Illinois Football Recruiting Thread

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#626      
Illini2018
No clue if we have interest as Cincy and Neb were mentioned but I am loosening to Aidan Chiles. Obvi really talented. MSU was a mess and has one last year before he hands over the reigns to Boyd (potentially)
 
#628      
mhuml32
I wouldn't want to lose Olano and it would sting for him to leave.

I respect the desire to switch "jobs" and increase your pay rate, especially knowing that NFL kickers are valued a lot less than every other position.
 
#629      
LFOD
lstewart53x3 said:
Seeing a player on the team you root for as a real person with their own challenges, their own hopes and dreams, their own families, and wanting what’s best for them, even if it might not be what’s best for you as a fan… is battered wife syndrome?
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Bad take on the poster’s username, I admit.

But feeling fine losing a kicker vs another position is odd, in my opinion.
 
#630      
BrownTown
Where do sit in national rankings as a QB destination?

I think we could legitimately make an argument for top 15/20 based on recent success of QBs/team. Though, there is a stigma from the past that we aren't completely over so unbiased I'd likely put Illinois at 30-35 range nationally.

Pros
HC/OC stability
Last 2 QBs in the League
Good system for offense
Previous success of QBs but you aren't being unfairly compared to Heisman winners etc.

Cons
Averaging bottom 5 of B1G in sacks over the last 5 years.
Weather
Old biases of Illinois football

Neutral
NIL (Comparing to other P4, I'd guestimate Illini as top of middle tier) hard to judge
 
#637      
HensonHall71
Illini2018 said:
No clue if we have interest as Cincy and Neb were mentioned but I am loosening to Aidan Chiles. Obvi really talented. MSU was a mess and has one last year before he hands over the reigns to Boyd (potentially)
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I think Chiles would be a great get. He knows the big ten, played very well in some games this year -USC and BC in particular and played much better than we did at IU. As you said, MSU was such a mess it’s hard to evaluate his season. But a proven QB with arm talent and running ability would be a good fit here for sure
 
#638      
TX Illiniwek
BrownTown said:
Where do sit in national rankings as a QB destination?

I think we could legitimately make an argument for top 15/20 based on recent success of QBs/team. Though, there is a stigma from the past that we aren't completely over so unbiased I'd likely put Illinois at 30-35 range nationally.

Pros
HC/OC stability
Last 2 QBs in the League
Good system for offense
Previous success of QBs but you aren't being unfairly compared to Heisman winners etc.

Cons
Averaging bottom 5 of B1G in sacks over the last 5 years.
Weather
Old biases of Illinois football

Neutral
NIL (Comparing to other P4, I'd guestimate Illini as top of middle tier) hard to judge
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Don't mean to knit-pick as I agree with much of your analysis here, but the "Last 2 QBs in the League"??? TDV is #3 for New England but that's all we have in the NFL. Peters signed with the Chargers after the draft but was waived and has officially retired. Or are you counting Luke? I think your points of 'old biases' around our history is a big factor. Winning will bring the big ones in, whether that's high school recruits or transfers. I think this bowl game is huge in terms of perception of where the program is at. If we can post a 9-win season with a bowl win over an SEC team after last year's success, it will show some consistency and sustained success. ..three out of four years with 8+ wins under BB. The HC/OC stability is huge, as well.
 
#639      
logjam
TX Illiniwek said:
Don't mean to knit-pick as I agree with much of your analysis here, but the "Last 2 QBs in the League"??? TDV is #3 for New England but that's all we have in the NFL. Peters signed with the Chargers after the draft but was waived and has officially retired. Or are you counting Luke? I think your points of 'old biases' around our history is a big factor. Winning will bring the big ones in, whether that's high school recruits or transfers. I think this bowl game is huge in terms of perception of where the program is at. If we can post a 9-win season with a bowl win over an SEC team after last year's success, it will show some consistency and sustained success. ..three out of four years with 8+ wins under BB. The HC/OC stability is huge, as well.
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I see you Isaiah Williams...
 
#641      
BrownTown
TX Illiniwek said:
Don't mean to knit-pick as I agree with much of your analysis here, but the "Last 2 QBs in the League"??? TDV is #3 for New England but that's all we have in the NFL. Peters signed with the Chargers after the draft but was waived and has officially retired. Or are you counting Luke? I think your points of 'old biases' around our history is a big factor. Winning will bring the big ones in, whether that's high school recruits or transfers. I think this bowl game is huge in terms of perception of where the program is at. If we can post a 9-win season with a bowl win over an SEC team after last year's success, it will show some consistency and sustained success. ..three out of four years with 8+ wins under BB. The HC/OC stability is huge, as well.
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Luke and Tommy. I'd be incredibly surprised if Luke can't find his way into a backup role. Whether he stays for 10 years or ever becomes a starter ..I doubt but he'll make some money as a formidable backup IMO.

