QB Dwayne Lawson transferring to Illinois

FT35 · Dec 5, 2016

EJ33 said:
The excitement here seems a little overblown for a guy who was a backup last year in JC and only threw 41 passes.

We've had almost nothing concrete to be happy about since the MSU win. This is a commit that could have an immediate impact and will most likely see action next fall early and often. This is something worth getting excited about. A guy who really fits McGee's offense although it will take time for him to adjust. The tools are obviously all there.

MadSeason · Dec 5, 2016

FT35 said:
We've had almost nothing concrete to be happy about since the MSU win. This is a commit that could have an immediate impact and will most likely see action next fall early and often. This is something worth getting excited about. A guy who really fits McGee's offense although it will take time for him to adjust. The tools are obviously all there.

I agree and there is very little downside. If he flames out, it's Illinois and was expected. However, Lawson succeeds? McGee's rep as QB whisperer goes off the charts. Lovie cements his rep as a safe place to send your kids and Illinois picks and chooses which 4 or 5 star players they want so long as Lovie stays.

Definitely exciting opportunity.

Ilovetheillini · Dec 5, 2016

It's over the Lovie train has officially started

Ilovetheillini · Dec 5, 2016

McGee is about to kill it with Dwyane Lawson

BillMo · Dec 5, 2016

Everyone can say im stupid, But George is going to be the only QB here from now till summer able to practice so do not count the kid out with all the time he is going to get in the spring to improve. That said I think this kid is a big get for us, biggest helps is it will let us redshirt any incoming QB for the next 2 years, and gives us 3 deep again. :ets get him here get everyone healthy and let the best man win the spot

CAHALL15 · Dec 5, 2016

Illini DunkerChief 89 said:
I agree. I think Chase showed he deserves to play. He's got to work on passing, but he is a threat running. I like the possibility of using both.

There are very few times where a two QB system produced good results. Chris Leak/Tim Tebow won a title and Cardale Jones/JT Barrett did well when while still handing the ball off to Ezekiel Elliot. Just about every other two QB system was there because neither quarterback could separate themselves and one was a better a runner. I hope one of Crouch or Lawson separates themselves from the other and is the clear starter.

blmillini · Dec 6, 2016

StateFarmCenter said:
Just hope our staff did their homework. Seems he has both grade problems and other away from football things to workout before he even gets a chance to learn that plsybook.

The upside is too big not to take a chance.

ThreatLevelMidnight · Dec 6, 2016

StateFarmCenter said:
Just hope our staff did their homework. Seems he has both grade problems and other away from football things to workout before he even gets a chance to learn that plsybook.

I would read Werner's article on Lawson. He does an excellent job connecting the dots. Apparently McGee and Fuentes played together at OU and McGee is also friends with the Garden City coach, so the staff was able to do a lot of background work on Lawson.

Lawson was hand picked by McGee and has been targeted since August. Can't wait to get him on campus!

NScale · Dec 6, 2016

Wait a minute, I'm still counting on that QB from Notre Dame to come here.

BillMo · Dec 6, 2016

ThreatLevelMidnight said:
I would read Werner's article on Lawson. He does an excellent job connecting the dots. Apparently McGee and Fuentes played together at OU and McGee is also friends with the Garden City coach, so the staff was able to do a lot of background work on Lawson.

Lawson was hand picked by McGee and has been targeted since August. Can't wait to get him on campus!

well I think any QB we recruit will be hand picked by McGee but still glad to have him

ChiefIlliniwek2 · Dec 6, 2016

If nothing else, I love the energy & fire he seems to have. Will be a nice change for us.

mhuml32 · Dec 6, 2016

My expectations are going to be sophomore year Juice Williams:

55-58% completion percentage
10-15 passing TD's
10-15 interceptions
500-650 rushing yards

Joel Goodson · Dec 6, 2016

He's a wild card, to be sure, but his physical attributes are off the chart. A shame he won't be here 'til June, but oh well. Crash course coming with Prof. McGee.

FiveStar · Dec 6, 2016

Say we get lucky and he puts it all together next year. Is he the best QB in the B1G west? No this is not my expectation and yes I understand the extreme hypothetical nature of this question.

