Joel Goodson
- dawgville
Illinois Football Recruiting Thread
- Status
Mongo like Candy
DeonThomas
- South Carolina
Ahah - short memory! My bad. Hoping we get someone who plays like either of the two!
My guess is that next year’s starter is not currently on the roster.
Yep, and you have to think we will be an attractive option for a talented QB. I'm very excited to see what kind of immediate talent the transfer portal will bring.
D-Line - Interior
Middle of the D-Line could need a complete makeover if Newton & Randolph go pro, along with Avery being out of eligibility. I'm thinking we'll be happy if we can keep Randolph, but Newton will probably be gone
illini80
- Forgottonia
I agree, but honestly it will be hard to do better than we have with DeVito.
Joel Goodson
- dawgville
zero chance. and, FWIW, I like Swanson a lot. Leary might see some snaps though, but in a seasoning role.
Joel Goodson
- dawgville
a better question may be who isn't
Joel Goodson
- dawgville
we have a great sell to JUCO OL and Adams is a major reason why:
"Mongo only pawn in game of life"
mhuml32
- Cincinnati, OH
QB offseason musical chairs is going to be interesting. There are two certainties:
- Tommy DeVito exhausts his eligibility (unless the IL illuminati starts a medical practice and backdates a significant injury from pre-COVID).
- Ryan Johnson exhausts his eligibility
Still not certain but likely:
- Cal Swanson is verbally committed to the Illinois and signs in November. Had D2 offers before Illinois got his commitment, since has had interest from bigger programs. Recruiting ranking sites have since juiced his ranking; now the highest rated Illinois QB recruit since Aaron Bailey (2013). Lunney's first QB recruit. Very unlikely to compete for the job next year. Very likely to redshirt.
- TBA Transfer Recruit #1 Bielema/Lunney try to replicate the 2022 cycle and bring in another transfer QB with intentions of making them the starter. Assuming it would be someone with one or two years of eligibility remaining. Former starter that was passed over during a coaching/scheme change? Heralded former recruit that is eager to prove themselves now? I would be very shocked if Illinois didn't bring in a QB via transfer portal.
After that, soooo much unknown:
- Art Sitkowski does he stick around another year without assurances he'll be the starting QB? I have serious doubts the coaching staff's plan is to hand everything over to him as the presumed starter. What if Illinois repeats 2022 and tells him they're going to bring in a transfer QB and he'll have a chance to compete for the job? Will he want to go down a level for a guaranteed starting opportunity (i.e., Miami OH)? Does he just want to move on with his life?
- Donovan Leary true freshman this year who has yet to take a snap. Signed when Peterson was OC. We have no idea if Lunney likes him long-term or not. Highly likely to need another year of development before he'll be competing to start. We'll be fun to see him in spring ball.
- Kirkland Michaux 21 year old freshman. Former baseball phenom that switched to football. His measurables stand out (6'4 220). Easy to project that he can sling it around. I'll believe anything - could Bielema let it slip in January that Michaux has a chance to compete for the job? Or he has a rocket but is erratic and struggles to read coverages?
- TBA Transfer Recruit #2 Could the staff decide to bring in two transfer QBs? Could see a scenario where a senior QB is brought in to start and another with 3-4 years of eligibility remaining to develop. Might signal that the staff isn't impressed with Leary and Michaux (or Lunney doesn't view Leary as a long-term option).
Most likely scenario for me is (a) senior transfer is brought in as presumed starter, (b) Art stays and is given a chance to compete but would likely have to wow coaches to win job, (c) Leary is given a chance to compete for the backup job but would also have to wow to win the job, (d) Michaux is 3rd or 4th string, (e) Swanson redshirts.
You could also see a scenario where Art and Leary leave (Art wants to start and Leary doesn't feel he's a fit with Lunney), therefore putting a lot of pressure on the transfer QB to come in, excel, and stay healthy. This is the scenario where Illinois would consider a second transfer to raise their performance floor in case the starter is injured.
Christmas portal wish list:
not many seniors on the roster but between transfers and pros were going to have to fill spots.
offensive side:
1 junior/ senior level starting QB, can run but must be an accurate passer, able to make simple reads.
1 RB to compliment McCray, might see them in the backfield together
1 possession receivers (maybe 2)
1 o-linemen 1 starter and ? one rotation piece
defensive side
1-2 interior linemen (possible starting positions available)
1-2 linebackers we need depth here more than anywhere on the field
1 DB how many stick around? might need 2-3, rotational at least
not many seniors on the roster but between transfers and pros were going to have to fill spots.
offensive side:
1 junior/ senior level starting QB, can run but must be an accurate passer, able to make simple reads.
1 RB to compliment McCray, might see them in the backfield together
1 possession receivers (maybe 2)
1 o-linemen 1 starter and ? one rotation piece
defensive side
1-2 interior linemen (possible starting positions available)
1-2 linebackers we need depth here more than anywhere on the field
1 DB how many stick around? might need 2-3, rotational at least
Joel Goodson
- dawgville
If Devin Leary (Donovan's brother) wants a change of scenery, he'd be a good successor to TDV.
mhuml32
- Cincinnati, OH
Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, Tennessee, etc. would line up massive NIL dollars to get Leary if he actually wanted to leave NC State. He was a megastar last year. Still excellent this year but was playing through injuries and a battered line, now out for the year.
Joel Goodson
- dawgville
Those schools don't have his brother on the roster. Not to mention, we offer a pretty darn compelling story (it's raining donuts).
Mr. Tibbs
- southeast DuPage
in the words of the immortal Bum Phillips , I heard Kirkland Michaux can throw the ball through a car wash and it won’t get wet
I think DJ U from Clemson will likely get the Cade McNamara treatment. If Spencer Rattler went to South Carolina then maybe Illinois has a shot. Probably not but definitely in a better position than last year.
If Donovan is anything like his brother, then they may wanna stick with the Leary already on the roster.
Rattler knew Shane Beamer from Oklahoma so there was a connection there.
I want nothing to do with DJ U. Over-rated!!! Just my opinion having watched Donavan Leary's and Cal Swanson's highlights, Cal looks like what BB and Lunney are wanting. The kid can sling it, extends plays with his quickness and can take it to the house if he takes off. I don't think either will be ready to start next year though. Need a transfer for at least a year.
- Status