere but Illinois" mentality, the Lovie era comes pre-rebuilt.

 

[hooraybeer]

Using Rivals as my source, here are the number of 4 and 5 star recruits at MSU for the past 6 years. This seems to support that programs are built on 3* with the occasional 4* and that success brings more 4*. (Just one program but one not too dissimilar with where we want to be headed, imo)

2010 - 4/1 (Gohlston)
2011 - 2/0
2012 - 3/0
2013 - 3/0
2014 - 6/1 (McDowell)
2015 - 7/0
2016 * 10/0

i would say this would be a much more realistic dream scenario for us. if we are pulling in 5+ 4* annually by year 3 of LS tenure we will be in good shape

 

[Love My Alma Mater]

How is this possible? Typically kids take the ACT in the spring of their junior year. He's a senior and never taken the ACT? That seems a bit off to me.

If I may add to this question, I thought it was REQUIRED of juniors in Illinois to take the act by law?

Can any high school teachers, admin confirm?

 

[illinidarrin]

http://illinois.247sports.com/Season/2017-Football/Targets


Love my Illini

Thanks for the link. I already bookmarked it.

 

[Love My Alma Mater]

Getting way ahead of ourselves here, but why dip into the MAC? Why wouldn't you promote a Lovie disciple or hire a SEC/B1G P5 OC/DC to take over if his program succeeds? You would have the pick of the litter, if this program goes where all of us hope it goes.

I fail to see the love affair with hiring MAC head coaches.

I think he meant IF we had hired the next great MAC coach. Even with success it would have been slow.

Lovie gives instant credibility even the best MAC coach, or even one of the top P5 assistants would bring.

That's how I read it.

 

[Second and Chalmers]

I think he meant IF we had hired the next great MAC coach. Even with success it would have been slow.

Lovie gives instant credibility even the best MAC coach, or even one of the top P5 assistants would bring.

That's how I read it.

Yeah, that's what I meant.

 

[PaytonHighstep]

Well, that would make more sense. I still don't get the love affair with MAC coaches.

edit: sorry, i read it as the next coach (post Lovie).

 

[MadSeason]

And this is really why the Lovie hire is so big. We could hire the next great coach from a mid-major and they would bring energy and ideas and would lift all aspects of the program and people would take notice over time and it would be great. But it would start with a whimper, and we'd still be Illinois with the mediocre facilities and the empty stadium and the negative, fatalistic fanbase and the dead-as-a-doornail brand. Wins would change it over time, but it would take time, and would probably be led by out-of-state kids for awhile, because our program just has such a stench to the kids that grew up around it.

With Lovie, the stench is gone. The brand is brand new. There will be real crowds from game 1. He has a rock star quality to in-state kids. We still face a ton of other challenges, but in terms of that "anywhere but Illinois" mentality, the Lovie era comes pre-rebuilt.

This point cannot be overstated. His name brings instant credibility. We dont have to win 6-8 games for ten years to be given respect. The name Lovie Smith wipes out the past, which is remarkable given how buffonish our past has been. Not many other names in NFL ir College could have done that without winning a game

 

[JimmyTheLayup]

And this is really why the Lovie hire is so big. We could hire the next great coach from a mid-major and they would bring energy and ideas and would lift all aspects of the program and people would take notice over time and it would be great. But it would start with a whimper, and we'd still be Illinois with the mediocre facilities and the empty stadium and the negative, fatalistic fanbase and the dead-as-a-doornail brand. Wins would change it over time, but it would take time, and would probably be led by out-of-state kids for awhile, because our program just has such a stench to the kids that grew up around it.

With Lovie, the stench is gone. The brand is brand new. There will be real crowds from game 1. He has a rock star quality to in-state kids. We still face a ton of other challenges, but in terms of that "anywhere but Illinois" mentality, the Lovie era comes pre-rebuilt.

The opener is going to be a party in, at and around the stadium. It's going to be an atmosphere that we haven't seen in at least 9 years and that's just for Murray State!

 

[Oskee67]

The opener is going to be a party in, at and around the stadium. It's going to be an atmosphere that we haven't seen in at least 9 years and that's just for Murray State!

Talk about incentivizing students to show up to games and tailgate at the stadium. Grange Grove seems like an even better idea now than ever before.

 

[illiniobserver22]

Using Rivals as my source, here are the number of 4 and 5 star recruits at MSU for the past 6 years. This seems to support that programs are built on 3* with the occasional 4* and that success brings more 4*. (Just one program but one not too dissimilar with where we want to be headed, imo)

2010 - 4/1 (Gohlston)
2011 - 2/0
2012 - 3/0
2013 - 3/0
2014 - 6/1 (McDowell)
2015 - 7/0
2016 * 10/0

For reference, here's Illinois:

2005 - 3/0
2006 - 6/0
2007 - 5/2
2008 - 6/0
2009 - 7/0
2010 - 1/0
2011 - 1/0
2012 - 0/0
2013 - 2/0
2014 - 0/0
2015 - 2/0
2016 - 0/0

The only Rivals 4* on our entire roster right now are Gabe Megginson, KeShawn Vaughn, and Caleb Day. Wow

 

[combes]

For reference, here's Illinois:

2005 - 3/0
2006 - 6/0
2007 - 5/2
2008 - 6/0
2009 - 7/0
2010 - 1/0
2011 - 1/0
2012 - 0/0
2013 - 2/0
2014 - 0/0
2015 - 2/0
2016 - 0/0

The only Rivals 4* on our entire roster right now are Gabe Megginson, KeShawn Vaughn, and Caleb Day. Wow

Pretty sure Wes Lunt was a four star. In fact, I just looked and he was.

 

[illiniobserver22]

Pretty sure Wes Lunt was a four star. In fact, I just looked and he was.

You're right, I guess I meant 4* we recruited out of HS. Still 4 is pretty amazingly few.

 

[Jacob]

Dom Thieman Wr - led team in yards with the likes of teammates like Sam Bruce and Mike Irvin jr.

Love the Size and film on the two TE Holcombe and Palmer...

If you don't find MJ Mcgriffs film nice...we can't talk about FB together...

DBs Harvey Clayton (dad former NFL player has a first cousins in NFL that is a house hold name) and Evan Jones, like their film very versatile and beautiful size, physical!!

QB Eli Peters film...his first throw in his film is all I needed to see...but gets better as film goes on!!

Kenyon Jackson DT son of Kieth Jackson... Again if you don't like that film then idk the motor on that kid!

Tre Nation 1800+ 34 TD senior year in the South!!! 230lbs sheesh!

LBs Harding, Hanson, Abocrombie...super solid think of the coaching they are about to get.

All these guys where composite 3stars which is what most of the pool is made of! Plus smart enough to qualify for Illinois...

Can't wait!!!

You got Palmer and Trainor confused on the Tight Ends. Palmer is a big time project. Trainor is the most college ready of any of the 2016 recruits on offense. Tre Nation was the #1 fullback recruit in the nation and in this offense, he will be perfect. If he stays healthy, I think he is the most likely to play on Sundays of the 2016 class.

 

[Second and Chalmers]

Tre Nation was the #1 fullback recruit in the nation and in this offense, he will be perfect. If he stays healthy, I think he is the most likely to play on Sundays of the 2016 class.

Fullbacks are dying on Sundays almost as fast as Saturdays, sadly, from a former HS fullback's perspective.