Illinois Football Recruiting Thread

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#651      

Illinirog70

Illinirog70
Illinirog70
It seems like we've had a drought of actual recruiting news for a while, and I wonder if it is the result of the up-coming bowl game and the staff not recruiting over the guys playing in their last game.

We can sure use offensive and defensive linemen, a quarterback, defensive backs, a running back and a wide receiver or two (is that everyone?) All we've gotten so far is a defensive back, and have lost several current players.

Could it be also that there is uncertainty surrounding the defensive coordinator that keeps defensive transferees from committing?

I just hope that our momentum doesn't peter out.

Have we heard any other hard news?
 
#652      

Illiniam1984

I
Illiniam1984
Illinirog70 said:
It seems like we've had a drought of actual recruiting news for a while, and I wonder if it is the result of the up-coming bowl game and the staff not recruiting over the guys playing in their last game.

We can sure use offensive and defensive linemen, a quarterback, defensive backs, a running back and a wide receiver or two (is that everyone?) All we've gotten so far is a defensive back, and have lost several current players.

Could it be also that there is uncertainty surrounding the defensive coordinator that keeps defensive transferees from committing?

I just hope that our momentum doesn't peter out.

Have we heard any other hard news?
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There are rumors that TDV and Chase are coming back. There are a couple official visits this weekend. Maybe more. Relax!
 
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#660      

mhuml32

mhuml32
Cincinnati, OH
mhuml32
Lysol623 said:
It's not about the improvement in terms of stats. It's about getting legit Heisman name recognition and improving upon things the NFL is looking for. Pass protection and Receiving are two things he can get better at.
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He was getting Heisman recognition during portions of the season and that correlates with my statement on stats. You need absolutely bonker stats at running back to be a serious Heisman contender (Chase was often on the periphery of that discussion this year. Give him another 5-7 TDs and he becomes a serious contender).

Looking at PFF stats: (1) Chase's pass blocking was good following the first month of the season, comfortable enough that he won't be a liability as a rotational NFL back. (2) raising his receiving chops was accomplished this year. Going further would require him to transfer to a different offense. Brown is the bell cow under this offense, to the point that there isn't room for him to accrue 50-60 catches. I'd also have doubts that Chase's playing style lends himself to catch at that volume.

The mileage required for him to stick around is likely to dampen his '24 draft prospects. Again, the NIL parachute changes the calculus. If he can get enough money to stick around (or, gulp, go to a different school), it eliminates some of that risk. What's intriguing to me is how much money he would need to get from the collective to make it a sound, financial decision. Is $400k up front enough (2/3 of the first year salary for a late round pick)? Or would it need to be closer to seven-figures? We're all figuring this out.
 
#661      

mhuml32

mhuml32
Cincinnati, OH
mhuml32
Doing some checking on 247, the '23 class is now up to 7 top-1000 ranked commitments. Last year's number was 8. A couple possibilities to push that number past the '22 class: (a) Hayden recently got a fourth star on Rivals and his 247 composite hasn't been updated. He has a good chance to crack into that group, (b) a bunch of top-1000 guys still in the running for this staff - Hill, Elzy, Pierce, Dixon, Blackstock, etc.


Also of note, Alex Bray got a sizable bump yesterday.
 
#662      

Illiniam1984

I
Illiniam1984
mhuml32 said:
He was getting Heisman recognition during portions of the season and that correlates with my statement on stats. You need absolutely bonker stats at running back to be a serious Heisman contender (Chase was often on the periphery of that discussion this year. Give him another 5-7 TDs and he becomes a serious contender).

Looking at PFF stats: (1) Chase's pass blocking was good following the first month of the season, comfortable enough that he won't be a liability as a rotational NFL back. (2) raising his receiving chops was accomplished this year. Going further would require him to transfer to a different offense. Brown is the bell cow under this offense, to the point that there isn't room for him to accrue 50-60 catches. I'd also have doubts that Chase's playing style lends himself to catch at that volume.

The mileage required for him to stick around is likely to dampen his '24 draft prospects. Again, the NIL parachute changes the calculus. If he can get enough money to stick around (or, gulp, go to a different school), it eliminates some of that risk. What's intriguing to me is how much money he would need to get from the collective to make it a sound, financial decision. Is $400k up front enough (2/3 of the first year salary for a late round pick)? Or would it need to be closer to seven-figures? We're all figuring this out.
Click to expand...
A better offensive line may have helped him in adding on more yards (rushing and receiving) also TD’s. I think he would benefit with one more year in college IMHO. Let’s get some OL’s from the portal.
 
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#663      

mhuml32

mhuml32
Cincinnati, OH
mhuml32
Glad the staff worked quickly with Arkin (officially visiting this weekend). Saw he picked up offers from Pitt, Oklahoma State, and Mizzou yesterday.
 
#664      

mhuml32

mhuml32
Cincinnati, OH
mhuml32
Sitkowski calling it a career. Kudos to him and hopefully he gets a chance to start his coaching career on staff. This gives us our (likely) answer the staff will bring in two transfer QBs during this cycle. Maybe one if they bring in Leary? At least makes it an option to bring in a second to compete for the backup job.
 
#665      

Illiniam1984

I
Illiniam1984
mhuml32 said:
Sitkowski calling it a career. Kudos to him and hopefully he gets a chance to start his coaching career on staff. This gives us our (likely) answer the staff will bring in two transfer QBs during this cycle. Maybe one if they bring in Leary? At least makes it an option to bring in a second to compete for the backup job.
Click to expand...
college gameday sport GIF

They will not be bringing in Leary if TDV is granted a waiver and another year of eligibility. Only one transfer QB as a backup in that situation.
 
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#666      

illini0440

illini0440
illini0440
mhuml32 said:
Sitkowski calling it a career. Kudos to him and hopefully he gets a chance to start his coaching career on staff. This gives us our (likely) answer the staff will bring in two transfer QBs during this cycle. Maybe one if they bring in Leary? At least makes it an option to bring in a second to compete for the backup job.
Click to expand...
No one’s transferring to be a backup
 
#667      

illini0440

illini0440
illini0440
Illinirog70 said:
It seems like we've had a drought of actual recruiting news for a while, and I wonder if it is the result of the up-coming bowl game and the staff not recruiting over the guys playing in their last game.

We can sure use offensive and defensive linemen, a quarterback, defensive backs, a running back and a wide receiver or two (is that everyone?) All we've gotten so far is a defensive back, and have lost several current players.

Could it be also that there is uncertainty surrounding the defensive coordinator that keeps defensive transferees from committing?

I just hope that our momentum doesn't peter out.

Have we heard any other hard news?
Click to expand...
Jesus
 
#673      

Illiniam1984

I
Illiniam1984
Devin Leary is a really good QB however will he be 100% healthy and can he produce like he did in 2021? I’m not so certain….
 
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