M.J. Rivers playing tonight at ATT stadium in the 5A TX playoffs. Guy is fun to watch
Illinois Football Recruiting Thread
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Nebraska just officially fired Riley. Did theyhave any recruits we were after?
FT35
- Naperville
They only have 9 commits in their class and Cameron Brown was the only one we really went after from what I can recall.
He decommitted earlier this year after he received an offer from Ohio State but he later recommitted to Nebraska. He never really considered us.
Ryllini
- Lombard
Someone who knows better than me, is there a reason we didn’t go after Samson Evans from Prairie Ridge Crystal Lake? The kid is a straight up baller. Runs the option to perfection and he even returns kicks. He took a punt to the house today. I saw him live last year against Montini in the playoffs, he was a beast then, he looks a little bigger and faster now. He seems like a winner you want in your program.
I know we are rebuilding from the ground up with HS recruits but what would you all think about adding a couple JUCO OL for depth?
I personally am not against it. It provides depth, competition, and would allow the incoming recruits to definitely to redshirt unless they can beat out a current starter.
The key of course is not to build a program through jucos, just fill some holes as you are suggesting.
Illwinsagain
- Cary, IL
I was at the Cary-Grove playoff game. He ran 60 something yards, to score with 14 sec left, to win the game. PR was leading the whole game, last minute turnover, score from CG, and then he pulled it out. No one could catch him.
ps, the guys in the stands were able to read his "tells", his passing was not great. Running, though, really good.
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FT35
- Naperville
We went after him hard and he chose Iowa as a number of kids from Crystal Lake have.
AJ Henning, sophomore from Lincoln Way East, is someone the staff should be going all in on
KrushCow31
Former Krush Cow
- Chicago, IL
That kid was lightning out there. 3rd place in the 100m dash last year as a Freshman. He just tore it up on breakaway runs.
I know it has been suggested often that we can't win with Illinois recruits but, when I watch the state playoffs it sure seems like there is plenty of talent here. Most of it going somewhere besides UofI. Maybe we can't be a national power with mostly Illinois recruits but, if we could convince some of these guys to stay home it has to be better than what we have had the last 10 years. Doesn't it??
We can win with Illinois recruits -- just can't win with only Illinois high school recruits. Would definitely like to see the Illini keep a few more in-state prospects home in the O&B. And I think we'll start to see that somewhat, but for there to be any large movement of the needle we need to get some wins. But I think we'll eventually see it.
This is something my friends and I have looked into. Illinois recruits keep programs like Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan State, and Notre Dame stable. They provide the depth that we so clearly lack.
They're not all starters, but there are 50+ players on Iowa's roster from Illinois. There are 25+ on Wisconsin's. The plurality of Notre Dame's roster (~20 players) hails from Illinois. Michigan State also has ~20 recruits from Illinois. MSU has more recruits from Michigan and Ohio, but they both produce more talent than Illinois. The state of Ohio is only 2,000,000 people smaller than Illinois (13m IL, 11m OH). Michigan is something like 4,000,000 people smaller (13m IL, 9m MI). Indiana (6.5m), Wisconsin (6m), and Iowa (3m) are all less than half the size of Illinois. Why is it that these programs can walk into Illinois and effectively raid our greatest players? If the Illini were a respectable program, these four programs wouldn't be where they are IMO.
I'm not saying we should be landing all of these recruits, but we should at least be competitive for them. We need a serious re-branding initiative. I can understand how Madison has appeal, but what about Iowa City, South Bend, or East Lansing is any more sexy than Champaign? How have we managed to stay bad for so long when we have always had the talent pool to be at least middle of the pack sitting in our backyard?
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Joel Goodson
- how was I to know, she was with the Russians too?
Truth. Winning will cure all kinds of things and landing more highly coveted Illinois preps is one of them.
Wow, just wow.
We do need to do a better job of keeping the good recruits home. Solidify our program while also hurting a program like Iowa, maybe eventually Wisconsin.
This discussion occurs every couple years or so. Illnois needs to be the base, but we also need Florida, Texas, Ohio etc.
We will never lock down the borders. Only Wisconsin seems to do that, but even then top guys leave the state. What we need is a solid "get"of the top 10-20 each year, keep the four stars, fight for the occasional five star.
Do that, and IMHO w are top three/four in Big west every year.
Its crunch time for recruiting. The staff needs to get out there and make this class better than the last one. At least better than 14th out of 14 in the B1G. The future of the program depends on it. Would be great if we could close out on a couple more 4* or high 3* (although there aren't a lot left out there). Recruiting is fluid this time of year though, with coaching changes and all.
Can we get a thread on 2018 Illini football?
Can we get a thread on 2018 Illini football?
https://www.maizenbrew.com/2017/11/...ure-from-michigan-wolverines-football-program
Could be interesting if we could pick him up
Could be interesting if we could pick him up
mhuml32
Gesture of Northern Aggression
He's not a fit for this offense. You have a true freshman that got a good amount of playing time, plus two good QB recruits. Not sure this year is the best time to bring in a 5th year (last offseason would have been best).
Glory Days
- Palmetto, FL
I would see Speight as more of a fit in the AAC or CUSA. Maybe he could land at a Power 5 school if, like Malik Zaire, he just wants to experience the SEC, or Pac 12. He's not that good, though.
The QB position has really held Michigan back the last two years.
FT35
- Naperville
I doubt there is much interest from either side. I would love to see a 5th year transfer but it needs to be a dual threat guy who doesn't have a history of injury problems. This is where our coaching staff needs to do their job and find that player that can bridge the gap to Thomas/Rivers/Taylor.
Plus he needs to be here for spring ball, if either of the 2 incoming guys were going to be here early would be no need for a 5th year guy. I do not see cam as the answer or even close to it, but going into spring he had better be the only guy getting reps, then once the 2 FR get here, you have to pick who you believe is the best and let them run with it
There is not doubt that Speight is not a fit in the offense, but we need someone that can manage a game/move an offense better than what we have. And I don't think Freshmen will be ready next year. I think a fifth year guy would be perfect to allow us to win games and though Speight isn't great, I think he is functional given the defense and special teams.
I don't endorse Speight, nor do I see him as ideal. But we need someone that can manage a game and move the ball better than we had this year or the fanbase will get restless.
I don't endorse Speight, nor do I see him as ideal. But we need someone that can manage a game and move the ball better than we had this year or the fanbase will get restless.
Deleted member 649710
D
Guest
I don't think Speight is the guy, but a grad transfer or JUCO QB absolutely should be a top recruiting priority. Thomas and the frosh need more time to develop.
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