Mr. Tibbs
- southeast DuPage
also going to need a couple good DL and OT .
Illinois Football Recruiting Thread
Wilcher, Dixon, elzy, Beaty , sanders and Hollins all return plus arkin and rusk. It’s a nice start but it would be nice to add a veteran to that group. Getting Rusk back will really help the passing game
We have a great sell to WRs. We run a modern offense (unlike Iowa), Isaiah and Casey are on active NFL rosters, and Pat and Zakhari are on their way there
Joel Goodson
- dawgville
3 star WR/ATH/SS ('26) from Ohio:
6' 2" 175 and a real speedster (4.5 40 laser timed)
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WR, DE, DT and OT should be the priority.
We return a lot next year and it would be Luke’s 3rd year in this system. I’m worried about adding to the dline
mhuml32
- Cincinnati, OH
It's interesting game theory choices - you could decide to save at WR with the belief that Altmyer will rise everyone's performance and throw a ton of money at one tackle (Henderson filling the other) and a couple dynamic defensive line pieces. Or you could bring in a top WR, top tackle, offensive line depth, and a little defensive line depth with the expectation the offense will carry your team.
I would guess Henderson and Priesley are the starting tackles. We also have Kellen Francis the juco recruit. I would just like to see someone brought in to compete for the spot.
We have all the linebackers and secondary back for next year. If we can have just a solid d line we will be very good
Joel Goodson
- dawgville
a rising tide lifts all boats: hopefully, it works that way with our NIL too
mhuml32
- Cincinnati, OH
Looking around at some "local" teams who are struggling, areas where Bielema has known geographical connections, or head coach at risk of being fired that have recruits with Illinois connections (avoiding obvious names that have floated here in the past):
Jayquan Stubbs - DL from Cleveland - Committed to Minnesota - Illinois wanted him as a summer visit but he verballed to Fleck before that happened.
Michael O'Connell - OT Glendbard West - Committed to Northwestern - Illinois offered him late spring but he verballed to NW quickly after.
Landon Brooks - Edge from Muncie - Committed to Purdue - Illinois was really involved when Bullen was here but not sure if that changed.
Darrin Strey - OT from Paw Paw MI - Committed to Kentucky - Was a priority for the staff. He took visits after his UK commitment, so might be open?
Grayson Wilson - QB from Conway AR - Committed to Arkansas - Seems pretty unlikely to add another QB but Lunney offered him in 2022. Highly rated QB.
Jayquan Stubbs - DL from Cleveland - Committed to Minnesota - Illinois wanted him as a summer visit but he verballed to Fleck before that happened.
Michael O'Connell - OT Glendbard West - Committed to Northwestern - Illinois offered him late spring but he verballed to NW quickly after.
Landon Brooks - Edge from Muncie - Committed to Purdue - Illinois was really involved when Bullen was here but not sure if that changed.
Darrin Strey - OT from Paw Paw MI - Committed to Kentucky - Was a priority for the staff. He took visits after his UK commitment, so might be open?
Grayson Wilson - QB from Conway AR - Committed to Arkansas - Seems pretty unlikely to add another QB but Lunney offered him in 2022. Highly rated QB.
mhuml32
- Cincinnati, OH
If it's me, I want a similar experience mold of Priestly - someone who's played plenty of snaps at a lower level and wants to compete but is likely a swing. Find someone that gives you depth on the outside because (a) injuries happen and (b) there are going to be Illinois players who are upperclassmen who aren't starting that will likely transfer.
They (smartly) brought his brother on board as a walk-on
A name I would like at tackle is Enrique Cruz from Syracuse. Then if he wins the spot you can slide Henderson in at guard.
Brooke bahr, Jamel Howard, Trey pierce and tyler morris are a few guys I would kick the tires on.
Brandon svets is another player that would make sense
I’m guessing staff is setting up visits for Purdue and Michigan games. Probably revisiting some who were not as interested before the season. and hopefully commitments after that.
With the way the defensive backs have been playing the last few years, I would think the best DB's are looking hard at Illinois with an eye toward the NFL. Also, the way the line has improved should also be turning some heads in the near future. If they can stop the run this weekend...look out!
madillini4
Ozamataz Buckshank
- Millywaukee
Didn’t realize he hasn’t played. Purdue is absolutely awful. I have enjoyed betting against them lol.
Jamarion Parker, dj miller and sael Reyes are also guys I would be in touch with.
If we keep up this success the transfer portal should be interesting. I would also expect we flip some recruits
Not sure where he would fit anytime soon. Karriem is struggling to see the field.
mhuml32
- Cincinnati, OH
These are even better than my list. This would be your "shoot your shot" list for players that likely weren't as interested in Illinois but things may now be different. With Illinois' defensive back success, I have no idea how recruits like Reyes do not have more interest playing in this scheme.
Reyes would be a great fit. He’s a former East Louis player and the kid is just a player. Would really like to see him in this defense.
After seeing the we ran the ball against Nebraska if I was Parker I would be calling BB.
mhuml32
- Cincinnati, OH
We were talking a little about this before but the NIL era has shifted when the impact occurs from on-field success. If you have a good season, you see the impact the following recruiting cycle. NIL does lock in the upper crust of players and coaching staffs have been smarter to lock in these guys earlier to have a stronger bond (except Fleck).
For example, 2022 Illinois goes 8-4 and they have the best recruiting in years during the class of 2023. Then Illinois goes 5-7 last year and we are seeing the effects with an underwhelming 2024 class. I agree with @therealmiket86 's statement about the portal and last minute flips - you will see some recruits that the staff is keeping communication open and you hope 1-3 of them flip near end of the season. The earliest sign and most promising would be the portal - the team's success and the (likely) increase in available NIL funds will be apparent then. It also means more money flows into the current roster to retain players that will get calls from well-resourced programs. Finishing strong will be important. If Illinois starts 4-0 but finishes the year at 7-5, that likely dampers (some of) the excitement.
Therefore my prognostication is that we are going to be a nice recruiting bounceback in the 2026 class because of this strong start barring an epic collapse. It goes a long way to show two of three really strong classes from Bielema and no one can claim "these are Lovie's recruits" this year.