Joel Goodson
- how was I to know, she was with the Russians too?
it's like deja vu, all over again
Illinois Football Recruiting Thread
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it's like deja vu, all over again
There have countless big plays / runs where Malachi Hood was totally out of position and the ball carrier rambles right through his responsibility zone for a huge gain. I like the kid, but if he is the best we got at that position, we are (and will be) in a bad spot.
Seems like there is a lot of this on the defensive side. Along with terrible tackling fundamentals and just knowing where we are supposed to line up snap to snap.
Curbelo Fanboy
BERTBALL IS LIFE
I'd agree with you. Other than the occasional freaks size wise, the freshman that do play seem to be skill players like wide receivers and corners. Occasionally a QB that is exceptional or playing for a program that is lacking at that position. You really don't want to do it on the interior positions as you'd rather have a 23 year old 5th year lineman that weighs 50 pounds more than he did during his freshman year.
PizzaHutParkingLot
- Vodice, Croatia
Which 10 is Bret talking about
DrunkWastedHammeredIllini
- Where everybody wants to rule the world
#Notaninsider, but I think it's safe to say that Rankin, Eberhart, Hankins, Cam Thomas, and Kai Pritchard would be on that list. I also think you could make arguments for Crim amd Gramt due to size and physicality. Vala could make an early impact if Arkin moves on and Farrell isn't ready. Jack Gray could make an impact. But I could be off base.Which 10 is Bret talking about
I count 6 or 7 if we are talking early impact guys (sees the field as a starter or significant player within 2 years). I'd add Kaedyn Cobbs to the list. He will start special teams next year. Guy has "it" from what I've seen of him. Cam Thomas I know they are high on and having played beside Grant Beerman that could be a good indication of what they have there...
Maybe King Liggins sees the field on defense next year? He's got a body that is more ready for the B1G than a lot of incoming freshmen that play close to the ball.
yup
super rare for an OL or DL or LB to start as a true frosh.
the size and strength is just not there yet
It's pretty tough for a CB to play as a true frosh - lots of technique to learn and that typically isn't learned in HS. Safety and LB (including edge) would seem more likely. Given the performance this year, these are also the positions of greatest need
Arkin is a senior he has to move on
Curbelo Fanboy
BERTBALL IS LIFE
I was just going more on the "body type" & size needed to compete at the position. The skill positions can be manned by a super athletic undersized guy at times. Especially the offensive side of the ball. I'd think athletic db's could get on the field at least in nickel or dime packages & special teams as a freshman if need be. But it's not ideal as you stated.
Ideally, no freshman are playing as that indicates the roster is solid across the board. We don't have that luxury presently.
Even Bailey has taken some bad angles that led to big plays.
Rosiek got stuck on blocks too.
Instincts are missing, not physicality.
TentakilRex
- Land O Insects between Quincy-Macomb-Jacksonville
With Cobbs I will quote the late Bobby Heenan
"Which sides is he on?"
I should know better it will be defense and special teams.... but he is not a scrub on offense lol. Plus it is a good excuse to use a Heenan quote.
No way Liggins is seeing the field he needs a redshirt year
I agree. Just trying to come up with the 10 I'd expect to play within the next 2 years. I hope we knock it out in the portal and bring in the right dudes on the both lines...Hope we don't have a freshmen getting on the field up front...
Nothing I've seen of Kaedyn as a RB wows me. He does play some darn good competition in Texas so maybe that's part of it. I'd have to assume he plays defense.
I know on social media he's been against the idea that he isn't a RB....
In reality....most D1 prospects could play just about wherever they want in HS. So idk how much credence should be given to his wish to play RB
I thought the Freshmen Edge rushers @ Maryland - who gave our 23 year old upperclass linemen trouble were playing pretty well... as well as the Freshmen linebackers @ Wisconsin who bullied our 23 year olds all day...
That says more about our Line than anything.
Closer to the ball...longer it takes to play. Don't take it from me... J Leman says it constantly on Illini Inquirer.
On the line...an 18 year old vs 22 year old with 3 or 4 years in a college S&C program? Stark difference. They might have some explosive characteristics that play but you SHOULD be able to run right at them and physically dominate. We obviously couldn't or (didn't) try to exploit that matchup.
There are freaks that disprove any rule of course...
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Just watching replay of Wisconsin loss. Our running back room is horrible. Offensive line weak. Defense, We all know. We pay approximately 12 million per year for our coaches to get the job done. Thats the biggest investment in Illini history. I sure hope this gets un Fckd fast. Bielema is highest paid public employee in state. We looked no better Saturday than Ucla v. Washington. That's horrible folks.
and the kids go wild
blackdog
- Champaign
Thats more a coaching problem, eye discipline and reading keys have been a weakness of this defense all year.
I suppose that's true... But wasn't Lovie the highest paid employee in the state when we went 3-9 in 2016 and 2-10 in 2017? and wasn't Zook the highest paid employee in 2005 & 2006 when we went 2-9, 2-10 back to back? Hell, I won't even count Turner who went 0-11, and 3-8 or Beckman who went 2-10, then 4-8... If you want to talk 'horrible' I can cite decades, repeat DECADES of being 'horrible'...
Our players have taken a ton of terrible angles this year, part of it is the lack of overall speed, but an even larger problem in my opinion was that our players had no clue where their positioning was supposed to be in this defense and that comes down to coaching and scheme. I just don't think our players were prepared to play the defense that was being called. Our LBs game to game had no clue what zone to cover or where to drop back to. Our CBs were playing 10yds off the line of scrimmage allowing opposing WRs a 5yd running start to wherever they wanted, and our safeties struggled to understand what anyone else was doing from a responsibilities perspective. I don't think our defense is as terrible as it is this year with a competent scheme and good DC.
That said, we need an infusion of speed and talent into our defense, but I honestly believe Henry gave our guys very little opportunity to be successful this year
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