It's all good! We have another OC who just got a big merit raise!
Signing Day 2016
It's all good! We have another OC who just got a big merit raise!
PaytonHighstep
- Downers Grove, IL
Oh yeah, the new title for our QB coach... who actually won't be the OC. :doh:
Ransom Stoddard
Ordained Dudeist Priest
- Bloomington, IL
I got curious about how our class stacked up against the rest of the conference. I don't follow recruiting that much and don't have premium info (or even that many sources for rankings), but according to ESPN, the B1G goes in this order, with national ranking in parentheses.
OSU (5)
Michigan (6)
Penn State (18)
MSU (22)
Nebraska (26)
Wisconsin (41)
Maryland (43)
Iowa (49)
Northwestern (52)
Minnesota (55)
Indiana (58)
Purdue (61)
Rutgers (64)
Illinois (74)
Again, this is ESPN and I'm sure there are some variances between them and Scout and some of the others. While I'm happy to see all the new Illini, I'm discouraged (to say the least) about where we stand against the rest of the conference.
OSU (5)
Michigan (6)
Penn State (18)
MSU (22)
Nebraska (26)
Wisconsin (41)
Maryland (43)
Iowa (49)
Northwestern (52)
Minnesota (55)
Indiana (58)
Purdue (61)
Rutgers (64)
Illinois (74)
Again, this is ESPN and I'm sure there are some variances between them and Scout and some of the others. While I'm happy to see all the new Illini, I'm discouraged (to say the least) about where we stand against the rest of the conference.
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The staff did an admirable job under the circumstances, but this is definitely a weak class. Though it's not perfect, I like to use the 247 composite rankings for things like this to get a sort of consensus of the ranking sites. It does paint a better picture in terms of where we rank among the B1G, but our average player rating is 13th and we still rank similarly overall:
Code:
B1G OVR AVG
OSU 1 4 91.57
Mich 2 5 89.96
PSU 3 19 88.09
MSU 4 22 88.52
UNL 5 24 87.07
UW 6 32 85.03
Mary 7 42 84.19
Iowa 8 46 84.17
Minn 9 48 84.42
NU 10 51 84.45
IU 11 56 82.30
UI 12 71 80.86
Rut 13 74 82.27
PU 14 79 79.74In terms of overall ranking, there appear to be significant dropoffs between 2-3, 5-6, 6-7, and 11-12, so we are a lot closer to PU than we are to IU. Although, we appear to be only a little under a ½ star away from the middle of the pack of the B1G west by player rating.
Just in case your are not already acquainted with Robert's informed opinions on all things Illini football, here is a link to his analysis. My apologies if this is redundant. http://illiniboard.com/2016/02/03/the-misfits/
One thing for everybody including myself. We rate and project these kids and most of us look at the numbers as to how we did in recruiting . For me I enjoy it, huge but. But once we all long every other team sign these kids, you can throw all those ratings in the trash. The kids have to do it on the field period. So coaching, nutrition, s+c, the kids personal desire and pressure all become what forms the players we root for.
orangeswarm76
- hastings Nebraska
I second that cali
I know this class would have looked a lot better ranking wise if Spears, Parchman and Moran could have got in academically. Parchman and Spears replacements were not on the level of those two in Ayo Shogbonyo and Harvey Clayton but I like Tre Nation more for this team then I do Kentrail Moran. I think Tre Nation would develop into the goalline back better than anyone on the team now and Kentrail is a lesser version of Reggie Corbin
Decent read from ESPN on the Illini approach to this class.
Ransom Stoddard
Ordained Dudeist Priest
- Bloomington, IL
It is a good read, but it's still putting lipstick on a pig. We signed a bunch of kids who probably weren't getting much better offers. Some of them may be solid contributors for Illinois, but, based on what I've seen, they aren't impact players that are going to elevate this program a whole lot.
Having said that, I'm going to root like hell for them, but unless recruiting improves a lot in the next year or 2 this program is going to languish in the bottom third of the conference.
I really like the talent of the front 7 on defense alot besides Jones. I think there is some serious athletes for a change. If they can coach them up, I like the potential alot. I think Dele Harding will be a 4 year starter like Mason but more athletic in a defense that fits his skills better
Both things are true. The class doesn't move the needle in terms of success on the field, but it was an absolute miracle under the circumstances.
Of course, it's fairly obviously stated in the article that it's not a good class.
If they managed to recruit like this, under the circumstances, it makes one wonder just how well they could do without the contract issues.
Ransom Stoddard
Ordained Dudeist Priest
- Bloomington, IL
That's the part I don't get. We got what can be characterized (with no offense intended to the signees) as a very poor class. Without the contract issues, what could we expect? Mediocre? We're still not moving the needle as someone already said.
I get the enthusiasm that we still have a football program and there are still kids who want to suit up in the O&B. From where I sit, the next step down from what we got is no recruits at all.
I believe the class is a little better than that. It's not loaded with 4 and 5 stars to boost the paper rating but I really think we got some key pieces and a couple of steals. On paper it's still better than two other b1g teams.
I like this class more than 2014, 2012, 2011, and 2010. It is more athletic and has better balance. We really needed a big defensive tackle though and was sad we missed on Myles Adams.
I believe this class is a wait and see class. I never played football in high school and started 2 years of Division 3 football over kids who played since pee wee. I think it all comes down to heart and desire to succeed, and with great coaching. But I do know that the so called experts don't always get right, look at all the NFL draft busts. I would be curious to know how many players in the NFL currently were ranked 3 star or less going into college?
I think they got some good pieces in this class. Getting the numbers and closing strong were surprising. There are some nice players that will help. Others, red shirt and hope they have that drive.
If the heights/weights are accurate we'll at the very least look more like a Big 10 team. Seems they wanted size and got it. OBxpress hit on it with the heart,desire and coaching. Some players are going to have to contribute right away. And lets not forget this coaching staff has extra motivation also.Depending on the AD situation they'll have about a 10 month audition to save their jobs.
Since something like 70% of all recruits are given 3 stars or less, it's likely (I don't have the numbers) that there's a large representation of those in the NFL.
The more stars you have, the better hit rate you have, but the hit rate is never 100%, even for 5 stars. It's just that there aren't that many highly rated players: only about 30 five star recruits in any given year.
I am no talent evaluator by any means, but I was impressed by DT Kenyon Jackson. Dude is athletic for 290 pounds. Several times in his videos he ran down 'backs' that tried to get outside. Think I even saw him line up at LB, bust through the line and run down the QB. I'm guessing the 5'11/6' listings kept some of the bigger schools away from him.
film.
florida hs fb>>> illinois hs fb Clayton had to pay Dalvin cook as a HS sophomore for example. and Central 2 years in a row I'll go ahead and say he's gone up against better talent.
Clayton was offered before Spears back in may, under beckham... so "replacement" is not the word id use.
florida hs fb>>> illinois hs fb Clayton had to pay Dalvin cook as a HS sophomore for example. and Central 2 years in a row I'll go ahead and say he's gone up against better talent.
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Jacob I have some bad news for you I was not a fan of either Spears or Moran. Spears I perceived as a wlb from the jump and one that was stiff at that I liked him much better as a power rb, and would consider talking over Moran at that position.
Moran I saw as badly over rated and no more than a mid 3* when he credited as a 4* before that was finally lowered. To me he was more of the same as rb, while being a lesser version and likely a guy on the bench who might play his senior year. At least Spears brought something different.
Nations got the same rating as Moran and is a different kind of back that can have purpose from the beginning. I liked Shogbonyo better than Spears and only was out rated when I saw the improvement in Spears senior tape. That said I believe Shogbonyo will become the better player.:huh: