FT35
- Naperville
I didn't think we'd go after another CB in this class. I wonder if we're pursuing another DB because Watkins transferred out or if they are expecting someone else in the Secondary to move on?
Illinois Football Recruiting Thread
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I didn't think we'd go after another CB in this class. I wonder if we're pursuing another DB because Watkins transferred out or if they are expecting someone else in the Secondary to move on?
Maybe because he is good and they want to use the last five for as much talent as they can get. Sort of like drafting in the NFL. Some teams in certain spots just draft the best player available. Could be the same thinking here. Adding him and Barnes, assuming Cooper stays, and you have a really nice defensive class.
illinipioneer
- Richmond, VA
Hearing rumbles that the LB Barnes out of Memphis has committed but tweet was taken down.....can anyone else confirm?
FT35
- Naperville
He posted it again:
Good pick up with great speed for a linebacker. Just from watching his highlights his high school used him as a running back as well.
FT35
- Naperville
His commitment article says that Miles Smith is going to be his position coach? Ugh.
https://247sports.com/college/illin...B-Tarqiue-Barnes-commits-to-Illini-128322273/
https://247sports.com/college/illin...B-Tarqiue-Barnes-commits-to-Illini-128322273/
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
Happy about the commitment. Speed kills and we need more. Unhappy that Lovie is allegedly giving his son a permanent assistant job. Ugh.
illinipioneer
- Richmond, VA
He could just be a bit confused, maybe meant that he will be coaching him in general perhaps?
ivwilsoniv
- Aurora, IL
Really wish this kid had one more "m" in his last name. Then it would be E-ss-i-ss-i-mm-a, but alas.
FT35
- Naperville
Hopefully Miles will be "coaching" him as a Graduate Assistant. Miles worked with the NBs so that could be where they want Barnes to start out at first. If not, this makes no sense. Miles wasn't even the interim coach for the LBs.
When you look at guys some have that wow look this kid is a stud
FSU should have another in home this week....I guess we will know more after that.
I think they went after him once Watkins transferred. He has similar size and speed to Watkins as he is a little thin for a LB right now and bigger for a cornerback. I have not watched tape on him but if what you’re saying about his speed is true I think they recruited him at nickelback.
Probably speaks more to the state of what's out there in terms of potential targets. With four scholarships available and all (Minus a spot I'm sure we'll hold to potentially attract Khalil Tate) of our transfer options essentially decided, we've reached the stage where any talented kid who hasn't signed or given an air-tight commitment (Is there such a thing?) is and should be an option.
So, somehow the coaching staff forces his hand to back out of a planned official visit, but then a few days later, the FSU staff is visiting? I really hope we didn’t overplay our hand, especially on a local kid like Shammond. Especially when he sees Coleman visit Utah and Cumby visit TT without any repercussions from the staff.
I would take info here with a grain of salt. I’m sure the coaching staff talked to shammond about the visit. I wouldn’t dig too deep into “forced his hand” I’m sure he could have done whatever he wanted
Also, we recruited shammond very differently from Cumby and Coleman. So the closing would be different as well
Deleted member 656517
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“I still have a lot of room to grow,” Barnes said. “Especially my freshman year, I feel like I can learn a lot from the players and coaches. But growing older in the program, I feel like I have the ability to be a support in the middle who will be able to hold up.” He’ll be playing lb for us not nickel. It sounds like he understands he needs to get in here and develop physically to hold up as a line backer in the BIG. IMO his highlights are extremely similar to Khalan Tolson so I’d expect his path to pt be similar.
You're sure he could have done whatever he wanted and not had his scholarship pulled?
He was actually on the radar before that. Looks like they are going over tape and making offers to those left they like. Such as the DB today.
No. But I would be surprised if we said we would pull the offer
Hope we get this kid and he plays nickel. Then we can call him the "Essissima Bandit!"
I know....bad attempt at humor and most too young to have any idea to what I was trying to refer.
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