Illinois Football Recruiting Thread

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#1      

Dan

Dan
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Welcome to the Illinois Football Recruiting Thread :illinois:


2025 Illini Transfer Portal Signees

1) LB Leon Lowery (December 17th, 2024)
2) QB Ethan Hampton (December 19th, 2024)
3) WR Justin Bowick (December 21st, 2024)
4) DL Curt Neal (December 23rd, 2024)
5) DL James Thompson (December 27th, 2024)
6) WR Hudson Clement (January 2nd, 2025)
7) DB Murphy Clement (January 2nd, 2025)
8) DL Tomiwa Durojaiye (January 2nd, 2025)
9) OL Ayden Knapik (January 9th, 2025)
10) TE Davin Stoffel (January 9th, 2025)
11) P Keelan Crimmins (January 9th, 2025)


2026 Illini Football Commits

1) QB Michael Clayton (November 10th, 2024)
2) DL Kingston Shaw (January 1st, 2025)
3) WR Davon Grant (January 8th, 2025)


2025 Illini Football Signees

fightingillini.com

Illinois Football Signs 21 on National Signing Day - University of Illinois Athletics

The Illinois football program signed 21 student-athletes Wednesday comprising of the Illini's 2025 signing class.
fightingillini.com fightingillini.com
 
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#5      
Indy Illini Fan
boom smile GIF
 
#10      
EyeoftheIllini
After yesterday’s game, I’m of the mind that Illini definitely need to bring in a second WR transfer. There may be talent in the WR room now, but it is very short on production. Was hoping to see multiple players step up in PB’s absence. Beatty did, but not so much the others.

On a slightly different non-recruiting subject, a lot of people have been critical of the lack of use of TEs in passing game over the recent years. Sounds like with Rusk returning from injury and staff targeting some pass catching TEs, this might change. I think just as important could be using the RBs more efficiently in passing game. Maybe our OLine is to blame for plays getting blown up from the start, but too often those plays have no chance at all for success.
 
#12      
Rich
EyeoftheIllini said:
After yesterday’s game, I’m of the mind that Illini definitely need to bring in a second WR transfer. There may be talent in the WR room now, but it is very short on production. Was hoping to see multiple players step up in PB’s absence. Beatty did, but not so much the others.

On a slightly different non-recruiting subject, a lot of people have been critical of the lack of use of TEs in passing game over the recent years. Sounds like with Rusk returning from injury and staff targeting some pass catching TEs, this might change. I think just as important could be using the RBs more efficiently in passing game. Maybe our OLine is to blame for plays getting blown up from the start, but too often those plays have no chance at all for success.
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Loved Elzy recruitment arc and I hope he can step up next year and be the stud he know he is, but so far hasn't gotten there
 
#17      
TheChief4Life
EyeoftheIllini said:
After yesterday’s game, I’m of the mind that Illini definitely need to bring in a second WR transfer. There may be talent in the WR room now, but it is very short on production. Was hoping to see multiple players step up in PB’s absence. Beatty did, but not so much the others.

On a slightly different non-recruiting subject, a lot of people have been critical of the lack of use of TEs in passing game over the recent years. Sounds like with Rusk returning from injury and staff targeting some pass catching TEs, this might change. I think just as important could be using the RBs more efficiently in passing game. Maybe our OLine is to blame for plays getting blown up from the start, but too often those plays have no chance at all for success.
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I felt most of yesterday‘s success or lack thereof was due purely to game script. I didn’t feel like anyone necessarily had a “bad” game or didn’t step up when given opportunity.
 
#18      
mhuml32
TheChief4Life said:
I felt most of yesterday‘s success or lack thereof was due purely to game script. I didn’t feel like anyone necessarily had a “bad” game or didn’t step up when given opportunity.
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Agree. Only preferred outcome change I would have liked to see is more from Dixon, to increase the confidence he can step up and provide 35-40 catches next year. Beatty seems primed to take a big leap next year and Lunney will likely move him around to get the matchups he wants.
 
#19      
NashvILLe05
mhuml32 said:
Agree. Only preferred outcome change I would have liked to see is more from Dixon, to increase the confidence he can step up and provide 35-40 catches next year. Beatty seems primed to take a big leap next year and Lunney will likely move him around to get the matchups he wants.
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Yeah, I was hoping for more from Dixon. He’s still so young. Did make one big downfield play that setup a TD though. Agree with the poster that said we need another proven WR portal option. Big Z was such a gamer yesterday as our #1.
 
#21      
HensonHall71
EyeoftheIllini said:
After yesterday’s game, I’m of the mind that Illini definitely need to bring in a second WR transfer. There may be talent in the WR room now, but it is very short on production. Was hoping to see multiple players step up in PB’s absence. Beatty did, but not so much the others.
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In fairness the coaching staff is trying to do just that- they appear to be going after the WVU WR Clement who can be an X or Z type receiver and has a lot of snaps under his belt in a P4 conference- if we land him, then we’d have him, Beatty and Bewick possibly starting which all have a lot of starts/catches and would be a very reliable trio.

Hopefully Elzy, Dixon ACJ or Hollins steps up but having proven WRs means we don’t have to bet on that going into next year
 
#24      
EyeoftheIllini
TheChief4Life said:
I felt most of yesterday‘s success or lack thereof was due purely to game script. I didn’t feel like anyone necessarily had a “bad” game or didn’t step up when given opportunity.
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I’d agree with that, but we’re losing two very good to great receivers and I haven’t seen much to indicate we have sure fire replacements waiting in the wings. Not saying there isn’t talent there, but I’d feel better with some talent with a track record of performance.
 
#25      
EyeoftheIllini
HensonHall71 said:
In fairness the coaching staff is trying to do just that- they appear to be going after the WVU WR Clement who can be an X or Z type receiver and has a lot of snaps under his belt in a P4 conference- if we land him, then we’d have him, Beatty and Bewick possibly starting which all have a lot of starts/catches and would be a very reliable trio.

Hopefully Elzy, Dixon ACJ or Hollins steps up but having proven WRs means we don’t have to bet on that going into next year
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Again, not down on staff and I know they’re trying to improve the team in multiple areas. Just that some have expressed that WR not a crucial area to add another transfer beyond guy we just signed. I didn’t have much of an opinion either way before the game. Now I think it is still a need. Just my opinion.
 
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