Sorry, I meant I just can't believe we haven't had back to back top 50 class in around 8 years or so.
Illinois Football Recruiting Thread
- Status
Sorry, I meant I just can't believe we haven't had back to back top 50 class in around 8 years or so.
This again is so Illinois! I really hope this kid becomes a starter. I want to hear the announcer: "And McNutt punches IT up the middle for 2 yards and a first down!!!!" (whatever it is)
I'm so glad he joined us because if he did not, then sometime down the road he would come back to haunt us at the worst possible time, because that is just being so Illinois. Just saying.
I did see that and thought someone is going to get a spanking when he gets home!!!!! To the moon Jacob!!!
Deleted member 654622
D
Guest
I think everyone here was hoping Lovie could jolt us into the top 20 in recruiting classes just by his presence, I ignorantly thought the same thing. I really believe we will get there. However, I think it is going to take some of Lovie's recruits getting drafted before he gets the national attention of some of the other power houses. I think the facilities being upgraded, Thad in Chicago, and the hire's of CP & RS(dude already looks like he is going to be very active in recruiting) can serve as a bridge until that point.
Already have a good start to 2019. Enjoy the ride folks
Already have a good start to 2019. Enjoy the ride folks
mhuml32
- Cincinnati, OH
Even at Zook's height, Illinois' recruiting classes were in the 18-24 range. For Illinois to reach that level would require a massive, long-term rebuilt ala Wisconsin. My hope is more for Illinois to be Utah-esque for every class ranking.
Utah Recruiting Rankings
2018: 34
2017: 33
2016: 37
2015: 45
Last year's class was within range of that, this class fell off the pace. I'm grateful to see that Illinois is trying to correct a mistake by getting some offers out early to some of Illinois' top in-state talent. I'm also interested to see how Lovie keeps the recruiting momentum going. The 2019 class isn't going to be sold on playing time, they're going to need to be impressed by improvements on the field and (hopefully) some recruiting chops from Ward, Stoker, Patterson, and at least one other top recruiter on the staff. For me, I'm hoping Illinois achieves two things for next class: A recruiting class ranking that starts with a 3- and/or a composite recruit ranking that's in the 85's (roughly on par with Iowa). Anything below that will be a disappointment. I do agree with many on here that have mentioned the staff's ability to find some underrated players, but we also need to win some battles against better competition.
I don't know about top 20 ever being realistic. Speaking for myself, I just thought we'd be able to keep pace with the Minnesotas and Marylands, in that top 30-40 range. Especially when you consider that we've maxed out both classes at 25, since quantity is taken into account. Top 50 isn't bad, especially for last year, but I did expect a slightly better class this year. And now it looks like this year's class has fallen outside the top 50. We also have the lowest average in the B1G. The only reason we're ranked ahead of Rutgers and Northwestern is shear quantity. We signed 25, they signed 21 and 18 respectively. So yes, we are bringing in the lowest ranked players in the conference. Hard to make up ground with classes like that.
At the same time, this doesn't mean I hate the class or won't support the players. If the staff has proven anything, it's that they can really evaluate under-recruited players. And they seem to have solid prospects in the trenches.
The 2 biggest worries I do have are at QB and LB. Those are 2 glaring holes in Lovie's first 2 classes. Hopefully one of the QBs pans out, as they've addressed it with quantity. But of the 4 scholarship QBs, there was all of 1 other Power 5 offer among the 4 players, Iowa State for Rivers. At linebacker, Lovie has signed 4 players in 2 years, and 1 is a juco that's gone after this year. Need to address that next year.
At the same time, this doesn't mean I hate the class or won't support the players. If the staff has proven anything, it's that they can really evaluate under-recruited players. And they seem to have solid prospects in the trenches.
The 2 biggest worries I do have are at QB and LB. Those are 2 glaring holes in Lovie's first 2 classes. Hopefully one of the QBs pans out, as they've addressed it with quantity. But of the 4 scholarship QBs, there was all of 1 other Power 5 offer among the 4 players, Iowa State for Rivers. At linebacker, Lovie has signed 4 players in 2 years, and 1 is a juco that's gone after this year. Need to address that next year.
Deleted member 654622
D
Guest
For craps sake, if we would have snagged our biggest misses, Adeoye .9475, Robinson .9452, Craddieth .8891, and Coleman .8614, and take out their backup plans, where would we be ranked then?
Is that number our ceiling essentially? Just a conversation piece to chew on
https://247sports.com/college/illinois/Season/2018-Football/Commits/Preview
Not sure how that translate to the ave per but would put us 33rd nationally ....
Is that number our ceiling essentially? Just a conversation piece to chew on
https://247sports.com/college/illinois/Season/2018-Football/Commits/Preview
Not sure how that translate to the ave per but would put us 33rd nationally ....
Last edited by a moderator:
t7nich
- Central IL
Do tell...
As Robert often does, he has a pretty good article and perspective on Illini football recruiting again this year. The following is the link:
Signing Day Summary - 2018
I thought what was most interesting was the following:
Signing Day Summary - 2018
I thought what was most interesting was the following:
+1 Great breakdown of recruiting at historically bad football programs.
