Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
6' 2" DB out of FL (2024):
Illinois Football Recruiting Thread
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Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
VIP article ($), but VG news. Another big target:
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
no clue if we're in the top tier, but I flippin' love the renewed push into Ohio. Mine that vein.
This is a big one. Not a lot of traction with top in-state targets, so here's one that would be great to make an impression on
Seems like a pretty big concern with the staff as it is now constructed. Not at all tapped into the recruiting scene, but it seems that the departure of our guys to Purdue and the ensuing staff changes has put a pretty significant dent in our ability to get guys to commit this year. Hopefully that changes soon.
I think recruiting is a valid concern, although I am not sure the Purdue changes had much to do with it. Walters was likely a good recruiter, but was focused on the big fish (Austin Brown, Jyaire Hill, etc.) that we weren't able to land. Arguably, Kane was a decent loss. CP was likely the most overrated. Aside from the Trinity group (also overrated), we really didn't make much of a dent in STL or surrounding areas.
We still need things to fall our way a bit. Unfortunately, the top in-state studs are mostly brand-hunting (ND, Clemson, OSU, etc.). We don't really have the Feagins and Elzys in that top group that are willing to go outside blue-blood. Also why that 6-15 group is so important. Need to land the guys like Tuerk, L. Williams, T. Griffin, the Mt Carmel RB, A. Alexander, etc.
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
I don't see any evidence that supports that theory.
I'm not sure it's so much that extreme, rather the perceived lack of any positive trend in recruiting. If we can't gain recruiting momentum after last year.... then I'm not sure we ever will. I'm not asking for all top Illinois recruits to come to Illinois or stacking our recruits with all 4- and 5-star players, but I am certainly concerned with recruting right now.
As I said, I'm not tapped into recruiting, but there is at at the least a little evidence.
2024 Recruit Big-Ten Football Team Rankings
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Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
As I said, I'm not tapped into recruiting, but there is at at the least a little evidence.
2024 Recruit Big-Ten Football Team Rankings
In order to create the most comprehensive Team Recruiting Ranking without any notion of bias, 247Sports Team Recruiting Ranking is solely based on the 247Sports Composite Rating.
Way too early to be concerned, IMO. Last year we were stuck on 1 recruit (Feagin) for quite awhile.
FWLIW, I'm encouraged by our targets and the percentage that appear to have serious interest.
Agree, much to be encouraged by as far as targets and visits!
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
chiefini
- Rockford, Illinois
There couldn’t be better representatives, ambassadors, and advocates for Illinois Football! I hope all the recruits were watching!
lliniForLife
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mhuml32
- Cincinnati, OH
Opposite points being made here but not sure either fits. It's still extremely early but the trends show Illinois won't be as involved, competitive, or secure commitments for in-state top-10/15 recruits as they did in 2022 + 2023. Could easily brush those concerns of with ABI, schools, recruits getting blue-chip offers, isolated to the '24 class, but it's not great. You have to hope for some late bloomers (TBD), bigger success outside the state (early signs are good), and hitting on the few, top targets that are interested (TBD).
I don't think the specific number of staff heading to Purdue is a factor. Is there a single recruit in the Chicago area that was really excited about Illinois but now isn't after staff changes? Haven't seen it. This seems like an issue that became apparent to the staff near the end of last fall.
No one is expecting an orange curtain around the state. BB seems to be making great, lasting connections to the state. It's (hopefully) repairing old wounds created by past staffs and program football struggles. That said, this renewed push by Bielema needs to have a pay-off. There isn't a hard line but you can make a compelling argument that annually getting a handful of the top-15 in-state prospects is necessary for what the athletic department, football, and the staff are committing through branding, social media, $$, and time within the state. For example, getting Lightfoot, Tuerk, Alexander, & Dupree wouldn't qualify as locking down the state, not even close, but it shows the investment in the state is paying off. Also likely requires a "proof of concept" scenario where these higher regarded in-state prospects develop, succeed at Illinois, and then get drafted, before the Illinois staff is allowed to shop in the Justin Scott aisle of prospect quality.
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
Top 15 ish kids are the target, for sure. Outside of really local kids, when was the last time we had success with Top ~15 targets?
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
More than 2 in a class? pre-staff shakeup Zook
mhuml32
- Cincinnati, OH
The 2023 class. One was local (Feagin) but the two others are stretched across the state (Elzy - Simeon + Henderson - ESTL). You also had a down-to-the-wire shot at Jyaire Hill (Kankakee), which would have given Illinois two of the top four ranked recruits in the state. Even peak Zook recruiting years didn't achieve that.
Understandably, Illinois has advantages when it comes to recruits very close to campus. But this staff has shown that they can recruit top-15/national-400 recruits across the state the past two years. The on-field success, and the '23 recruiting success, shows that top-15 is still the target but you need to secure some of them to call it a success.
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
last year was an anomaly (low, low bar). with the vastly improved emphasis on in-state kids and much better results, we should get some traction. one thing's for sure, Beilema has a staff full of pros. No more setting for MAC-level kids or only one P5 offer kids.
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
We've struck gold with sleepers before (Bailey, Witherspoon). I have high hopes for Resetich. But obviously, depending on a class full of sleepers in no way to get through life, son.
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
FL Edge (2024), 4 star:
mhuml32
- Cincinnati, OH
This might be a distinction without a difference: it's definitely not panic time. The staff has earned trust and a looooong runway based on the first two years. Plus, if they told me someone like Resetich is a top-15 in-state player, I'll believe them. That said, I'm sure they know the '24 in-state class isn't trending like the first two years. It's also okay to say that's disappointing after such a good 2022 season, thinking that would help push the program's recruiting success forward, even incrementally.
I think the best way to help the recruiting part of the program is to remain positive about the program. They are coming into year 3 I believe after a better-than-expected run last year. Stay positive, move forward, BB knows what he is doing. Support the team and the staff.
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