Tommy started games in the NFL. #2/#3 doesn't matter soo much to me as being able to point to a guy that inevitably will have had quite a bit less natural talent than the dude we are recruiting..
 
#644      
Joel Goodson
TX Illiniwek said:
Don't mean to knit-pick as I agree with much of your analysis here, but the "Last 2 QBs in the League"??? TDV is #3 for New England but that's all we have in the NFL. Peters signed with the Chargers after the draft but was waived and has officially retired. Or are you counting Luke? I think your points of 'old biases' around our history is a big factor. Winning will bring the big ones in, whether that's high school recruits or transfers. I think this bowl game is huge in terms of perception of where the program is at. If we can post a 9-win season with a bowl win over an SEC team after last year's success, it will show some consistency and sustained success. ..three out of four years with 8+ wins under BB. The HC/OC stability is huge, as well.
Click to expand...

we're already seeing the fruits of our success. Boyd and Clayton were good gets, but Lompati is at another level
 
#646      
mhuml32
To provide a data-point on the QB transfer portal: https://www.reddit.com/r/WisconsinB...n/wisconsin_has_an_offer_out_to_old_dominion/


Here's what ~$2 million will buy you right now (G5 stats)
Screenshot 2025-12-29 at 2.26.21 PM.png
 
#647      
mhuml32
My QB Wish List (removing the tippy-top of the market and removing guys being openly discussed as going to XYZ school)


Would Take + No Questions Asked
Trinidad Chambliss (1 year of eligibility if waiver approved, LSU seems to want Simmons, Chambliss would be awesome in Lunney's system)
DJ Lagway (I'm a big believer in the Illinois staff + huge ceiling for Lagway)
Beau Pribula (Penn State hated to lose him, he did really well at Missouri before the injury, Mizzou's offense struggled without him)

Higher Ceiling, Lower Floor
Lincoln Kienholz (well regarded as a prep, perfect fit for Lunney's preference of pass first but good runner, 36 career passing attempts)
Aaron Philo (shined as a backup under Buster's offense but limited experience. Might not be quite interesting enough for the Florida schools)
Kenny Minchey (well regarded as a prep, great fit for Lunney, less than 30 career passing attempts, supposedly almost won the ND job in fall)

Higher Floor, Lower Ceiling
Alonza Barnett (much more experienced than previous group but G5 QB with a sub-60% completion percentage. Good running threat)

Mixed Bag
Ethan Grunkemeyer (well regarded as a prep, did decently well down the stretch at Penn State)
Katin Houser (struggled early at MSU and did well at ECU. Not a running threat)
Jaden Craig (seeing reports that he's loved by the pros but I just don't see it. Not a running threat. Stats have been solid but haven't improved over time)

Disappointing
Aiden Chiles (got lots of snaps at Michigan State and didn't perform well, has regressed)
Billy Edwards (did well at Maryland, injured at Wisconsin. Would be a low ceiling add)
Anthony Colandrea (you don't want to face him, you also don't want him on your team)
Any backups on teams with struggling offenses (Noland, Davis, Martin, Owens, Daniels, Baker, etc.)
 
#649      
IlliniWu
Joel Goodson said:
we're already seeing the fruits of our success. Boyd and Clayton were good gets, but Lompati is at another level
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Like all three a lot as prospects. I like Boyd the most despite the height. Chance to be an absolutely electric QB with top tier accuracy.
 
#650      
the juiceman cometh
illinidarrin said:
He did have a 1,000 yards rushing this year as well. he is a border line top 10 QB in the portal. It's going to cost a lot for Illinois no matter what.
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And AJ Bush rushed for over 700 yards for us in his one season.

Look, I'm not saying Joseph is AJ Bush. He has the potential to be a good QB for wherever he ends up. But against Indiana he rushed for 179 yards and 2 TDs but had a terrible overall performance when you factor in his passing. My point is that I'd love to have a QB who does everything well, but if push comes to shove I'll take a QB that passes well but can't run, vs a QB that runs well but can't pass. Joseph is a below 60% passer despite primarily playing against Sun Belt defenses. His interception rate is in the Luke 2023 category, which was bad (Luke improved greatly the past 2 seasons where his interception rate went to less than half what Joseph's was this past season). He had some good games but also had some clunkers. Against the two best teams they faced, Indiana and James Madison, he combined for 5 interceptions. Seems like a higher risk play than some of the other options, and if he's going to command top-10 money in the portal I'd be wary.
 
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