Deleted member 3875
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Good coaches know how to use tight ends. Tom Landry, Bill Bellicek, Don Shula come to mind.
Illinois Football Recruiting Thread
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By definition they have the hands to catch with (both size wise and also touch). They are used to running with the ball and have familiarity with running pass routes. The only challenge with the transition (other than beefing up) is if the kid came from a program where QBs were babied and were not in an offense that expected to run the ball to actually gain yards and take a hit every now and then.
mhuml32
- Cincinnati, OH
Deleted member 8405
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It's so frustrating that Illinois state loyalty is so much worse than every other state around us.
Yea visited on Friday and called us the leader on Saturday...
No, don't think that is the case. Arkansas was always thought of as a threat in this battle. They use their TE's extremely well, are in the SEC and have seen more recent success than we have.
The kid/family just like Arkansas more apparently. Sucks for us.
I should indicate that is not how I feel. Just likely to be said at some point. See the recent discussion in the basketball coaching search thread.
IMO every recruit should pick the sec over the big in football if given the opportunity.
Lock up TJ Ivy and this hurts a little less.
No way to hide this. It is a big loss. But it is a marathon not a sprint.
I used to spend a lot of time on business in deep southern Illinois. Below Mt Vernon, the most popular basketball team is definitely not Illinois and probably not SIU. It is Kentucky. They feel more culturally attached to the South.
While not as true in football, I believe SEC is followed more closely than B10.
I can think of only 3 players from deep southern Illinois that went to Illinois and the most recent was a starter named Laster who played for Mackovic. There may have been more.
What makes it difficult with a player like Ford is that the deep south is a region that probably averages a true D1 prospect only every 4-5 years. It is hard to develop a tradition toward the UofI for that reason. I never did like our chances here.
While not as true in football, I believe SEC is followed more closely than B10.
I can think of only 3 players from deep southern Illinois that went to Illinois and the most recent was a starter named Laster who played for Mackovic. There may have been more.
What makes it difficult with a player like Ford is that the deep south is a region that probably averages a true D1 prospect only every 4-5 years. It is hard to develop a tradition toward the UofI for that reason. I never did like our chances here.
Very true plus those kids are a gamble considering they never really play in front of large crowds. For some the stage is too big and others flourish. It's not worth Illinois making that area a priority for one or two kids every 5 years.
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When I used to work for the Comptroller of the Currency, I often would spend a couple of weeks at a time below route 13, ie Carbondale. That part of Illinois is to the northern suburbs what rural West Virginia is to the isle of Manhatten.
A different world where we are always going to be running uphill.
A different world where we are always going to be running uphill.
Basically the same distance, as the crow flies.
Deleted member 3875
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Hold on there pardner, let's beat the Western Michigans of the world before taking on the SEC.
I just saw a Lovie We Will Win huge billboard in Beverly(South Chicago) hot bed for Mt Carmel, St Rita, Br Rice, Marist. Never seen an Illinois billboard, let alone any college billboard. Actually matter of fact, we probably have only 5 billboard places in Beverly and surrounding towns. Really cool to see, great for recruiting.
Deleted member 3875
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Need some action here.
illinidarrin
- from parts unknown
The only news i hear in the last 24 hours Verdis Brown may come back to the state of Illinois next year to play.
https://twitter.com/therealJeffJ97/status/844031746874183680
https://twitter.com/therealJeffJ97/status/844031746874183680
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