Illinois Football Recruiting Thread

[uofi09]

Looks like Houston Griffith will announce this top 10 schools at point during the summer.

https://n.rivals.com/news/four-star-athlete-establishes-recruiting-timetable

 

[Illiini]

Looks like Houston Griffith will announce this top 10 schools at point during the summer.

https://n.rivals.com/news/four-star-athlete-establishes-recruiting-timetable

The Rivals story seems out of date, what with the visit this weekend.

 

[thunderwear]

I'm not an insider at all, at least as it pertains to crootin', just for the record.

We certainly agree on the former though. I'm just trying to nix the thinking that Abraham was hired with the condition he lands HG or VB or something like that or solely to get into IMG. He was hired for the reasons you and I mentioned, his hire is because he is qualified, not just because he coaches two of the targets at the top of our board who were at IMG. But being from IMG definitely helps

I got it. Truth is that looking at IMG class, I wouldn't be surprised not to get anyone this year. Lots are committed. We can't offer competing for a national championship. The players at IMG are mostly good enough to pick their school. I hope I'm wrong and wouldn't be surprised if lovie got some. But I wouldn't bet anything on it

 

[mhuml32]

Eh. Unless you're going to offer multiple punters at once or pursue one much earlier in the cycle, then I really don't think it was that badly botched. The only thing I would say should've been done differently was offering Day on his visit. After his commit, we went looking for new ones, visited Stonehouse and Robbins, picked Robbins as the new priority, lost him to Michigan on scholarship (not a big deal, it's Michigan), and then lost Stonehouse to CSU who offered a full scholly instead of a blueshirt (Cal and ILL supposedly both gave him blueshirt offers).

So really, IMO, nothing egregious, although of course I would've loved to get a great punter this cycle.

First I've heard of a blueshirt. Different concept than grayshirt?

 

[LurkLongandProsper]

First I've heard of a blueshirt. Different concept than grayshirt?

I believe the difference is that a grayshirt does a walkon fall semester, whereas a blueshirt gets a scholly on the first day of the fall semester but is a walkon for camp and such. Both are essentially just playing with what class you get attached to, but blueshirts allow you to play in the fall, grayshirts don't. Here's a summary: Link. IF we did try to bring Stonehouse in as a blueshirt, that'd explain why he never made it on a visit?

 

[mhuml32]

I believe the difference is that a grayshirt does a walkon fall semester, whereas a blueshirt gets a scholly on the first day of the fall semester but is a walkon for camp and such. Both are essentially just playing with what class you get attached to, but blueshirts allow you to play in the fall, grayshirts don't. Here's a summary: Link. IF we did try to bring Stonehouse in as a blueshirt, that'd explain why he never made it on a visit?

Thanks for the info!

 

[mhuml32]

Looks like Luke Ford is blowing up.

 

[ChazzReinhold]

Ryan Stonehouse committed to Colorado State:

http://247sports.com/Player/Ryan-Stonehouse-46037724

The thin air should add a few yards to his average.

 

[FT35]

I believe the difference is that a grayshirt does a walkon fall semester, whereas a blueshirt gets a scholly on the first day of the fall semester but is a walkon for camp and such. Both are essentially just playing with what class you get attached to, but blueshirts allow you to play in the fall, grayshirts don't. Here's a summary: Link. IF we did try to bring Stonehouse in as a blueshirt, that'd explain why he never made it on a visit?

Thanks for the information since I'd never heard of a blueshirt either.

What's the rationale here? We're nowhere close to the scholarship or signing limit so why not offer him a scholarship straight up? Makes no sense to me if we wanted him since all a blueshirt appears to do is save the DIA a little bit of money.

 

[LurkLongandProsper]

Thanks for the information since I'd never heard of a blueshirt either.

What's the rationale here? We're nowhere close to the scholarship or signing limit so why not offer him a scholarship straight up? Makes no sense to me if we wanted him since all a blueshirt appears to do is save the DIA a little bit of money.

