Illinois Football Recruiting Thread

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#326      
From the cheap seats
I'm a worrier by nature, and having been an Illini fan for many years has only exacerbated that trait. I'm really excited about the potential of several members of this class...and expected a few of them would be flipped away by bigger brands because of the level of recruits Bielema and staff had amassed. I was especially relieved to see Hankins and Rankin sign, along with several others. Great job by the staff and the support that Whitman provides behind the scenes.
 
#327      
kyillinifan
Great class. I wonder if any of the O line in this class could become a D lineman. We need a big run stuffer.
 
#330      
mhuml32
suburbanILLINI said:
247sports.com

COMMIT: Three-star Florida RB Javari Barnett flips back to Illini from Alabama on Signing Day

Thad Ward secures a second straight big Signing Day flip for a long-time target
247sports.com 247sports.com
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Ha Ha Ha Lol GIF
 
#331      
mhuml32
[Caveat that this is class rankings, so you need to consider the number of commits, rating issues, etc.]


Illinois will pass South Carolina to move up to the 21st best recruiting class if Micah Smith joins the class.
 
#335      
Birdus
Are we going after someone else beside Smith at the q.b? Anyone hear anything? Just curious.
 
#337      
The Dying Illini
SixthandWhite said:
Now that Barnett has signed with a power football program, maybe he'll get a bump 😉
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If we have learned anything from recent "big recruits" flipping/committing to Illinois hell probably get moved down lol.

Regardless Barnett is the real freaking deal. If his knee is fully healthy by the time the season starts in '26 no doubt in my mind hell compete for carries.

He's a more natural runner/RB than every back we have on the roster outside of maybe Valentine. Plus he looks every bit of that 205 weight listing which as we also know can sometimes be embellished a bit.

**Build** reminds me a lot of Jonathan Taylor but Barnett runs like a guy who has run track all his life, not much tilt when in the open field.

His hudl film shows him sprinting like a track guy once he breaks through the second level.
 
#339      
illini55
TX Illiniwek said:
Actually, I hope Valentine has a huge 2026, gets drafted in one of the first three rounds, and Barnett becomes RB#1 in 2027...or platoons with Wheeler.

Can't believe we are seeing all of this. Winning will bring them in!!! BB is setting us up for continued success! Illinois Football = Continued Success! Who would have ever believed it?
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Sadly, running backs are not drafted that high anymore. They are viewed as fungible by the NFL. It's the rare RB that makes big money anymore---offensive linemen are the big ticket, after QB's.
 
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