QB Dwayne Lawson transferring to Illinois

#101      

IlliniInOK

IlliniInOK
no longer in OK! Centralia, IL
IlliniInOK
I think SFC is implying that getting Estes would help us a lot with Jeff Thomas, and it's quite possible, but I don't think that's the only reason for interest. The kid is a good athlete and we need as many of those as we can get. Bring them on board and figure out where they fit later.
 
#102      

StateFarmCenter

StateFarmCenter
StateFarmCenter
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.
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Don't mean to infer Estes isn't a capable player in his own right, he is, but it helps his interest a lot that he's boys with Jeff Thomas.
 
#103      

FT35

FT35
Naperville
FT35
BillMo said:
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
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This makes the Spring game interesting to me. We will maybe have 50 scholarship players and JGJ, Cam Miller, and Trenard Davis (if he doesn't leave) battling it out for QB :thumb:
 
#104      

IlliniInOK

IlliniInOK
no longer in OK! Centralia, IL
IlliniInOK
ChiefIllini said:
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.
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While that could be true with his physical tools, I don't think we should discount Scheelhaase in this conversation. http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/nathan-scheelhaase-1.html

I know they played in different offenses, but Nate's passing numbers are definitely comparable to Juice's, with a much higher completion %, but Juice definitely outpaces Nate with the legs.

Either way, I think Lawson brings the kind of athleticism that McGee hopes for. Let's hope he can also refine his passing, because we've already got Crouch if all he gives you is being an RB at QB.
 
#106      

champaignchris

C
champaignchris
IlliniInOK said:
I know they played in different offenses, but Nate's passing numbers are definitely comparable to Juice's, with a much higher completion %, but Juice definitely outpaces Nate with the legs.
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Nate rushed for 1492 yards and 11 TDs in his first two years. Juice rushed for 1331 yards and 9 TDs in his first two years. About the same average per rush. Yes, Nate played more as a freshman.

Nate's rushing numbers really fell off when Beckman got here. But that was due to system and not Nate's running ability. Where Juice was really superior to Nate was arm strength.
 
#107      

Joel Goodson

Joel Goodson
respect my decision™
Joel Goodson
VAIllini35 said:
Chaise Couch - we're putting some heavy furniture on the field next year.
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lol

Funny stuff.

On a related note, isn't it refreshing to be relevant? Finally. Hope springs eternal. It happened for the Cubs, it can happen for us.
 
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#108      

Second and Chalmers

S
Second and Chalmers
Lawson and Thomas are both great athletes with enormous ceilings, but both are very raw.

That seems like a theme with Lovie at a number of different positions. Tools, tools, tools.
 
#109      

illini6212

I
illini6212
champaignchris said:
Nate rushed for 1492 yards and 11 TDs in his first two years. Juice rushed for 1331 yards and 9 TDs in his first two years. About the same average per rush. Yes, Nate played more as a freshman.

Nate's rushing numbers really fell off when Beckman got here. But that was due to system and not Nate's running ability. Where Juice was really superior to Nate was arm strength.
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As much as I absolutely love Scheelhaase as a person, player, leader, and potentially as a coach....he doesn't touch Juice Williams from an ability level. Arm strength alone makes Williams superior.

The offense he ran at Va Tech was extremely complicated, it was all NFL principles out of spread type formations.

Lawson is freakish in his ability level, McGee has done his research and has either decided that he can handle his offense or he is going to simplify things to make sure that Lawson is set up for success. I believe McGee will do the right things with this kid; what I'm most concerned with is keeping this kid from doing things off the field that jeopardize what he could do on the field.
 
#110      

MadSeason

MadSeason
MadSeason
champaignchris said:
Nate rushed for 1492 yards and 11 TDs in his first two years. Juice rushed for 1331 yards and 9 TDs in his first two years. About the same average per rush. Yes, Nate played more as a freshman.

Nate's rushing numbers really fell off when Beckman got here. But that was due to system and not Nate's running ability. Where Juice was really superior to Nate was arm strength.
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If Lawson = Juice and or Scheelhaase this will be a positive recruit for the program.

McGee has a proven eye and ability to develop QB's. I think this relationship could be a home run for the program, Lawson and McGee
 
#111      

Joel Goodson

Joel Goodson
respect my decision™
Joel Goodson
illini6212 said:
Lawson is freakish in his ability level, McGee has done his research and has either decided that he can handle his offense or he is going to simplify things to make sure that Lawson is set up for success. I believe McGee will do the right things with this kid; what I'm most concerned with is keeping this kid from doing things off the field that jeopardize what he could do on the field.
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McGee is definitely going to simplify his offense for Lawson in year 1. Has to. Doesn't mean Lawson won't be successful.

As to off the field, am sure Lawson recognizes what's at stake.
 
#112      

MadSeason

MadSeason
MadSeason
Second and Chalmers said:
Lawson and Thomas are both great athletes with enormous ceilings, but both are very raw.

That seems like a theme with Lovie at a number of different positions. Tools, tools, tools.
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It certainly does, following the Zook model. If development of those tools are better then big days are ahead
 
#114      

Rob07

R
San Francisco
Rob07
Jeremy Werner spoke to Lawson and there are some interesting tidbits (free article): http://www.scout.com/college/illinois/story/1735346-dwayne-lawson-i-have-a-lot-to-prove

It sounds like the transfer has been in the works for a year, but he had to go to juco to address academic issues. (If this is the case, though, why couldn't he get it sorted out quicker and be coming here for the summer? Sounds like he still has work to do in the classroom.)

