Don’t we realistically need 2 more DL starters and an edge?
Illinois Football Recruiting Thread
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ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
Any names we ought to be paying attention to among the returnees? Like are we about to see way more of Isaiah Wright or Pat Farrell?
ILFaninFL
- Nature Coast in Florida
Do we have any in the system that might step up?
I know we're all concerned about DL, but isn't EDGE close to just as much of a need?
Our lone D-Lineman that played last season is Pat Farrell.
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
Does it drive anyone else crazy that we now treat defensive end as an entirely different position group than the rest of the defensive line while no longer making the distinction between CB's and Safeties?
Definitely is. And i don't think we have the recruiting to really back up that spot like we did at the DL. We have landed pretty good DL recruits. Brookes and White being 2. I don't think we have landed the same level of OLB recruits.
This reminds me of the basketball off-season - we missed on so many of our top targets - Dix, then Storr, then Ian Jackson, then Sarr, Jaylin Sellers, even an Ace Wolf didn't work out. There was a lot of hang wringing of not landing our targets and us getting outbid and not having enough money to field a competitive roster.
Brad found a way and got some luck with how good Wagler has been, but we have one of our best teams ever right now. I'm not saying the same level will happen with football, but I think Bret and staff will find some folks they think can play and we have the potential to be really good. I have zero doubt the defense will be better. Just having X back, Bailey healthy and Juice with another year of development is huge and I think Beerman with a year of development under his belt will be a boost in talent at LB alone. There will be 2-3 guys in the 2026 class that will play right away and likely a couple of guys from the 2025 class that redshirted that we haven't seen play much, will be part of the DL rotation (Cam Brooks, Isaiah White come to mind).
The angst is warranted- because that's what message boards are for! But there should be some optimism that we aren't as far away as many are portraying. We all would love to see a starting caliber Edge rusher and some DL depth to feel much better about things, but the staff knows what they need and they aren't going to go into the season undermanned
Brad found a way and got some luck with how good Wagler has been, but we have one of our best teams ever right now. I'm not saying the same level will happen with football, but I think Bret and staff will find some folks they think can play and we have the potential to be really good. I have zero doubt the defense will be better. Just having X back, Bailey healthy and Juice with another year of development is huge and I think Beerman with a year of development under his belt will be a boost in talent at LB alone. There will be 2-3 guys in the 2026 class that will play right away and likely a couple of guys from the 2025 class that redshirted that we haven't seen play much, will be part of the DL rotation (Cam Brooks, Isaiah White come to mind).
The angst is warranted- because that's what message boards are for! But there should be some optimism that we aren't as far away as many are portraying. We all would love to see a starting caliber Edge rusher and some DL depth to feel much better about things, but the staff knows what they need and they aren't going to go into the season undermanned
good to know. a few of the guys supposed to be back might have been ok to go as well.
You’ll see a lot of Pat. Whose numbers are actually better than Gabe’s were his first 2 years
Please! We play them week 2.
And the staff knows far more about their capability than just the stats we see.
I saw that. I just threw the names out there but even if you get the Parkers (Visiting) and you get Gray and Hastrop (Both serious contenders out of HS), it holds the same.
Hastrop has top of the draft type measurables at EDGE. With this staff the sky is the limit. Gray has similar potential on the line (1st/early round) and is from STL. That makes them a contender as well when you add them with who they have.
Kinda surprised nobody has suggested putting Feagin on a weight program to bulk him up and have him play DL. This board used to be more creative.
Some of my top '27's IMO they have to get (Top QB Lompati already committed)
Johnson-Cook
Brown
Wagner
Fifer
Parks
J.Johnson
MC guys
JC, Brown and Parks are sort of a litmus test for me personally. Could be why they are holding $.
Impossible. We have a few on here who are elite talent evaluators.
#BigCignettiIndiana
You can put him there a la Coe from Edwardsville who Illini were in it for. He was a top HS RB who wound up on the DLine (Think he at least made some NFL camps). You can put him at LB and he'd be a terror there IMO. That was a big part him being a highly rated prep prospect.
I wouldn't be opposed to any of it but I'm also in the camp he can really break out at RB as an All B1G back.
Really wore defenses out the past two years but finished the season for the first time this year. An even better line this year should put the RB's in a position to be at or near the top of the B1G in rushing this year. All three RBs for the Illini are good to really good and can make a jump this year.
robertgoulet
IL Board Resident Crooner
- Austin, TX
Think there is a very good sell to any high potential DL/DE that have dreams of playing in the NFL. Come in and be an immediate impact player on a high ceiling team vs going somewhere else and fighting for reps. With the defensive backfield as it is you could be the guy(s) who turns the defense from solid/good to one that makes UI a dark horse title contender.
Farrell has developed very well and I'm in the camp he'll make another jump. Liked him a lot as a HS recruit and he's ready. White is going to be really good at NG. Like Brooks and they got a really good influx with this '26 class as well. That's a big part of me thinking if you only add Parker bros, Gray and Hastrop they're B1G contenders.
Miami Fl
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