Joel Goodson
- dawgville
Florida 4 star DL, 6' 4" 275 (2026):
he's pretty good:
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Illinois Football Recruiting Thread
Joel Goodson
- dawgville
good news:
mhuml32
- Cincinnati, OH
I tried to create a scenario where Illinois finishes well this season (9-3?) and sees a really strong response in the recruiting cycle:
If Illinois got Kaveon Lee (OT), Clayton Lakatos (S), Gabe Kaminski (Edge), Donovan Starr (CB), and, gulp, Tarvos Alford (LB), that would give Illinois two 4-stars and bump their recruiting all the way up from 64 (kinda embarrassing) to 36 (average).
That would be a hellacious finish and I can't imagine Illinois taking on that many more preps, but that's just an example of hitting the ceiling within the current situation.
If Illinois got Kaveon Lee (OT), Clayton Lakatos (S), Gabe Kaminski (Edge), Donovan Starr (CB), and, gulp, Tarvos Alford (LB), that would give Illinois two 4-stars and bump their recruiting all the way up from 64 (kinda embarrassing) to 36 (average).
That would be a hellacious finish and I can't imagine Illinois taking on that many more preps, but that's just an example of hitting the ceiling within the current situation.
Joel Goodson
- dawgville
good work. I will say that I like our commits (I think a good number are better than their rating)
That’s a good question, I’ve been thinking about that as well. I agree it’s a little of both but think I would lean 60/40ish to Bret coaching them up.
A lot depends on the QB. When Altmyer struggled and we had the Paddock experience (which was great), it led to an underwhelming season. Thus far, Altmyer has been exceptional and we're 4-0. There's clearly more to it, but when you get stellar QB play, it makes the whole team better
How bout Terry Shelton? Another guy whom gotta imagine we'd at least might be in touch with him...
Joel Goodson
- dawgville
return visits are good signs, right?
We do a very good job recruiting to our system, developing and evaluating talent.
He's got a good offer list....and Iowa
Michael Clayton, Seminole , Quarterback
2023: Led Edgewater to a 11-1 record and the regional semifinals of Florida’s 3M playoffs. Completed 120 of 224 passes (53.6%) for 1,902 yards with 18 TD and 9...
247sports.com
I think it is 60% recruiting (identifying underrated players and recruiting to their system and philosophy), 60% player development and 60% overall coaching/program development. Or in other words, he’s just elevated every area. No one area has reached elite or even great status, but he’s got things to where Illini are at least competent (and I think higher than that) in all areas. Better chance to reach the upper shelves when the 3 legs on the stool are longer in general and none are considerably shorter than any others.
I also wouldn’t discount the importance of having a competent or better QB. Elevates the whole team.
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There is more to recruiting than the # of stars. Intelligence, coachability, fit for your scheme, etc are undervalued in the * system.
mhuml32
- Cincinnati, OH
Broke this down during the winter: https://www.illinoisloyalty.com/post/illinois-football-recruiting-thread.33171/page-4#post-1985020
TLDR;
Illinois recruiting classes used to be lowly ranked because the average commit was getting less than an average of one other P5 offer. Since Bielema has gotten here, the recruiting class rank has improved but more importantly you are seeing their commits averaging more P5 offers than the rest of the (old) B1G West competition in 2023.
Illinois has also been very good in the portal (or Juco) picking up needs. They've fine-tuned those players, had success with them, which has led to other portal players picking Illinois. BB and staff have worked the portal very well.....Keep some portal spots open for 2025 because they'll need a half-dozen or so.
Edit: they are losing 4 DL and Seth Coleman. Maybe Jacas too. That's a whole sale change along the lines of what we saw from the DB's after 2022. That didn't bode well for the 2023 season. Illinois will need the portal and has a sell for those players.
Edit2 - Since I'm on 2025 changes. If things go real well, will Illinois be looking for an OC in 2025? Someone is going to get a head coaching gig at some point.
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mhuml32
- Cincinnati, OH
It's very possible. Lots of dominoes still to fall but Bielema is likely needing to build/revise a list to prepare regardless.
I would imagine BB has a list ready. Still a lot needs to happen for Lunney to leave. He could also want to come back for Luke’s senior season with a team that will be loaded with returning starters.
GrayGhost77
- Centennial, CO
Agree. Next season could (should) be really special. Looking at next years schedule, we could be talking about a double digit win team if everything breaks right.
We have a few spots to fill but everything is building for next season to be a special year. It’s a shame we didn’t make a bowl game last year. The narrative around the program would be different now.
Let's not forget that we have had key Transfers-in that have helped the team perform at a high level.
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
Even including that, 247's Team Talent Composite has us at dead last in the Big Ten.
If we can keep this up it's a remarkable overachievement of the talent level.
Mr. Tibbs
- southeast DuPage
agree we are “over achieving” a little , but after the top tier programs in the league , we just really don’t know if “6th pl recruiting class “ is all that better than the “14th” just based on 5 more 4 star guys in the class .
it’s not like these players all got tested at some neutral site combine . the grading today is so so subjective and based on some AI algorithm that is really just to generate clicks .
for all we know , all the ratings can be flipped upside down .
of course , Ga & Ohio St and Bama & Texas stand out . but let’s talk programs currently ranked 15-40. what really do we know ?
Its always been the case in football that judging talent is really hard. The NFL is loaded with guys who were low rated high school recruits.
So I'd not say over achievement as much as good talent identification.