I have no idea and can't actually confirm that's what happened, just what I read the other day. But it does seem odd Stonehouse never made it out here, especially because he had preached patience with respect to making visits, etc, so it would line up with him randomly not making the trip after talks of him scheduling one.

 

[calibear]

Are you Bob Zuppke on twitter?

Zsandef though I seem to remember the the name Zuppke when I was a kid maybe a Bear from the 20 's; 30's, or 40's sorry not Zuppke.

 

[ILFANMARK]

Thanks for the information since I'd never heard of a blueshirt either.

What's the rationale here? We're nowhere close to the scholarship or signing limit so why not offer him a scholarship straight up? Makes no sense to me if we wanted him since all a blueshirt appears to do is save the DIA a little bit of money.

If blue-shirted, he would count towards the 2018 class count of 25. Before DE Gay signed, I heard we had two spots left in 2017 so only one more spot may be open now. Maybe they want that last spot for some other high school players or transfers they are recruiting. Lawson?

 

[FT35]

If blue-shirted, he would count towards the 2018 class count of 25. Before DE Gay signed, I heard we had two spots left in 2017 so only one more spot may be open now. Maybe they want that last spot for some other high school players or transfers they are recruiting. Lawson?

That makes even less sense. We only have 8 scholarship Seniors at this point and will have a small class for 2018 unless there is a mass exodus of underclassmen.

We have the ability to sign 29 for this class. There are four early enrollees and 21 recruits that signed NLIs including Gay. There was plenty of room for Stonehouse if we wanted him.

 

[calibear]

Eh. Unless you're going to offer multiple punters at once or pursue one much earlier in the cycle, then I really don't think it was that badly botched. The only thing I would say should've been done differently was offering Day on his visit. After his commit, we went looking for new ones, visited Stonehouse and Robbins, picked Robbins as the new priority, lost him to Michigan on scholarship (not a big deal, it's Michigan), and then lost Stonehouse to CSU who offered a full scholly instead of a blueshirt (Cal and ILL supposedly both gave him blueshirt offers).

So really, IMO, nothing egregious, although of course I would've loved to get a great punter this cycle.

I have to disagree with LLAP. Maybe next year even this coming recruiting cycle would be different. The wait until late in the 17 cycle , okay needed to sort out where ships where going to be used at what positions. However the should have made all 3 and go with best may wins instead of whack a mole when one of there heads popped up. They did not have the cache to be one on one hit or misses this season. So yeah it was bungled.

 

[calibear]

That makes even less sense. We only have 8 scholarship Seniors at this point and will have a small class for 2018 unless there is a mass exodus of underclassmen.

We have the ability to sign 29 for this class. There are four early enrollees and 21 recruits that signed NLIs including Gay. There was plenty of room for Stonehouse if we wanted him.

I looked at the roster with transfers out for 2018 in mind. I came up a couple of hands full or more that I put in the maybe category. My guess is will see a solid handful of guys leaving due to being recruited over or bad fits in the system and so on. Plus there always seems to be one or two I never thought would that do or seem to jump or come close to leaving. I would guess we ended see about a 15 man class for 2018 give one or two.:huh:

 

[calibear]

I will a few thoughts on the guys tapes I have watched later for the 2018 season. If anyone is interested?

 

[FT35]

I will a few thoughts on the guys tapes I have watched later for the 2018 season. If anyone is interested?

Very interested! I would like to hear your thoughts on the QBs.

 

[FT35]

I looked at the roster with transfers out for 2018 in mind. I came up a couple of hands full or more that I put in the maybe category. My guess is will see a solid handful of guys leaving due to being recruited over or bad fits in the system and so on. Plus there always seems to be one or two I never thought would that do or seem to jump or come close to leaving. I would guess we ended see about a 15 man class for 2018 give one or two.:huh:

We're at 78 scholarship players right now so that should allow us to have a class of 15 unless other players with more than one year of eligibility (i.e. Lawson) are added.

