Illinivek23
- Gurnee
Which of our coaches gives us the ESL connection?
Illinois Football Recruiting Thread
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Thad Ward I'm guessing. We also got Brandon Henderson from there last year, so maybe Bart Miller?
Boyd transferred out of esl
@Indy Illini Fan
@illini0440
Can either of you delve into what kept him? Saying "no" to top 15 programs and staying committed to Illinois doesn't happen a whole lot so I feel like I'm missing something, a lot of something.
I feel like I am watching myself after drinking a bottle of Jack Single Barrel watching us beat down Miznoz tomorrow. Although I am much (ahem) thinner.
Illini92and96
- Austin, TX
Hopefully this staff knows a bit more about recruiting and selling what we have compared to prior regimes! A top 500 ish Qb to start the class one year out from signing would be an aytipical start to a class and a good omen.
Maybe something to do with the kind of kid he is. Stuck it out at Mundelein instead of transferring. Lots of programs WAY better.
Good kid. But really just Bret and Bart and their ability to build a relationship with the kid and family and their track record with lineman doesn’t hurt either.
Excellent post. However, I do think depth is an issue. If Bielima can figure that piece out, we should be a perennial 7 game winning team.
Getting guys like this who were likely underrated given the quality of programs going after him and guys like AJ Dennis who played in a HS AA game (we haven't gotten a kid like that in a while!) it seems our OL talent is looking up for the future. Frankly, it's been my biggest disappointment in the Bielema era that he and Bart Miller haven't been able to build more depth and talent on the OL given their track record in putting guys in the NFL and my perception that Bart is a really good OL coach.
Hopefully the two transfers are a bridge next year to finally have an elite OL that we really need to get to the next level. Skill position players have greatly exceeded expectations the last couple of years - including QB, we just haven't had the OL play to see the full potential of the offense. Hopefully this is the beginning of the end of our OL issues in years to come.
Hansen, Dennis, and Stewart are probably the 3 best oline hs recruits in their tenure? From my mind. Throw Henderson into the mix too. Would be great if those 4 pan out, solid oline for years to come.
Illinivek23
- Gurnee
Isn't Shuster expected to be a significant contributor/potential starter next year? That would be 3 new Transfers/Jucos with size, maturity and experience added to the mix next year.
blackdog
- Champaign
Just going off memory but last years oline was pretty good. Kept Devito pretty clean all year and the running game was obviously a strength all year. They lost two really big pieces at C and LT who are on NFL rosters that they just couldn't seem to replace.
Illinifan533
- Normal, Illinois
I'd say next year is the year we can get a final verdict on how well Bielema has built up the o-line depth, which was abysmal when he entered. Some of the guys from the class of '22 need to pan out next year, no reason to load up on that many lineman and not have any of them be contributors.
illini80
- Forgottonia
It was a good, not great line last year. But sadly not quite good enough to get the 4th & 1 on multiple occasions. This years O-line improved a lot during the season after a very disappointing start. I sure hope we can build on that going into next year and not feel like we are starting from scratch again. It will feel so good when we know we can go for it in 4 down situations and have a high probability of converting.
Also didn't hurt this years line when Feagin started getting more tick
Illinivek23
- Gurnee
Braelon Edwards is returning for WI. Is there any movement on IW's?
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