Illinois Football Recruiting Thread

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#151      
Some news on the transfer front — both coming in and heading out — in Werner’s Daily Digest.

— Illini are keeping with its recent trend of looking at players from lower level teams with its offer to South Dakota WR Kody Case. In four seasons, the 5-foot-10, 175-pound wide receiver totaled 82 receptions for 1,157 yards. Not gonna move the bar much if at all, but guess no harm in taking a grad transfer for depth in an area that is needed.

— Matt Robinson transferring to Fresno State.

— Two guys who recently put name in portal have found a home with both DJ Johnson and Kalen Villanueva heading to La Tech.
 
#152      
— Illini are keeping with its recent trend of looking at players from lower level teams with its offer to South Dakota WR Kody Case. In four seasons, the 5-foot-10, 175-pound wide receiver totaled 82 receptions for 1,157 yards. Not gonna move the bar much if at all, but guess no harm in taking a grad transfer for depth in an area that is needed.

I think the staff really missed the boat on the transfer portal. Right after the season, there was a ton of movement and solid talent that was available and we were relatively quiet on that front (Devito, Edwards, etc.). There was some chatter that they were waiting until after the spring session to see who was/not available. I think it's clear that the time to strike was before. We have a real need at positions like WR and there were lots available. But, to have to go down multiple levels and get guys that haven't produced much at those schools seems more like roster filler than anything impactful, which is unfortunate
 
#153      
I think the staff really missed the boat on the transfer portal. Right after the season, there was a ton of movement and solid talent that was available and we were relatively quiet on that front (Devito, Edwards, etc.). There was some chatter that they were waiting until after the spring session to see who was/not available. I think it's clear that the time to strike was before. We have a real need at positions like WR and there were lots available. But, to have to go down multiple levels and get guys that haven't produced much at those schools seems more like roster filler than anything impactful, which is unfortunate
Last year's 82 receptions for 1,157 yards shows production.
 
#155      

Mr. Tibbs

southeast DuPage
I was about 11 when my folks took the family to Arizona to visit relatives and we stopped in Colorado Springs for a few days on the way back and did a morning trip to the Academy . I thought the letters on the seats was SO COOL . it was 1972 .


1654211855829.png
 
#156      

IlliniFan85

Colorado Springs, CO
I was about 11 when my folks took the family to Arizona to visit relatives and we stopped in Colorado Springs for a few days on the way back and did a morning trip to the Academy . I thought the letters on the seats was SO COOL . it was 1972 .


View attachment 18396
I drive past this all of the time. Air Force is visible from the interstate which is cool. But it is still grey.
 
#158      
I think they are desperate for anything at WR. It is going to take some work to bring in the receiving threats we want. Let's hope Lunney has a good eye and he will get us production this year.
 
#159      
those are his totals over 4 seasons. last year he had 12 receptions for 168 yds. Their transfer WR pickups are major headscratchers. Maybe they're finding diamonds in the rough but seems like a stretch.
I know nothing about the kid, but it does appear he’s battled injuries through much of his career. South Dakota also lost 1.5 years to Covid. Appears that he may only have played in 23 games in his time at SD. Like others, I would prefer a transfer with better track record and from a P5 school, but his stats might be a bit misleading. Not expecting big things, but hopefully he can contribute.
 
#161      
I know nothing about the kid, but it does appear he’s battled injuries through much of his career. South Dakota also lost 1.5 years to Covid. Appears that he may only have played in 23 games in his time at SD. Like others, I would prefer a transfer with better track record and from a P5 school, but his stats might be a bit misleading. Not expecting big things, but hopefully he can contribute.
https://goyotes.com/sports/football/roster/kody-case/11911
https://stats.goyotes.com/custompages/sports/m-footbl/2021/teamcume.htm

He's played in 32 career games over 4 seasons (sat out 2020) with career averages of 2.6 receptions for 36.2 yards/game. 5'10" 175 lbs. The team averaged 16.6 completions and 207 yds/game so it's not like he was dominating targets or yardage. In fact he only had the 8th most catches and 5th most yards...on an FCS team....in his 5th season.
I could kind of understand taking a chance on the other kid who at least had experience in a Big Ten program and some production at Kent State, but to my untrained football eyes, this seems like an uninspiring addition. Only thing I can think of is they are taking these super super seniors to show all the young WR what maturity and competing every day looks like, and maybe provide emergency depth, but I'd be shocked if this kid does much of anything unless he's a special teams ace.
Just seems like if they were wanting receiving production out of these pickups there were dozens and dozens of options that would be more likely to pan out, even from group of 5 or other FCS schools. Would love to be wrong and have the staff show that SD was neglecting to use a world-beating WR but won't hold my breath.
 
#162      
https://goyotes.com/sports/football/roster/kody-case/11911
https://stats.goyotes.com/custompages/sports/m-footbl/2021/teamcume.htm

He's played in 32 career games over 4 seasons (sat out 2020) with career averages of 2.6 receptions for 36.2 yards/game. 5'10" 175 lbs. The team averaged 16.6 completions and 207 yds/game so it's not like he was dominating targets or yardage. In fact he only had the 8th most catches and 5th most yards...on an FCS team....in his 5th season.
I could kind of understand taking a chance on the other kid who at least had experience in a Big Ten program and some production at Kent State, but to my untrained football eyes, this seems like an uninspiring addition. Only thing I can think of is they are taking these super super seniors to show all the young WR what maturity and competing every day looks like, and maybe provide emergency depth, but I'd be shocked if this kid does much of anything unless he's a special teams ace.
Just seems like if they were wanting receiving production out of these pickups there were dozens and dozens of options that would be more likely to pan out, even from group of 5 or other FCS schools. Would love to be wrong and have the staff show that SD was neglecting to use a world-beating WR but won't hold my breath.
I don’t disagree with anything you said. As I said in previous post, I’d much prefer a guy with a proven track record from a bigger school. Not sure why BB and Co haven’t been more aggressive in that area. Or maybe last year’s passing production and a backup QB from Syracuse aren’t providing much interest for those kinds of players despite a new OC. I wonder if BB’s rep as an RB/OL friendly coach has played any part in that. Regardless, certainly needs to change and hopefully this season will help make that happen.

I’m not expecting big things from this kid. I was just pointing out that he has dealt with injuries and a lost and an abbreviated season. If he remains healthy, he does seem to have some talent — 14 career games of 3 or more receptions and 9 of more than 50 yards, including games of 11 catches for 144 yards, 5 for 111, and 3 for 130. Again, not expecting anything like those games, but hopefully he can contribute some. Coaching staff seems to think he might be able to.
 
#163      
A lot of wailing and gnashing of teeth over Cody Kase, but was the offer for a PWO? 24/7 is showing that he entered the transfer portal on 5/1 and re-enrolled at USD yesterday.
 
#164      
A lot of wailing and gnashing of teeth over Cody Kase, but was the offer for a PWO? 24/7 is showing that he entered the transfer portal on 5/1 and re-enrolled at USD yesterday.
Well I don’t think any teeth are being gnashed — just not much to talk about until info about how official visits are going this weekend begins to leak out. I did just check out Case’s Twitter and no mention of going back to USD, and his announcement that he was going into portal is still pinned.
 
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