I will remain optimistic that Lovie and staff will turn this around. The 2019 class has the potential to reach a Top 35 level. That puts Illinois on the Briles/Baylor trajectory (hopefully minus the sexual assaults).
Deleted member 8405
D
Guest
One other thing to consider with our recruiting is that Lovie and much of his staff are coming from the nfl so they have to build the relationships that most coaches have already established while at previous universities.
The recruiting class is fine outside of maybe the linebacker position, though Tolson looks to be a solid pick up. Everyone expecting Lovie to be a miracle worker are expecting too much. This is Illinois football after all. Hopefully the inroads into places like Dallas (Bishop Dunne) and St. Louis (Patterson hire) will pay dividends in future classes.
Deleted member 186590
D
Guest
Lovie shouldn't get any excuses, these recruiting classes just aren't that special. Beckman wasn't getting higher ranked classes than this. I think the fear that the splash of the hire of Lovie would be dampened by his staff's lack of experience in college recruiting has come to fruition.
That said, nothing builds excitement like wining and now over half the players are his recruits, so if he can win with them despite the rankings, the excitement will grow and he'll get better players. Plus, it seems he's emphasizing recruiting with his most recent hires which is good.
That said, nothing builds excitement like wining and now over half the players are his recruits, so if he can win with them despite the rankings, the excitement will grow and he'll get better players. Plus, it seems he's emphasizing recruiting with his most recent hires which is good.
So Lovie doing better than his predecessor is now considered a negative?
I dunno. I wouldn't be upset if he were our opponents' AD.
Everyone, I have it figured out. We need more coaching turnover. A new HC every two years (three tops) should do the trick. It keeps our image and narrative fresh.
Josh, I want you on this plan yesterday!
Josh, I want you on this plan yesterday!
Neidermeyer
- Faber College
Thank you.
Can you please share some of these coaches that are starting in programs similar to Illinois that are pulling in top talent? I'm curious to see the list.
This team won’t win next year and we will have a better recruiting class. This isn’t basketball. You can’t pick up a few top recruits and compete for a national title. Freshmen generally don’t start and rarely make it to the field until their second year. This team finally has a foundation to build from. By 2019 we will have a team that competes. 2020 will mark our first of many relevant football teams. If this doesn’t happen, then it will be a sign that lovie is on the tail end of his time at Illinois. Complaining about 2 top 50 classes, one with 11 freshmen award winners is ridiculous. Expecting us to win after one full year with lovie as coach with MAC level talent is laughable.
*slow clap*
I think we are going to be good, but, at this rate, wake me up in ...never mind, all the other big 14 teams are way ahead of us in both good and bad ways. I cannot take one more 40 point loss or two point loss with people saying, hey, ...ten 2 point losses aren't bad..we are better. So is EVERYONE else.
a competent quarterback
and lovie has more wins already. We had a young defense playing well at times, that just had to be on the field a lot, b/c teams could tee off on the run. no one to throw the ball. then the defense had to get right back on the field, and they're not big ten shape yet.
now... i do fault him for whiffing in illinois. he was the BEARS head coach! but he needs some recruiters on staff, and they've arrived. but i'm not grading him til year 5
and lovie has more wins already. We had a young defense playing well at times, that just had to be on the field a lot, b/c teams could tee off on the run. no one to throw the ball. then the defense had to get right back on the field, and they're not big ten shape yet.
now... i do fault him for whiffing in illinois. he was the BEARS head coach! but he needs some recruiters on staff, and they've arrived. but i'm not grading him til year 5
I think this is a fair assessment, but two things to consider.
On whiffing in Illinois:
The first year he arrived, most of the prominent Illinois players had chosen colleges. This year Illinois was light and Illinois football brand is garbage. I think Lovie made some inroads and we will get more Illinois commits next year.
On being the Bears coach:
Lovie was head coach when most of these kids were in Middle School. I think the Tampa Bay HC, has helped us with Florida, but the Bears HC, I don't think, will be as prominent for us in Illinois.
But I do agree, he needs to work on both of these areas. I am sure he is aware that he needs to work on these areas.
I think you are right and everyone can see it, including Lovie. I like the fact that his staff seems to be building relationships, that people are listening, that he went out and hired an OC that has a reputation for developing QB's, that he went out and hired another assistant with strong ties in St. Louis, that he is not panicking and that Wittman is not panicking either. Except for the emotional fans and boosters that keep trying to get in the way, I think they are doing it right! I don't expect this next season to be very successful in the W/L column but I do expect to start seeing fruit in the following year.
mhuml32
- Cincinnati, OH
Regardless to the depth of Illinois recruiting talent, they need to find a way to convince more top-10 players to come to Illinois. Would gladly add any of these recruits to the incoming class.
Luke Ford
Quincy Patterson
Devin O'Rourke
Jack Sanborn
Micah Jones
Elijah Teague
Jeffrey Jenkins
Bryce Effner
Mik O'Laughlin
Wyatt Blake
- Status