Illinois Football Recruiting Thread
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Click link above in my prior post.
The answer is no. Luke had higher ratings.
Illini ended up with Daniel Barker in that 2018 class. Mercurial dude. Made that odd transfer to Sparty at the end of career. In between, some highlight moments for Illini. Ended up the better pass catcher no doubt.
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mhuml32
Gesture of Northern Aggression
Ignoring the Anderson/Sutter conversation, the Ford recruitment and subsequent transfer is the exact reason why prep recruiting is so important. Luke Ford became available because he was expendable. He had potential, but Georgia already had Charlie Woerner, Darnell Washington, and Tre McKitty on the roster. They identified the future NFL tight ends (or at least the guys with the highest likelihood), so losing Luke Ford was unfortunate but acceptable. If Ford impressed enough as a freshman that the Georgia staff believed his future was brighter than those other guys, they would have done what was necessary to keep him.
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Krombopulos_Michael
- Aurora, Illinois (that’s a suburb of Chicago)
This isn’t accurate …
Here’s what I can say …
After they left campus … Confidence was high …
Currently … Confidence is not …
This is big boy recruiting … There is life changing money involved with these recruitments nowadays …
Not a secret I’ve got some relationships with both of these recruitments … So I’m not going to be the guy ruining anyone’s announcement …
JC is making HIS choice … Sutter is making HIS choice … I wish both of the young men nothing but the best at wherever they choose to play ball …
After they left campus … Confidence was high …
Currently … Confidence is not …
This is big boy recruiting … There is life changing money involved with these recruitments nowadays …
Not a secret I’ve got some relationships with both of these recruitments … So I’m not going to be the guy ruining anyone’s announcement …
JC is making HIS choice … Sutter is making HIS choice … I wish both of the young men nothing but the best at wherever they choose to play ball …
SampsonRelpenk
- Edwardsville, IL
Sounds like we did all we could do. Just have to keep making it more difficult to not stay home. And Vala is one of hell of a consolation prize.
Personally … I think things could have been a little better with both of these recruitments at times from a recruiting standpoint …
Both of these guys had better relationships with TE coaches at other schools …
Ehhhh … I think there was some things that could’ve been better … See my post above …
Financially … We did all we could do … Bret … Did all he could do …
I think Vala could be the best of the 3 … The talent gap isn’t as large as people think …
If he was 6’6 … He’d be ranked right where these guys are …
madillini4
Ozamataz Buckshank
- Millywaukee
Never gonna blame a kid for making a decision he thinks is best for his future, especially when it involves schools like Ole Miss and Alabama. We’re still in a phenomenal spot going forward. I-L-L.
Well, the way I read this is some tough news to come on both days.... Understandable, was fun following while it's lasted!
Assuming this plays out how most expect now, pretty amazing to visit a school like 15 times, have a local announcement party, and not choose the local school
Wish them both nothing but the best. @Indy Illini Fan, who would the staff pivot to for the remaining few scholarships?
hooraybeer
- Peoria, IL
Our chips with Eberhart. Hope we can land him 
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.Joel Goodson
- how was I to know, she was with the Russians too?
so, we got big footed financially and that's the primary decision driver. nuts!
I have mentioned before that Vala is an underrated pickup…he’s going to surprise people.
illinidarrin
- from parts unknown
Well, with the writing on the wall it seems, i will tell you that i never believed Anderson would be coming here from the beginning. The fact he kept visiting here but just wouldn't commit, just gave me a bad feeling about everything. I wanted to be positive and confident, but never felt that way with him. It almost felt like he was just waiting for something better to come along before committing.
Maybe I'm wrong and wasn't a major factor, but no secret sell wise TE is not corner for us... or wide receiver, or safety, or D-Line, etc. You don't quite have Devon Witherspoon to sell there. They made what they felt the best football decision for themselves. Not program-crushing like Groce years, but certainly a missed opportunity in-state to elevate your stature in recruiting.
Obviously never burn bridges in this era and hope for the best forthcoming.
Obviously never burn bridges in this era and hope for the best forthcoming.
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Now, here’s the hard part everybody: if we don’t get either of them…resist the urge to say “fire bielema” or something…we’re in a great spot. This staff has repeatedly done great things with less talent. They’ve developed people like nobody’s business. World’s not falling just because you don’t get two of the toys you wanted.
mhuml32
Gesture of Northern Aggression
If Anderson goes to Ole Miss, you can't convince me that relationships and interactions won him over to Oxford. You can tell me it's location, money, wanting to get away from home, or scheme and I would believe you. JC might have visited campus more than any uncommitted prospect ever.
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