1. Veteran PG
2. Tall SG with high 3PT%
3. "Stretch" 5
4. Depth glue guy, positionless

Looking forward to another season of Illinois football…I value your opinions.

This is a fun board. I’ve been a member for a long time. As crazy as this sounds, reading the messages on this board has given me something to look forward to during some really challenging times.

Have a blessed Easter Sunday my friends.

Jamar “Popcorn” Morris joined the Illinois recruiting staff in 2023 as an assistant director of recruiting. Morris came to Champaign with recruiting experience at Big Ten programs Northwestern and Wisconsin.

Morris most recently served as a recruiting assistant intern at Northwestern during the 2022 season. He joined Northwestern after stints as a behavioral education assistant at Madison Memorial High School (Wis.), scouting for the East-West Shrine Game and Optimum Scouting, and a recruiting assistant intern position for the Wisconsin football program during the 2020 season.

Morris graduated from Northwestern Oklahoma State University in 2019 with a degree in health and sports science education. He was a four-year member of the football team as a tight end and a team captain. Prior to Northwestern Oklahoma State, Morris was a standout player on both sides of the ball for Madison Memorial High School (Wis.), where he earned All-State honors.

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Melendez has entered the Transfer Portal, per multiple reports.

Fighting Illini Showcase

In November with dates and teams TBA.

Scroll down to almost the end of the article.

I had hoped to answer some of this stuff in the mailbag, but the questions aren't rolling in, so....

First, people inside the athletic department are certain Brad Underwood will be the coach next season. The rumors that were floating around were not made up, though. It's been common practice now in the offseason for Underwood's name to be floated around. Throwing stuff up on the wall to see what sticks. Underwood has a WDWS radio appearance on Monday at the Esquire bar here in Champaign.

There are two trains of thought among the big hitters that support the program and highly placed people at the university. One group believes Underwood brought the program back from the dark days and deserves their support. Another group thinks his antics this year were an embarrassment to the university. And it's not the first time during his tenure at Illinois that personal behavior became an issue with some people. Also, some boosters want more bang for their buck. At this point, I don't think either group is absolutely certain he's the long term answer, though. That chorus will get louder if there is a mass exodus of players. Not even a whisper from AD Josh Whitman yet, who I'm sure is aware of the circulating rumors.

Some college coaches are hearing rumors that Jayden Epps may be available, especially schools closer to his home state of Virginia. A common theme is that he's homesick and wants to come back east, maybe to the ACC.

It sounds like RJ Melendez is going through the same type of decision process that he had last offseason. 'Should I stay or should I go'. Some people around him are rumored to want him closer to home. They wanted to support him more when he was struggling mid-season, but distance made it tough. I love how hard Melendez played this year. Hope he comes back.

I have heard that some NIL boosters would pony up to keep Terrence Shannon Jr. for another year. No information that is particularly solid on that yet, though. A couple of NIL insiders that I know are making inquires. For his part, I think Shannon would like to go pro but there's a chance he wouldn't get drafted.

Coleman Hawkins is in decision mode. He had a rough time this year emotionally dealing with a locker room that wasn't connected. There were chemistry issues on the court that got under his skin as well. I'm not sure what he would think about Shannon coming back. Subtracting Mayer might help. My guess is that he declares for the Draft but retains his college eligibility. I have no feel yet if the Portal is in play. His candid comments in the post game after the loss to Arkansas were a clear indication that he's not concerned about ruffling feathers at this point.

No idea on Sencire Harris. He tweeted that he's coming back then deleted it. I'd assume he comes back. If he leaves, would he have to take a step down to a marginal high-major team or even to a mid-major? With Underwood looking hard for transfer guards, they can't really promise Harris a bigger role next year. He's not a point guard. He's not a shooter.

Dain Dainja would probably prefer to transfer, but that's a risky proposition with the NCAA promising to enforce the sit-out rule for two-time DI transfers. I'd call in him 50/50.

Luke Goode already said in a radio interview that he's coming back. Ty Rodgers hasn't said anything publicly, but I believe he will come back.

The staff knows that roster construction became a huge issue. They know you need guards. That's the priority right now, and they need multiple guys. There's at least one that they feel pretty good about so far.

Underwood made a mistake when he made promises to Skyy Clark and handed him the keys. The whole "I'm taking a break from basketball" thing was total BS.

You never know, but I'd be surprised if any assistant coaches left. They won't get paid any better than they are now.

If you can predict the starting lineup next season, you're a better man than me.

I believe this week will bring some news. Everyone is waiting for the first shoe to drop.

First, high school recruiting means next to nothing right now. They will do their due diligence and bring a few kids on campus. It's all about the Portal, though. And I think Illinois doesn't have a ton of buzz with many highly-ranked high school kids. The class of 2025 is probably the focus during the first live period that's coming up (April 21-23 / April 28-30).

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Illinois would still like a long wing / shooter in the 2024 class. I just don't think Cole Certa is a take right now. He wouldn't be for me. I watched him three times live this year. He's a great shooter with unlimited range. I just don't see the fit with Illinois. He gets down and mopes when a couple of shots don't go in or other things don't go his way. He really struggles being strong with the ball in a crowd. I'd take him if he grows another couple of inches and can play the 3, but as a 2G I don't see it. He's young and will get stronger, so that's a consideration. But I'd wait to see if he goes mid-major then go after him in the Portal if he blows up at that level.

Expect visits at some point from Jaiden Glover and Austin Schwarz. Beyond that, it's pretty cloudy. Trey McKinney and Colt Langdon are probably the top 2025 kids. It will be hard to beat the Michigan schools for McKinney. That list will grow this spring. I like Quincy guard Bradley Longcor. He was good in Milwaukee last weekend. Antonio Munoz from Whitney Young is going to blow up this spring / summer.

EYBL dates

Session 1: Atlanta, April 21-23
Session 2: Phoenix, April 28-30
Session 3: Dallas, May 12-14
Session 4: Memphis: May 26-29
Peach Jam: July 3-9

Adidas 3SSB dates

Chapter 1: Council Bluffs, IA, April 21-23
Chapter 2: Byran, TX, April 28-30
Chapter 3: Rock Hill, SC, July 5-9

UAA schedule

Session 1: Mesa, AZ, April 21-23
Session 2: Rock Hill, SC, April 28-30
Finals: Cartersville, G, July 6-9

I'm putting in FutureCast picks to Illinois for WR Luke Williams and OL Zuri Madison.

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Can someone explain how this NIL concept works? In particular:
- who determines how much NIL player 'X' gets?
-is the NIL deal an annual thing or could it be multi-year?
- when do NIL arrangements get discussed with player 'X'? During the recruiting process; after letter of intent is signed?
- is the NIL process different for portal transfers?
-is an actual contract signed stipulating terms and conditions and player responsibilities?
-what role does the university and/or athletic department play in NIL negotiations?
-is there a framework that all NIL programs have to follow or does each program define their own rules and regulations?

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This list is fluid right now. The picture should begin to clear up with the recruiting dead period ending on Thursday and transfers setting up visits. Some of the players we have on the watch list could move up, and some new names will pop up as well.

I'm going to lock this, and you guys can discuss it in the Transfer Portal thread to avoid confusion. I'll bump the thread when changes are made.

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