It also sounds like the drug test issue was due to taking Adderall for ADHD. I'd normally be super skeptical, but honestly the story he gave Werner doesn't sound like the kind of thing a 20 year-old would make up.

Overall, I'm cautiously optimistic. He sounds like a good kid who just needs to get his **** together, like some other 20 year olds I know.
 
#115      

illini6212

I
illini6212
Rob07 said:
Jeremy Werner spoke to Lawson and there are some interesting tidbits (free article): http://www.scout.com/college/illinois/story/1735346-dwayne-lawson-i-have-a-lot-to-prove

It sounds like the transfer has been in the works for a year, but he had to go to juco to address academic issues. (If this is the case, though, why couldn't he get it sorted out quicker and be coming here for the summer? Sounds like he still has work to do in the classroom.)

It also sounds like the drug test issue was due to taking Adderall for ADHD. I'd normally be super skeptical, but honestly the story he gave Werner doesn't sound like the kind of thing a 20 year-old would make up.

Overall, I'm cautiously optimistic. He sounds like a good kid who just needs to get his **** together, like some other 20 year olds I know.
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Hearing a player talk that open about not wanting handouts, owning up to mistakes made in the past are exactly why McGee kept after this kid and ultimately landed him. In the interview, Lawson talked more about graduating, trust, owning up to mistakes, and not wanting handouts and not even once mentioned NFL or even championships....that shows really great character.

....now he can talk the talk, but can he walk the walk?
 
#116      

riffraff

riffraff
Peoria
riffraff
Even if Lawson disappoints us somehow, the media splash of picking up a highly recruited QB has got to help with recruiting. Similar to Lunt but more so because we have Lovie.
 
#117      

FatGreg

F
FatGreg
Depending on the severity of his ADHD, that could also account for some of his struggles in the classroom and assimilating the offense at VA Tech. Sounds like a kid who knows what's on the line. I'm excited to have him and I'll be rooting for him. I hope the staff has a plan in place to help him with his focus issues (i.e. extra tutoring, etc.). Welcome Dwayne!
 
#118      

ChiefIllini

C
ChiefIllini
IlliniInOK said:
While that could be true with his physical tools, I don't think we should discount Scheelhaase in this conversation. http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/nathan-scheelhaase-1.html

I know they played in different offenses, but Nate's passing numbers are definitely comparable to Juice's, with a much higher completion %, but Juice definitely outpaces Nate with the legs.

Either way, I think Lawson brings the kind of athleticism that McGee hopes for. Let's hope he can also refine his passing, because we've already got Crouch if all he gives you is being an RB at QB.
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Dont get me wrong, Scheelhaase was a good QB, but he wasn't the kind of guy that lifted a team up. He was a solid producer. Best Qb since Juice, bar none. He was not a game changer. Juice brought something different to the table. He was the poor mans Vick. He brought a team to life.

My optimistic expectations for lawson probably mean Scheelhaase will have better number than Lawson, but that doesn't mean he was a better QB. Theres a difference between being another piece to the puzzle and changing the game around. Juice was by no means a savior, but he was someone who make big plays.
 
#119      

GameOfThrows

G
GameOfThrows
This is a huge addition at a position of need, the most important position on the field. We needed a young transfer for depth and competition. In addition this helps a bit with convincing others to come here.

One caveat as has been discussed, multiple failed drug tests which led to his transfer from Va Tech.

At the very least we have an athletic freak competing for the QB position. And we'll have three guys for depth so Cam can redshirt to develop his body and mechanics and learn the offense. To me this is the biggest positive for the future of the program.
 
#120      

FiveStar

F
FiveStar
illini6212 said:
Lawson is freakish in his ability level, McGee has done his research and has either decided that he can handle his offense or he is going to simplify things to make sure that Lawson is set up for success. I believe McGee will do the right things with this kid; what I'm most concerned with is keeping this kid from doing things off the field that jeopardize what he could do on the field.
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When there is talent like his, you simplify and let the talent take over.
 
#121      

FT35

FT35
Naperville
FT35
StateFarmCenter said:
Don't mean to infer Estes isn't a capable player in his own right, he is, but it helps his interest a lot that he's boys with Jeff Thomas.
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Does it? Estes is committed to Missouri and they didn't even make Thomas's top five. It doesn't really seem to be playing that big of a factor in his recruitment. Terry Hawthorne is probably a bigger influence at this point.

I'd have to believe that Estes was offered based on his abilities, not because of Thomas.
 
#123      

drwillini

D
drwillini
ChiefIllini said:
Dont get me wrong, Scheelhaase was a good QB, but he wasn't the kind of guy that lifted a team up. He was a solid producer. Best Qb since Juice, bar none. He was not a game changer. Juice brought something different to the table. He was the poor mans Vick. He brought a team to life.

My optimistic expectations for lawson probably mean Scheelhaase will have better number than Lawson, but that doesn't mean he was a better QB. Theres a difference between being another piece to the puzzle and changing the game around. Juice was by no means a savior, but he was someone who make big plays.
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Nate outplayed RGIII head to head and it wasn't even close.