Nunez is going into 8th grade and is undecided on hs. Both are hold backs. Also both of their dads are quarterback coaches
Illinois Football Recruiting Thread
Nunez is going into 8th grade and is undecided on hs. Both are hold backs. Also both of their dads are quarterback coaches
I would guess there is a good chance both only play 3 years of HS ball, reclassify up to where they should be age wise to get the large NIL $ earlier.
Holcomb already looks like a junior or senior in high school.
Unless a salary cap is put in place or Bret changes his spending philosophy the chance of them being Illini are slim.
Joel Goodson
- it's all ball bearings, nowadays
True C/O 2028 | LB/OLB/Edge Rusher | 6”1 220 lbs | 16yo | Lake Travis High School | 3.7 GPA
Austin, TX
I don’t think they will enroll early. Kids can start making NIL in hs. Trae Taylor is already making a ton of money. Him moving to Lincoln was a very smart business decision for him and I think you’ll see stuff like that happen.
217sports
- Springfield
The hold back BS is also crazy. There's 19 YOs playing HS football
DReq
Always Illini
- Central Illinois
The hold backs have been going on for many years. It seems especially for QB prospects (in their parents' eyes, at least)
It has gotten a lot worse. I know of a lot of kids that were held back this year. Way more than normal. Now that money is involved it’ll only get worse.
Purcell will turn 19 at the beginning of his senior season for Maine south.
Was a throwaway quote in Varsity Blues ('99) about being bigger for freshman tryouts
eighth grade aint so bad is it son?
Joel Goodson
- it's all ball bearings, nowadays
Man of God
| 3
️️️ |6’4DE, DT, OLB, TE | | 245LBs |Cardinal Newman HS| |
1x state champion| C/O 2028Loxahatchee, FL
Haitian-American. we have multiple ins there
What does everyone put the odds at Beatty or priestly ending up on the 2026 roster with the news that broke today?
Maybe if they get cut? As it is they both have 3-year deals. If they don't get cut I can't imagine they'd just be able to break the contract to come back. Deadline to cut down to 53-man roster is Aug. 30.
Melvin Priestly has a truly inspiring life story.
It's hard to make it in the NFL, but I wish him success.
I suppose blocking for Luke Altmyer again with the Detroit Lions could quite the experience for both of them.
I know nothing of the legalese on all of this.
However, I would be shocked if there isn’t a major 2 deep injury early in camp and someone ends up an Illini that we don’t expect.
His pops was a beast at Texas and I believe a 1st round pick (Beast in the NFL as well). Good offer there.
It sucks this happens a couple days before camp starts. I’m sure they’re actively looking to see what players are available
Can we not solve our Defensive Line concerns with all this craziness?
mhuml32
Gesture of Northern Aggression
(a) A smaller group of players that are available now and teams would want to add (i.e. Josh Kreutz)
(b) Then a much bigger group during NFL camp cuts that are going to make things very awkward for classes, roster decisions, etc. (Beatty and Priestly types)
So many lingering questions - what's going to happen with the transfer portal windows with this change? What about players that were slated to start or get meaningful playing time who will be blocked by the new adds? How does this affect the "cap"? Who has meaningful money left, even with donors? What about roster size limits?
(b) Then a much bigger group during NFL camp cuts that are going to make things very awkward for classes, roster decisions, etc. (Beatty and Priestly types)
So many lingering questions - what's going to happen with the transfer portal windows with this change? What about players that were slated to start or get meaningful playing time who will be blocked by the new adds? How does this affect the "cap"? Who has meaningful money left, even with donors? What about roster size limits?
If there is a truly a salary cap put In place in the next week, with actual teeth in it with federal punishment….
Do we think some of the class of 2026 offers these top in state kids have gotten from other schools come down, and the money offer from Illinois comes up now that the rev share cap is higher, and these kids may be willing to flip To the Illini?
Not en masse, but maybe 1-2?
Do we think some of the class of 2026 offers these top in state kids have gotten from other schools come down, and the money offer from Illinois comes up now that the rev share cap is higher, and these kids may be willing to flip To the Illini?
Not en masse, but maybe 1-2?
I just can’t see how this works out for players who have already moved on or for teams that have moved on
All great questions. Especially the last 2. I just hope players don't get hurt somehow (losing spots, money, etc..). I think a lot of players wil return, same school or other, but just for the opportunity to play, I doubt there will be much money available. Maybe I'm naive.
Joel Goodson
- it's all ball bearings, nowadays
It’s funny…Bielema confirmed in Chicago that they didn’t have any money to sign defensive linemen, directly contradicting outlets that reported that they had plenty of resources.