I can see some of the LBs leaving. I don't want to speculate on other players because who knows who is going to have a breakout season? It's just impossible to know at this point.

 

[EyeoftheIllini]

Looks like Houston Griffith will announce this top 10 schools at point during the summer.

https://n.rivals.com/news/four-star-athlete-establishes-recruiting-timetable

Man they need a good proofreader at Rivals.

 

[On2Long]

I looked at the roster with transfers out for 2018 in mind. I came up a couple of hands full or more that I put in the maybe category. My guess is will see a solid handful of guys leaving due to being recruited over or bad fits in the system and so on. Plus there always seems to be one or two I never thought would that do or seem to jump or come close to leaving. I would guess we ended see about a 15 man class for 2018 give one or two.:huh:

I would bet a lot of money that we will have 20+ scholarships available for 2018. Based on what Lovie is saying and the way he is saying it, he will have no problem thinning the herd to make way for kids that he feel will help him win sooner and more. I am not saying that he will like doing it, but as a Pro coach, he had to do that a lot every year. It goes with the job of being a head coach and creating a winning team and culture.

 

[thunderwear]

I would bet a lot of money that we will have 20+ scholarships available for 2018. Based on what Lovie is saying and the way he is saying it, he will have no problem thinning the herd to make way for kids that he feel will help him win sooner and more. I am not saying that he will like doing it, but as a Pro coach, he had to do that a lot every year. It goes with the job of being a head coach and creating a winning team and culture.

I am not sure he is going to "thin the herd."

But I would agree that he finds students the right fit for their talents (including at other programs or universities)

 

[calibear]

That makes even less sense. We only have 8 scholarship Seniors at this point and will have a small class for 2018 unless there is a mass exodus of underclassmen.

We have the ability to sign 29 for this class. There are four early enrollees and 21 recruits that signed NLIs including Gay. There was plenty of room for Stonehouse if we wanted him.

We're at 78 scholarship players right now so that should allow us to have a class of 15 unless other players with more than one year of eligibility (i.e. Lawson) are added.

I can see some of the LBs leaving. I don't want to speculate on other players because who knows who is going to have a breakout season? It's just impossible to know at this point.

I keep hearing different numbers I hope you are right because there are position I would like to multiple commits that you expect only one or two.

 

[calibear]

A few thoughts on the skill offensive guys i have watched.
Qb's mercy the best talented i have seen I started paying attention about 10 years ago.
You might hate me but my favorite offer there is Littlejohn followed by Patterson and Taylor in that order. I liked Thompson they most but do feel he will not be interested.
All 3 up there guys, one spot I would love to see us take 2 of those 3.
Not sure how we fit with most of the top rb's I saw but I put Fleek down as slot guy. Love the slot and receiver offers another I would like to see that one extra guy to go with. Slots Fleek, Moore ( thou wo or slot) R Moore and Obasi also (wo or slot). Yikes!
Te's same story on that ship used on the position. Ford, please with Carter inline and both Mallory (wr) and Hopper as split out te's.
So the staff is off to a monster start on their evals.

 

[ILFANMARK]

That makes even less sense. We only have 8 scholarship Seniors at this point and will have a small class for 2018 unless there is a mass exodus of underclassmen.

We have the ability to sign 29 for this class. There are four early enrollees and 21 recruits that signed NLIs including Gay. There was plenty of room for Stonehouse if we wanted him.

The four early enrollees can only be counted against the 2016 class if there is room to fit them towards the 25 allowed for that year. Otherwise they count towards 2017. You are assuming that all four were able to fit and I highly doubt that they all counted towards the 2016 class.

 

[WesterveltVictoryCigar]

The four early enrollees can only be counted against the 2016 class if there is room to fit them towards the 25 allowed for that year. Otherwise they count towards 2017. You are assuming that all four were able to fit and I highly doubt that they all counted towards the 2016 class.

Illinois signed 22 last year and 3 of those are no longer with the team, so there's room.