Let's show them a good game.
Illinois Football Recruiting Thread
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Let's show them a good game.
illinifan87
- The Windy City
Maybe this is common knowledge about Luke Ford...but on Illini Inquire...there is a caption on the main article that says 'Luke likes Illinois....he almost committed on the spot during his spring visit...but then..."
Did I miss something there? First it's being reported?
Did I miss something there? First it's being reported?
DrewD007
- Woodridge, IL
Think the story is he was blown away on his visit, but held off committing, then ends up Arkansas a few days later and ends up committing to them.
illinifan87
- The Windy City
Ah yeah, I remember that now. Thanks man.
This is clearly year 1 for Lovie given late reboot last year. His success depends on these Trinity and Bishop Dunne kids either adding to the class or following through on commitments. The lines will be good the next few years, need LBs and DBs...oh and a BIG QB (minor oversight for this year). We have talent, its just thin, need strength training and more depth. If he can succeed in this class, we will win....
Glory Days
- Palmetto, FL
As injuries take their toll on all teams late in the season, it is especially painful to watch Illinois plug in players who just aren't Big Ten caliber. It would be one thing to see those kids play against Western Kentucky, but it's completely different against Iowa, Wisconsin, or Ohio State.
I also suspect that some of the linebacker decisions from yesterday's game were based on the previous starters doing some freelancing, repeating the same mental mistakes too many times, or not working hard enough "giving championship effort" in practice.
These are things which can be addressed through layering of good recruiting classes. Realistically, Illini won't see much change until this group of freshmen are red-shirt juniors and/or seniors.
I also suspect that some of the linebacker decisions from yesterday's game were based on the previous starters doing some freelancing, repeating the same mental mistakes too many times, or not working hard enough "giving championship effort" in practice.
These are things which can be addressed through layering of good recruiting classes. Realistically, Illini won't see much change until this group of freshmen are red-shirt juniors and/or seniors.
FT35
- Naperville
Based on Lovie's comments after the game I'm guessing this is what happened.
I remember listening to an interview that Vic Koenning gave back in 2011 in which he stated one of the challenges he had with coaching at Illinois was the lack of depth. He said that he really couldn't threaten players by cutting their playing time since there was such a drop off from the first string to the second string.
We've seen that this staff is not afraid to put ANYONE out there, for better or worse. Hopefully this pays off in recruiting with the Trinity Catholic and Bishop Dunne kids.
Very good way to state what I know others have been saying. Give this staff their recruits and see what they can do.
Even if this class is equal in talent (instead of greater) to last year’s, we’re going to be in a better spot. The freshmen are playing because they’re better football players, not just to speed up the rebuild. It’s obvious as we go into our depth, see our LB play yesterday. Next year will be better, but when we go into our depth it will inexperienced AND small, like this year’s starters. The year after next, when the entire 2 deep is Lovie recruits with at least one year of college experience and s+c, is when our expectations should rise. In 3 years the entire 3 deep will be Lovie recruits with at least 1 year of experience and s+c, and if we do it right we’re a team with a chance to go to the B1G championship and at least a lower level new year’s bowl like the capital one.
https://illiniscoops.wordpress.com/2017/10/15/illini-keeping-track-of-bishop-dunne-cb-logan-wilson/
Thought was a good article after a tough Loss.
Thought was a good article after a tough Loss.
Woah, FiveStar. You're one of my favorite football posters, but I think you're getting a little carried away here. I'd be thrilled with 8 wins.
We’ll be 4 years in with a full 3 deep of Lovie recruits and a ridiculous amount of experience. We also play in the weakest division in the power 5. That’s why I think it’s not crazy to be able to win it after 4 years with talent, and if you’re in the big ten championship getting blown out by mich or osu you’ve probably earned a low level New Year’s Day game. It’s also not unheard of for teams with 8 wins to have a capital one bowl appearance.
Agreed. People are losing their minds on facebook and the internet but no one seems to realize that this is HONESTLY Lovies first year. Last year was basically a chock up since he was hired so late for the recruiting class as well as roster he was given. You SHOULD see progress that is up to that level with our coaching staff at that point. If nothing else you should be in the top 5 of the conference at that point with the arrow only pointing up
People keep talking about youth and that’s right, but a #1a/2 issue is we are missing effectively half a year of recruiting with only ~75 scholarship players. We have young talent and less talent - basically this year and next are probation years. We may need to gray shirt due to potential transfers also. Corbin is a keeper
maybe when this FR class are SR we might be fighting to win the west, but even as JR we will still be behind in alot of areas, mainly OL and QB. The 4 FR OL should be more then ready and as good as any line in the Big10, but we wont have Nick A, and with the fact that 4 FR are starting kind of says no one else we have they think is good enough, so your counting on one of next years recruits to fill his spot. that doesnt leave any depth unless you get 4 or 5 ready to play OL in 19. and no matter who starts at QB next year, your counting on them with a year under their belt to lead the team. I say give them till 2020, by then we will have 4 full classes, and no reasons left to say we need time to rebuild
your timeline is correct. As much as it sucks, it is what it is.
I know I am one of those preaching patience, but replacing (theoretically) only one OL position two years from now seems to be the least of our worries. Maybe one of the current non-starters develops, which would make him a rs sophomore. Maybe one of this year's recruits develops, which would make him a true soph or rs-frosh.
Four juniors with two full years of experience would be a solid start.
thing is your replacing 1 starter yes, but right now that would leave, 1 guy as a back up and if pearl gets the weight 2. RB we will be fine, WR we will be good still, DT and DE we have alot of depth, our DBs are not bad just all young, same for every place we are just young. OL depth is really bad or we just wouldnt see 4 FR starting. and till that gets fixed you will never have a great or even pretty good Offence. IF and When we get the OL fixed then you will see things start improving not until and that will not be done till 2020
As expected TJ Banks commits to West Virginia tonight
In state TE Ivy who was committed to WV just got over recruited and now decommits.
Glory Days
- Palmetto, FL
The grass isn't always greener elsewhere.
I wish many of these in-state kids would band together to build this program up like Ayo and Mark are doing on the hoops side. If you look across the landscape of college football, there are more than enough kids who hail from Illinois to keep Illinois in the Top 15 every single season.
I wish many of these in-state kids would band together to build this program up like Ayo and Mark are doing on the hoops side. If you look across the landscape of college football, there are more than enough kids who hail from Illinois to keep Illinois in the Top 15 every single season.
DrewD007
- Woodridge, IL
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
Don't think so. And that's assuming 100% of the top Illinois preps play for us, which is obviously a pipe dream.
BananaShampoo
Captain 'Paign
- Phoenix, AZ
:tsk::tsk::tsk:
I think Indiana's program building is much more impressive and frightening than Minnesota. He is gonna be trouble.
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