Illinois Football Recruiting Thread

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#177      
mhuml32
It's concerning that Koziol is already splitting because it's a rule of thumb that leaving now implies you weren't going to play or your role wasn't what you expected (ex: Anthony Johnson). That said, getting another TE is a no-brainer (without thinking about roster limit decisions). Unless someone just offered him a bounty to leave Madison, I would be shocked if Illinois wasn't involved.
 
#178      
Ander1345
Idk, my theory is Luke Fickell's coaching archetype is "angry." And he's starting to feel the pressure of not wanting Bucky to find the 40 million dollars stashed somewhere to buy him out. Rumors seem to be he pushes his guys really hard, to the point where it's a take it or leave it kind of thing. Not sure that's sustainable anymore.
 
#179      
therealmiket86
mhuml32 said:
It's concerning that Koziol is already splitting because it's a rule of thumb that leaving now implies you weren't going to play or your role wasn't what you expected (ex: Anthony Johnson). That said, getting another TE is a no-brainer (without thinking about roster limit decisions). Unless someone just offered him a bounty to leave Madison, I would be shocked if Illinois wasn't involved.
Click to expand...

Or it just means that Fickle is a douche
 
#182      
mhuml32
Context for the leap currently occurring in the 2026 recruiting class. Here is the list of Illinois commits in the Bielema era with 15+ Power-4 Offers besides Illinois.

Malik Elzy - Class of 2023
Saboor Karriem - Class of 2023
Eddie Tuerk - Class of 2024
AJ Dennis - Class of 2024
Michael Clayton - Class of 2026
Kenyon Alston - Class of 2026
Victor Singleton - Class of 2026
Cam Thomas - Class of 2026
Javari Barnett - Class of 2026
Tony Balanganayi - Class of 2026
 
#183      
TheFlyingIllini1317
mhuml32 said:
Context for the leap currently occurring in the 2026 recruiting class. Here is the list of Illinois commits in the Bielema era with 15+ Power-4 Offers besides Illinois.

Malik Elzy - Class of 2023
Saboor Karriem - Class of 2023
Eddie Tuerk - Class of 2024
AJ Dennis - Class of 2024
Michael Clayton - Class of 2026
Kenyon Alston - Class of 2026
Victor Singleton - Class of 2026
Cam Thomas - Class of 2026
Javari Barnett - Class of 2026
Tony Balanganayi - Class of 2026
Click to expand...
Surprised Feagin didn't have 15. I expect us to add to that list this class
 
#188      
Chuck Nuggets
Dan said:
https://twitter.com/x/status/1912977742015897857
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Season 4 Reaction GIF by The Office
 
#191      
MajorNathanMaxwellJanice
mhuml32 said:
It's concerning that Koziol is already splitting because it's a rule of thumb that leaving now implies you weren't going to play or your role wasn't what you expected (ex: Anthony Johnson). That said, getting another TE is a no-brainer (without thinking about roster limit decisions). Unless someone just offered him a bounty to leave Madison, I would be shocked if Illinois wasn't involved.
Click to expand...
Did you by chance get to read Wiscy related articles published Tuesday and Wednesday?

Besides the news that their planned starting left tackle was out for 2025 with an ACL, the Badger QB situation seems to be no bueno.

One piece used the descriptor “shaky”, another identified the position as “a big question mark” going into fall camp. Two transfers, one from Maryland, the other from the west coast (forget where at moment); neither making a strong impression, evidently.

Also, the O coordinator is new to Wisconsin; same dude that “engineered” the Kansas Jayhawks last year. So Fickell’s Air Raid personnel is getting a transition to a new system and all that entails.

As a rule of thumb, if you’re a highly sought after transfer, walking into all of…..that; and you’ve got the perfectly legal and discretionary ability to ‘nope’ out, to take a transfer mulligan and go to a program that: won 10 games last year, has an established top level quarterback returning (and all five online starters), had interest in you as a transfer last December, was the transfer landing spot for three(3)! of Wiscy’s players from last year, has your former offense-minded HC on staff, also has a pass catcher teammate of yours (Bowick), from a very successful year for the both of you last season, and, you’ve got one single season of college ball remaining, do you stay put?; or, do you pull those ejection handles and get out of there while the getting is good? I mean, c’mon.

I’d call splitting that scene common sense.

Even if the Illini are not his final landing spot, he’s almost certain to land in a new situation that’s better for his particular final year development and exposure than what he’s escaping from.
 
#194      
mhuml32
Based on his choice of Houston, I'll assume he wasn't worried about Wisconsin's QB situation.
 
#195      
mhuml32
mhuml32 said:
Predictions

Nasir Rankin WR/DB
Anderson TE
King Liggins DL
Marlen Bright OT
Tucker Ashford DE
Almirian Thomas DB
Javari Barnett RB ✔️ (Upgrade over Warner)
Blake Smythe DL
Owen Fors OG
Messiah Tilson DB
Kai Pritchard OT
TBD Late Bloomer
TBD Late Bloomer
Click to expand...



Predictions

Nasir Rankin WR/DB
JC Anderson TE
King Liggins DL
Marlen Bright OT
Tucker Ashford DE
Almirian Thomas DB ✔️
Javari Barnett RB ✔️ (Upgrade over Warner)
Tony Balanganayi DL ✔️ (Upgrade over Smythe)
Owen Fors OG
Messiah Tilson DB
Kai Pritchard OT
Tony Williams LB ✔️ (Replaced Late Bloomer Spot)
TBD Late Bloomer


*Assuming the commitment from Williams means the door has closed on Eberhart (though I'm sure the staff would take him if things change) :(
*Ashford is moving up the list of priority for me. Getting Kingston Shaw locked in first is looking better and better, but they need another edge and there's a noticeable drop off from Ashford to guys like Crim.
 
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