Illinois Football Recruiting Thread

[Illinivek23]

do we have any chance with that lad from Ball St - Carson Steele ?
it would be easy for friends and family to see him play by staying close to home and in the B1G

His 24/7 profile indicates he transferred to UCLA, announcing on 4 Jan.

 

[Mr. Tibbs]

His 24/7 profile indicates he transferred to UCLA, announcing on 4 Jan.

rats
I did see he took a visit out there 2 weeks ago, didnt know he committed

 

[Indy Illini Fan]

do we have any chance with that lad from Ball St - Carson Steele ?
it would be easy for friends and family to see him play by staying close to home and in the B1G

Carson is headed to UCLA … Known the kid for a long time, super happy for him …

 

[Indy Illini Fan]

Elzy will be an Illini

 

[LFOD]

It's good to see you, Denzel.

 

[KingWolf11]

This would be my favorite football recruiting win in a long time. He's so so good.

 

[BillyBob1]

In case you need a good laugh, there’s a story on ESPN that Michigan is being investigated for recruiting violations in football. Illegal contacts during the Covid period. A good laugh because nothing will happen.

 

[217sports]

Believe this is the last week/one of the last for hosting transfers to get them enrolled by the 16th. Period runs 1/4-8 so let's hope we have some visitors. Believe the EMU transfer is visiting

 

[IlliniFan85]

Another option at RB.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1611392918140354562

I would love this. A RB who can leak out and be a safety valve.

 

[mhuml32]

Has Bielema ever utilized a running back this small as a head coach? No doubt he is talented, just not sure he fits within the staff's plans based on their recent recruiting + Bielema's past. Laughery is on the smaller side of running back recruits at Illinois since BB took over and he's listed at 5'11 200lbs. Battie is listed at 5'8 165lbs.

 

[Battle89]

In case you need a good laugh, there’s a story on ESPN that Michigan is being investigated for recruiting violations in football. Illegal contacts during the Covid period. A good laugh because nothing will happen.

Too 'sick' to coach the games (so cancel them), not too sick to recruit.

 

[illinidarrin]

Has Bielema ever utilized a running back this small as a head coach? No doubt he is talented, just not sure he fits within the staff's plans based on their recent recruiting + Bielema's past. Laughery is on the smaller side of running back recruits at Illinois since BB took over and he's listed at 5'11 200lbs. Battie is listed at 5'8 165lbs.

If he could be a stud here as well, i don't think BB would care one bit.

 

[CogDog]

Any good NFL wr comps?

Good question. I’ll have to do some thinking about this.

 

[TentakilRex]

In case you need a good laugh, there’s a story on ESPN that Michigan is being investigated for recruiting violations in football. Illegal contacts during the Covid period. A good laugh because nothing will happen.

To paraphrase r/cfb, this investigation will lead to the NCAA throwing the book at Arizona State.

 

[GILL-INOIS]

Has Bielema ever utilized a running back this small as a head coach? No doubt he is talented, just not sure he fits within the staff's plans based on their recent recruiting + Bielema's past. Laughery is on the smaller side of running back recruits at Illinois since BB took over and he's listed at 5'11 200lbs. Battie is listed at 5'8 165lbs.

Unless I am missing someone he has never had a feature back at the RB position anywhere close to 5'8 165lbs

BB has used bigger backs before but Brown is definitely the biggest size one that had the biggest impact. Majority of his big time backs were in the 5'10 to 6'0 range and 195-220 lbs but he used bigger while at Wisconsin, Arkansas and now Illinois.

Just being Laughery's first year with team but he is the typical size BB utilized most at Wisconsin

BB has an exquisite eye for talent and college game you can have backs of all different sizes. That Battie kid will definitely have some teams after him.

 

[Mr. Tibbs]

Has Bielema ever utilized a running back this small as a head coach? No doubt he is talented, just not sure he fits within the staff's plans based on their recent recruiting + Bielema's past. Laughery is on the smaller side of running back recruits at Illinois since BB took over and he's listed at 5'11 200lbs. Battie is listed at 5'8 165lbs.

I have always thought it to be wise to have different types of running backs in the stable .
large , small , bruisers , slashers , ones to go up the middle & ones to get around the corner

 

[LFOD]

I have always thought it to be wise to have different types of running backs in the stable .
large , small , bruisers , slashers , ones to go up the middle & ones to get around the corner

Havard and Harvey will always be one of my favorite RB duos. I believe Harvey was around 160 lbs when he committed. He could fly...

 

[Illiniam1984]

Kaden Feagin is going to be a good one. Big and strong back with good speed for his size. His offer list is impressive.

 

[Illinois_2_AZ]

Havard and Harvey will always be one of my favorite RB duos. I believe Harvey was around 160 lbs when he committed. He could fly...

View attachment 22579

 

[GILL-INOIS]

Kaden Feagin is going to be a good one. Big and strong back with good speed for his size. His offer list is impressive.

I think Feagin is going to be good as well

Not sold if it will be as RB or hybrid type defender though

 

[TentakilRex]

I think Feagin is going to be good as well

Not sold if it will be as RB or hybrid type defender though

Might be on whoever the new RB and OLB coaches are?

Probably going to be a RB, but understand "not-RB" being an option.

 

[GILL-INOIS]

Might be on whoever the new RB and OLB coaches are?

Just opinion piece on my end

Super talented young man! Has a huge jump up in competition. Probably more comfortable playing RB but I think he could be more talented on the defensive side. I could care less since in the Orange and Blue

 

[NJJ871]

I have always thought it to be wise to have different types of running backs in the stable .
large , small , bruisers , slashers , ones to go up the middle & ones to get around the corner

I'm just being a smartass, but why not just recruit a Bo Jackson or Hershel Walker type and get all of your needs in one player?

 

[TriangleIL]

Unless I am missing someone he has never had a feature back at the RB position anywhere close to 5'8 165lbs

BB has used bigger backs before but Brown is definitely the biggest size one that had the biggest impact. Majority of his big time backs were in the 5'10 to 6'0 range and 195-220 lbs but he used bigger while at Wisconsin, Arkansas and now Illinois.

Just being Laughery's first year with team but he is the typical size BB utilized most at Wisconsin

BB has an exquisite eye for talent and college game you can have backs of all different sizes. That Battie kid will definitely have some teams after him.

Slow Friday at work

PJ Hill 5'10 200
John Clay 6'1 225
Montee Ball 5'10 180
James White 5'10 190
Melvin Gordon 6'1 195

I'm not sure how much we can take from this list. Almost all of our current RBs fall inside the same 5'10 - 6'1 range with same weight. (Jordan Anderson being the outlier at 6'4 240)

 

[LFOD]

Slow Friday at work

PJ Hill 5'10 200
John Clay 6'1 225
Montee Ball 5'10 180
James White 5'10 190
Melvin Gordon 6'1 195

I'm not sure how much we can take from this list. Almost all of our current RBs fall inside the same 5'10 - 6'1 range with same weight. (Jordan Anderson being the outlier at 6'4 240)

And McCray is bigger as well, at 6'1" 240.