ivwilsoniv
- Aurora, IL
Illinois Football Recruiting Thread
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More good news. Two months ago, panic was beginning to settle in on the lack of recruits. Now the momentum has shifted and optimism has taken hold. What reinforces that are the reports of how well the freshman class is doing. There is a growing sense that the coaching staff is building a competitive program and instilling confidence in the team.
I like what I saw of this young man, I think he will move inside though maybe even to center. Slaughter and Myers are bigger and more tackle built, same with Pearl once he adds weight, All in all I really like this OL class, if we can add 1 more would be a really good group behind this years FRs. Its to bad HoJo screwed up
Welcome, to the
football, Braeden Daniels. Awesome choice in schools. We getting some big guys from Texas.:thumb:
Good job by the staff! It was sounding like he was ours since the BBQ. Glad he has made it official. With added strength it will be interesting to see how his potential grows
Daniels makes the second exceptional lineman to commit. I have mentioned I believe Myers to be a 4* or at least to me is a 4 *. Daniels next best so far and I see him as a high 3* and the first LT of the group. Slaughter is a very solid lineman as well as a nice another get class for 2018. That is 2 seasons in row.
TownieMatt
CU Expat
- Chicago
Offered M.J. Rivers out of Texas. We're probably his best offer right now. Kid has great size and athleticism, nice touch on his passes as well.
http://www.hudl.com/video/3/4224106/5824da6a11fa8054e0436a2b
http://www.hudl.com/video/3/4224106/5824da6a11fa8054e0436a2b
mhuml32
- Cincinnati, OH
We can argue the merits of the star system and class rankings, but seeing how Illinois is currently #67 overall with an estimated 7 scholarships they can still give out, I'm guessing the class will be ranked around the low- to mid-50's.
It's an improvement over what I expected two months ago, but still disappointing for year 2 of a new head coach and strong talent in the STL area (with no current commits). Still hoping Lovie will use the extra assistant coach position to bolster the STL recruiting.
Am I the only one feeling this way? Thinking back to March/April, would this class have fulfilled your expectations?
It's an improvement over what I expected two months ago, but still disappointing for year 2 of a new head coach and strong talent in the STL area (with no current commits). Still hoping Lovie will use the extra assistant coach position to bolster the STL recruiting.
Am I the only one feeling this way? Thinking back to March/April, would this class have fulfilled your expectations?
IMHO, the staff is recruiting a class that meets our needs. The players are talented enough. If they come in next fall and show they belong on a Big Ten team, I'll be happy. I'd rather have a "talented enough" player who is productive than a highly ranked player who doesn't contribute. 5* times 0 productivity = 0.
All indications are the current Freshmen class is very talented. We will certainly see as the year progresses and beyond this year. However, if initial reports are accurate, I trust this staff's evaluation of talent far more than the number of stars assigned by some couch potato looking at film, assigning stars based on offer list or copying from someone else. At this point I'm not worried.
+1
I am going to trust the staff's ability to evaluate talent. Fans worried about this class should watch the tape first instead of going straight to the ratings. Last year, Mike Epstein was rated a low 3* but was clearly one of the best backs coming out of the talent rich state of Florida. Many fans and "scouts" didn't think much of Bennett Williams but now he is likely your starting FS as a true freshman.
we will agree to disagree on this I do not see him as a tackle at all, Slaughter is the best pass blocker out of the group so he fits the left tackle spot ( as long as our QB is right handed better then the others, Myers is the best run blocker for sure as well. But we do agree its a really nice class so far, have to see what Pearl grows into, hope we can add at least 1 more with the size to play year 1 even if he can rs
To me they are doing fine with this class, to win year in year out you need good a OL and DL and they are building them both in the first 2 classes, They are adding speed length size all over the place so I don't care much about the stars, I just want Lovie to be given the time to get things fixed. We have no clue who we might add to the class could be some BIG names , could be guys we never heard of, but last years class plus this years class, I for one am very happy with so far. If we start winning games going to bowls then I don't thnk anyone will care about stars
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Everyone just remember. Lovie and Staff need to Hit back to back recruiting classes to really get the ball rolling for this program.
They had a very large freshman class this past year. Now this next one they need to add certain pieces that they are still lacking from the last class. Along with adding quality depth.
Look at the freshman we have now and pair them with this upcoming class is going to give you a very good idea of how well along we will be when the freshman class now are Juniors and the next freshman class will be Sophmores.
I trust this staff more then I trust recruiting sites.
They had a very large freshman class this past year. Now this next one they need to add certain pieces that they are still lacking from the last class. Along with adding quality depth.
Look at the freshman we have now and pair them with this upcoming class is going to give you a very good idea of how well along we will be when the freshman class now are Juniors and the next freshman class will be Sophmores.
I trust this staff more then I trust recruiting sites.
Agreed. When I didn't have confidence in the staff I would look at rankings and do comparisons wondering how we were measuring up. When I see the freshmen on our current team and I see the commits coming in I trust in the staff that they have what they're looking for. The staff has been working their tails off and it's starting to show. I like the positions we're filling too. Future looks so much brighter than it has in ages. I'm really happy for the current kids and the kids coming to our school in the future. Good things are starting to happen.
Illiini
- In the land of the Nittany Lion
Texas cannon offered: MJ Rivers. http://www.hudl.com/profile/4224106/mj-rivers
Seems like another preferred walk on commitment: Dylan Thomas. ATH
https://twitter.com/dylanthomas_02/status/900527576300617728
http://scout.com/college/illinois/A...i-fan-Dylan-Thomas-joins-Illinois-a-106449853
https://twitter.com/dylanthomas_02/status/900527576300617728
http://scout.com/college/illinois/A...i-fan-Dylan-Thomas-joins-Illinois-a-106449853
You can never have enough Preferred Walk Ons. Strengthens the program overall. Hayden Frye made a living off of it.
Illiini
- In the land of the Nittany Lion
Hey, Dylan, the class of 1970 called. It wants its hair back. Really, 1970 is bald. It really wants its hair back.
Hey, Dylan, the class of 1970 called. It wants its hair back. Really, 1970 is bald. It really wants its hair back.
And i'd really like a winning season for once... aint going to happen for a while.
BananaShampoo
Captain 'Paign
- Phoenix, AZ
If by "a while" you mean, next season or the one after, then I agree. :thumb:
I personally like the retro look. Most of the people are probably jealous of Dylan's hair.
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