BZuppke · Dec 6, 2016

StateFarmCenter said:
Just hope our staff did their homework. Seems he has both grade problems and other away from football things to workout before he even gets a chance to learn that plsybook.

I would guess they did.

WiscIllini · Dec 6, 2016

BillMo said:
well I think any QB we recruit will be hand picked by McGee but still glad to have him

I think you're missing the implication of that statement. As the person you quoted said, that article states McGee's wanted him since the start of the season. You seem like you're down-playing the importance of that. I'm pretty comfortable knowing that Garrick is dead sure that's the guy he wants.

Hokie10 · Dec 6, 2016

FiveStar said:
Say we get lucky and he puts it all together next year. Is he the best QB in the B1G west? No this is not my expectation and yes I understand the extreme hypothetical nature of this question.

IF he does that, then absolutely. No doubt about it.

Joel Goodson · Dec 6, 2016

WiscIllini said:
I think you're missing the implication of that statement. As the person you quoted said, that article states McGee's wanted him since the start of the season. You seem like you're down-playing the importance of that. I'm pretty comfortable knowing that Garrick is dead sure that's the guy he wants.

+1

McGee scoured the pool of available QBs. He chose Lawson. Calculated risk, yes. Shotgun marriage, no.

Hopefully, Lawson has stepped up his maturity a level or three. As he surely realizes that this is his big opportunity, think he'll put in the time to learn McGee's playbook and be a sponge.

Second and Chalmers · Dec 6, 2016

I wonder if we would still take Rey Estes.

Any of Estes, Thomas, or Lawson could potentially switch positions if it comes to that.

Jacob · Dec 6, 2016

Second and Chalmers said:
I wonder if we would still take Rey Estes.

Any of Estes, Thomas, or Lawson could potentially switch positions if it comes to that.

Estes could play CB. Lawson and Thomas are QB only

StateFarmCenter · Dec 6, 2016

Second and Chalmers said:
I wonder if we would still take Rey Estes.

Any of Estes, Thomas, or Lawson could potentially switch positions if it comes to that.

Have to think this Lawson deal has been in the works for awhile now. So if we wanted Estes then, we probably want him now. Also doesn't change the real reason we want him either.

cjcastan · Dec 6, 2016

StateFarmCenter said:
Have to think this Lawson deal has been in the works for awhile now. So if we wanted Estes then, we probably want him now. Also doesn't change the real reason we want him either.

Not too sound dense but what reason it's that?

IMO with the talent levels we have, especially when it comes to athleticism. If a talented athletic kid wants to come here we take him with open arms.

TownieMatt · Dec 6, 2016

What pleasant news to wake up to this morning!

Second and Chalmers said:
I wonder if we would still take Rey Estes.

Any of Estes, Thomas, or Lawson could potentially switch positions if it comes to that.

I don't think this changes anything for Thomas, who was a prime redshirt candidate (and a bit of a project) anyway. I won't claim to know anything about Estes, but Lawson is certainly not changing positions. He's coming here because the staff has told him he stands an extremely good chance of being the starter on day one.

FT35 · Dec 6, 2016

cjcastan said:
Not too sound dense but what reason it's that?

IMO with the talent levels we have, especially when it comes to athleticism. If a talented athletic kid wants to come here we take him with open arms.

I'm sure Estes wants to play QB and I'm sure we would take him as a QB. The bottom line is that we were one injury away from playing Cam Miller for a large chunk of this season. We also had to move Trenard Davis to the QB position and were using Ke'shawn Vaughn to run the wildcat.

Guys like Estes add depth, which we desperately still need at the QB position. Injuries, poor play, attrition, etc. do happen and we saw that play out this year.

ChiefIllini · Dec 6, 2016

I feel like, at worst, it just make sthe QB position that much more competitive. Someone mentioned George is the only QB that will be practicing till at least summer. That gives him a leg up, no matter what. It should force Chase and now Lawson to work that much harder. Even if he only play a couple games as an Illini, it's still a positive.

Optimistic: Best QB here since Juice. Can't really expect more out of him, just due to the talent around him.

Pessimistic: He's only a backup, plays a few games, disappoints on the field. Still, he adds competition and makes our other QB's better.

QB Dwayne Lawson transferring to Illinois

CU Expat