Good lord... Looking like Ryan is going to be a major problem for us to add to the litany of other major problems for us recruitingwise. Hard to believe he's getting so much buy-in so fast there.
Illinois Football Recruiting Thread
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It may not last if he keeps losing games though.
One can hope, but if he keeps stockpiling talent, it gets a lot harder to lose a bunch of games unless he goes all Scott Frost and Nebraska's himself. Just really don't like the idea of him winning recruiting battle after recruiting battle against us.
We haven’t had back to back winning seasons in like forever? Once, we show that we can consistently have winning seasons, recruits will notice. They should concentrate on the portal in the offseason and get some experience on the offensive line.
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I think certain staffs are good at recruiting, can step into a bad situation and still pull in good players
mhuml32
- Cincinnati, OH
Whether JuCo lineman >> HS lineman is still very TBD. The JuCo lineman approach has been Adams (definite success), Crisler (bad), and the rest is very TBD. The guys that Illinois prioritized but went elsewhere (Blackstock + Wiggins), guys that seemed very likely to start if they came to Illinois, are playing very sparingly and have been a mixed bag. The portal lineman haven't been recent, but is there really that much of a difference? Badovinac was good, Jeresaty was bad, Davis was moved to DL. There's less of them, and we still have a lot to learn about Crisler (can he be average at guard? Is he healthier? Last game brought some optimism), Leys, and Schuster.
We're likely about to learn a lot about the HS line recruiting in 2024. Plenty of guys (Whitenack, Okla, Moller, Barley, and Leonard) are going into their third year and will need to push for playing time. Lots of buzz about Henderson. Both tackle spots will be open competition. Barring transfers, we could see a '24 offensive line something like this:
LT - Henderson (r-FR)
LG - Gesky (r-JR)
C - Kreutz (r-JR)
RG - Crisler (SR)
RT - Whitenack (JR)
I'm guessing the staff would REALLY want another tackle option because it would mean going into next season with two tackles who have yet to make a start. Whether that's a portal or JuCo option - someone they believe can come in and provide snaps in a swing tackle option or compete to start.
mhuml32
- Cincinnati, OH
Interpret as you wish, but there was some ranking bumps for Illinois commitments on 247:
Josaiah Knight from 86 to 88 (now highest ranked recruit)
Demetrius John from 86 to 87
Zafir Stewart - same on 247 but composite jumped.
Brandon Hansen from 85 to 86
Joe Barna from 85 to 86
Tanner Hollinger from 82 to 86
Josaiah Knight from 86 to 88 (now highest ranked recruit)
Demetrius John from 86 to 87
Zafir Stewart - same on 247 but composite jumped.
Brandon Hansen from 85 to 86
Joe Barna from 85 to 86
Tanner Hollinger from 82 to 86
Whatever became of the big lineman from another country? Thought he was supposed to be a beast?
While that's nice, our class' avg star ranking is still 16th out of 18 (only IU and NW worse) in the conference. I understand Bielema is going to be a developmental coach, but a program like UI needs to get more talent than this. It's just not sustainable to be consistently at a talent deficit to most of the teams you play
Magnus is moving along. He has been on the travel roster.
I'm most curious about the '25s (especially in-state) regarding unofficials. I think I've seen Jaylen Williams from Palatine is coming. But, others are headed to competitor campuses. Would be nice to have Chris Burgess visit and Nathaniel Marshall (again)
I’ve seen a fair amount of players that are scheduled for visits this weekend— some of them 2025 and 2026. Not sure if they are from in state nor if they are too targets, but sure looks like a nice win might pay some dividends.
Here are those that I’ve seen thus far who are visiting outside of those who have already verbally committed. Doubt I’ve got everyone.
2024
ATH Antonio Russell — IL
WR AJ Abrams — IL
3* DB Jaren Sensabaugh — Vandy commit from TN
EDGE Justin Lawton — IL
2025
4* DL Jaylen Williams — IL
4* DB Andre Lovett — IL
Ath Jaquan Duckett — IL
WR Khamarion Wade — IL
ATH Mar’Quan Gary — IL
OL Griffin Rousseau — WI
S Darrion Jones — FL
2026
LB Kingston Dunagan — IL
Ath Elliott Turner III — IL
2024
ATH Antonio Russell — IL
WR AJ Abrams — IL
3* DB Jaren Sensabaugh — Vandy commit from TN
EDGE Justin Lawton — IL
2025
4* DL Jaylen Williams — IL
4* DB Andre Lovett — IL
Ath Jaquan Duckett — IL
WR Khamarion Wade — IL
ATH Mar’Quan Gary — IL
OL Griffin Rousseau — WI
S Darrion Jones — FL
2026
LB Kingston Dunagan — IL
Ath Elliott Turner III — IL
Visit this weekend from Michael Harris II. a 2025 TE from Milwaukee. Not much info on him, but did notice he’s from same high school as Jamarion Batemon, a 2025 CG that bball has offered.
Recently watched a local kid from Princeton High School named Casey Etheridge. I believe he's an RB in the class of '26 and definitely worth a look by the staff.
Casey Etheridge's High School Career Home
Check out Casey Etheridge's high school sports timeline including updates while playing football at Princeton High School (IL).
www.maxpreps.com
Ryan Wingo's Crystal Ball Predictions
247sports.com
Williams Nwaneri, Lee's Summit North , Defensive Line
2022: Key player up front for Lee’s Summit North, which went 12-2 and made it to the Missouri Class 6 state title game. Totaled 56 tackles (10 TFL), 12 sacks...
247sports.com
If I am Bielema, I have my staff reaching out to IL legislators to enact a similar NIL clause as Missouri has to enable in-state athletes to get NIL as soon as they verbal. When you have UM, ND, OSU, etc. consistently landing in-state top talent, why not have a few extra levers that are a true, defensible competitive advantage
And a 2027 visiting Saturday. Also saw that a 2025 QB from Hersey will be at the game too.
blackdog
- Champaign
Not just a 2027, THE 2027 recruit. A+ priority local kid. Definitely need to keep his interest early because he's probably going to have big suitors.
mhuml32
- Cincinnati, OH
blackdog
- Champaign
This is just from the first two weeks of the season but should be enough to paint a picture. Kid posted a 10.97 100 M time as an 8th grader.....
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And another visitor — #10 in Illinois state rankings.
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