They tried that for 2017. Might as well build with the freshmen or RS-freshman.
Illinois Football Recruiting Thread
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They tried that for 2017. Might as well build with the freshmen or RS-freshman.
It's fine that you want to build, but I disagree another ready-now transfer isn't worth it. Lawson was a great addition, just a shame he couldn't get his affairs in order to play for us. He would've added much needed depth and give us another QB option in a year that I foresee getting worse for that position. While I think given the quality of our skill players and hopeful progression elsewhere, that Crouch and/or George can be competent starters next year, using a scholarship on a 5th year guy isn't the worst idea.
We obviously will be building with freshman, but you can't tell me next year Thomas and our three new QB's currently committed will be ready to start. QB is the most important position on the field, I think if this staff finds a 5th year guy they like, they will push hard for him. Get a stop gap for next year, then let the young guys battle in 2019 for the starting position. By then they will have a year or two under thier belt and while still probably be pretty green, should have enough talent around them to perform.
If you're bringing in three quarterbacks in one class and selling playing time, why would you turn around and bring in a fifth year guy? So other recruiters can say that Illinois' word means nothing? It might not be the worst idea, but it's not the best idea, either.
You mention Lawson as a great addition, but he wasn't an addition. No, the addition was a quarterback who only appears to be here to save Thomas' red-shirt. Not sure what kind of quality you can expect from a fifth year guy who would be the sixth quarterback on the team, but I wouldn't expect anything better than Crouch or JGJ.
You mention Lawson as a great addition, but he wasn't an addition. No, the addition was a quarterback who only appears to be here to save Thomas' red-shirt. Not sure what kind of quality you can expect from a fifth year guy who would be the sixth quarterback on the team, but I wouldn't expect anything better than Crouch or JGJ.
You seriously think they sell three QB's on playing time year one? Maybe so, but those kids know the kind of competition they are gonna face to get any sort of playing time. Agreed its not a solution, and yeah there are of course a few negatives, but it is a net positive move to do.
Sorry for the wording, I should've said Lawson would've been a great addition. Regardless of previous success the talent was/is there. Just because he didn't see the field (or the inside of a classroom) doesn't mean that trying to get him was a bad decision.
Theres plenty of cases of 5th year guys going to schools and becoming the best QB there, at schools with much more depth than us. There are likely many many more that dont pan out. Are you upset with the Pete DiNovo acquisition? If so, I dont see how. He's just another warm body as far as im concerned. Perhaps the difference between us is your trust in Crouch and JGJ. I really hope you're on the right side of this.
We're not that far removed from starting freshman QB's. I know Nathan Scheelhause was redshirted but had a QB rating of 132.0 as a RS Freshman. Juice Williams didn't set the world on fire as a Freshman, but still had a rating of 91.9.
Thought I'd just throw that out there for discussion, I can see both sides of the argument.
Yes, I think the coaches sell the opportunity to play as a freshman. I don't have objections to trying to get Lawson or getting DiNovo. But that was for this year. Does the team really need six quarterbacks next year? I'm not seeing what adding a one-year transfer does for the long term health of the program.
Rutgers picked up a decent grad transfer, but they had less depth than Illinois (one returning qb and one freshman). Please educate me on the "plenty of cases of 5th year guys going to schools and becoming the best QB there, at schools with much more depth than us."
Rutgers picked up a decent grad transfer, but they had less depth than Illinois (one returning qb and one freshman). Please educate me on the "plenty of cases of 5th year guys going to schools and becoming the best QB there, at schools with much more depth than us."
Again, probably not the correct terminology using depth. I meant more along the lines of readiness to actually play AND play well. You're right, we will have depth and you're probably right that coaches told these kids about the ability to play freshman year.
I dont think these guys are dumb though. They know its gonna be hard to overcome the entrenched QB's already here. Adding a grad transfer doesn't really change that fact.
If you're really curious about transfer QB's becoming starters, I can name a few extremely recent ones. Russell Wilson, Jake Rudock, and Vernon Adams were all pretty darn good their transfer years. I dont think we dig deep into the transfer pool, but if a top guy wants to come here I dont see us turning him away just because we offered playing time. Playing time that barring a melt down by at least two other QB's wont be coming next year.
I dont think these guys are dumb though. They know its gonna be hard to overcome the entrenched QB's already here. Adding a grad transfer doesn't really change that fact.
If you're really curious about transfer QB's becoming starters, I can name a few extremely recent ones. Russell Wilson, Jake Rudock, and Vernon Adams were all pretty darn good their transfer years. I dont think we dig deep into the transfer pool, but if a top guy wants to come here I dont see us turning him away just because we offered playing time. Playing time that barring a melt down by at least two other QB's wont be coming next year.
If you can get someone like Wilson, Rudock or Adams, that might be a different story. But they chose Wisconsin, Michigan and Oregon, respectively. Those kinds of guys aren't looking to help a team make it to a bowl game. They've already done that. They're looking to take their team to the next level.
I actually agree with a lot what you and illinichief are saying.
Here is my take . Like you I have take someone who is a very good starting qb from a JC.Not necessarily in the echelon you suggested but serious step up. Other wise if not then next turn to Thomas see if he to be seems to be picking things up quickly and not red shirt and begin start getting him prepared for next season while Crouch who to me is a tight end find if he can a run a pattern, George as the incumbent number 2 until if and when the frosh beats him out. Then you have 3 staggered graduating classes though not different classes. So you might keep them happy. If it does give you the opportunity to build quality depth.
The other scenario is throw Thomas into the deep end of the pool and see if can float then learn how to swim. Presently that something feel might be the right thing to do now. But I don't him beat down and shell shocked . The coaches need to feel he can survive and likely and learn.
The University of Illinois has extended an offer to Santa Ana (Ca.) Mater Dei linebacker Solomon Tuliaupupu.
http://247sports.com/Article/Univer...ng-Illini-offer-US-Army-All-America-107768017
http://247sports.com/Article/Univer...ng-Illini-offer-US-Army-All-America-107768017
He wouldn't even need to play. He could just stand out there for the coin toss and scare the crap out of the other team. Go get em' Lovie!
Glory Days
- Palmetto, FL
I can see a scenario where Crouch and George both leave at the end of this year. I saw enough out of Cam Thomas during training camp to see that he has some serious playmaking potential. Throws a beautiful ball on the run, and he glides with very good speed when he takes off with the ball. Would be a nightmare in the open field if he broke contain vs man coverage.
That being said, you bring 3 QBs in with the intention of getting at least one on the field at QB, redshirting at least one, and possibly position change for the third.
That being said, you bring 3 QBs in with the intention of getting at least one on the field at QB, redshirting at least one, and possibly position change for the third.
Glory Days
- Palmetto, FL
Don't know if Illinois will be a serious contender for this young man, but with the coaching staff the Illini have and the opportunity for quick playing time, they should be.
What is more telling is that we, the fans, are now seeing high ceiling targets on the Illinois radar, which is something we haven't seen since the Zooker got canned. If the Illini can somehow get to at least four wins (which I believe they will), then the recruits will start to see the growth and development of the Illini program.
That is an interesting scenario and I agree on Thomas even though I can not see him practice but rather his senior tape. He looked better than any other kid I have seen in 9 years , pretty much had the package like you said. But I think Crouch would stay an be willing to try a new position, which why why I would coach him up to see if he could do t,
FT35
- Naperville
Is he as accurate a passer as that makes him appear? He was hitting his guys in full stride.
Who cares. He's better than any QB we've had in a LONG time
Yeah! Who cares if a qb is accurate?!? If crouch was hitting his receivers in stride on 65+% of his passes we’d still be having this conversation right?
Because he might be better because he's an accurate passer?
Calm down there five star. You might break a finger there and lose a star. Completely missed my point.
FT35
- Naperville
I haven't been to a game this year so I don't know. I've heard that the receivers were dropping a lot of balls earlier in the year but it's gotten better. His best receiver is Kaevion Mack who is just a Sophomore and is #7 in the highlights. The rest of his targets are also fairly new so it's taken time for them to adjust to Coran's passes. He puts a lot of zip on the balls.
Peoria High also has two very good running backs in addition to Taylor running out of the back field so it's not always necessary for them to throw the ball. They're averaging close to 70 points a game this year and a lot of that is coming from yards on the ground.
That's the downside of highlights. You don't see the inaccurate passes, the missed reads or the costly mistakes. We could make a reel of highlights for JGJ in his limited playing time at Illinois that make him look okay this he throws a nice ball but the reality is quite different.
What you can see is that he has the size, speed and arm strength to succeed at the next level and run the offense that Garrick wants to run. Out of the three commits and Thomas, Coran is the one who looks the most physically ready. I wonder if part of the reason Thomas is being held out is because he's still so thin. I'd honestly be worried about him getting hurt against B1G defenses. Coran at least looks like he's ready to step on the field for Illinois right now. He also has a QB coach who he works with throughout the year and Peoria runs an offense similar to what McGee wants to run.
mhuml32
- Cincinnati, OH
Complete shot in the dark. But saw this being reported and wondered if Illinois would get involved as a potential transfer location. Angeline is originally from Pennsylvania.
https://twitter.com/keelyismyname/status/912141392113164288
http://247sports.com/Player/Cary-Angeline-36776
https://twitter.com/keelyismyname/status/912141392113164288
http://247sports.com/Player/Cary-Angeline-36776
Illwinsagain
- Cary, IL
That is great company to be in, however, all I could hear was that old child's song....one of these things is not like the other, one of these things is not quite the same....
That is great company to be in, however, all I could hear was that old child's song....one of these things is not like the other, one of these things is not quite the same....
Enough with that crap. You want to compete? Stop being pessimistic.
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