* The recruiting evaluation period runs April 15 thru May 31. Coaches will on the road, beginning in Chicago, St. Louis, and Indianapolis. They will then branch out to Florida, Texas, Ohio, California, Georgia, and elsewhere. I'll have a recruiting roundups that includes kids they will check on.
* Even though it's going to be a small class, the fact that there is only one commit in late April is a concern. There just isn't a lot of Illinois football recruiting buzz right now, and some of that is self-inflicted. They need some guys to start popping to get this rolling. If they get into the June camp season without adding some commits....not good.
* In-state recruiting isn't the only thing. There are plenty of good players out there, and as long as you're landing them you will be fine. But it's a measuring stick. A bunch of Illinois kids are off the board. The four biggest misses are Devin O'Rourke and Greg Newsome (both Northwestern), Quincy Patterson (Virginia Tech), and Luke Ford (Arkansas). Illinois pushed hard for those four and struck out. They will keep recruiting these guys, especially Ford. But...
* Probably a mistake to have spring practice in February. I understand they didn't have the personnel to hold a true spring game, but they needed to be creative and have some kind of event for recruits. Other Big Ten schools have multiple visitors for their spring games.
* There are no plans to hire a replacement for fired Director of Player Personnel Josh Sternquist. Others in the section will assume the duties. It's mostly former NFL guys, so they will have some growing pains, IMO. There's a lot of planning that goes into it...camps, official visits, etc.
* Why not offer Louisville transfer Kyle Bolin? I'm not sure Bolin would come to Illinois - he wants to be the sure starter somewhere - but why not make a pitch? Everything seems to fit: Illinois has a need, and Garrick McGee coached this kid. We've all seen what Chase Crouch and Jeff George can do, and the JUCO kid Dwayne Lawson is a question mark. Freshman to be Cam Thomas is a project. I think fans are confused by the lack of urgency to solidify the QB position, and rightfully so.
* Speaking of QB, I really like the offers that Illinois has out - especially the Cali kid Re-Al Mitchell, is who way underrated. I think they could get Kaleb Eleby from St. Louis right now, but maybe they are waiting on some other kids first.
* Tons of new offers to really good players in Florida, Texas, and California. Speed is the common denominator. The scouting department is doing a good job, but some of those kids are early offer types and it's going to be hard to build a relationship at this point - especially with the QB's, who tend to commit early. The offer lists for these kids are ominous.
* Three coaches can turn the tide for Illinois if they can land some talent in their regions: Thad Ward (St. Louis), Andrew Hayes-Stoker (Texas), Donnie Abraham (Florida). Luke Butkus is also doing a good job building relationships with Midwest offensive linemen.
* The NCAA shot down the out of state satellite camps on high school campuses. Illinois has three camps in Champaign: June 3 Showcase Day Camp, June 15 Specialist Camp, June 16 Friday Night Lights. They will probably have coaches at some out of state camps on college campuses. Lindenwood in the St. Louis area is a possibility.
* Biggest focus this recruiting class is offensive linemen, wide receivers, and secondary. But they aren't turning away any of those top defensive linemen who have offers.
Your questions?
* Even though it's going to be a small class, the fact that there is only one commit in late April is a concern. There just isn't a lot of Illinois football recruiting buzz right now, and some of that is self-inflicted. They need some guys to start popping to get this rolling. If they get into the June camp season without adding some commits....not good.
* In-state recruiting isn't the only thing. There are plenty of good players out there, and as long as you're landing them you will be fine. But it's a measuring stick. A bunch of Illinois kids are off the board. The four biggest misses are Devin O'Rourke and Greg Newsome (both Northwestern), Quincy Patterson (Virginia Tech), and Luke Ford (Arkansas). Illinois pushed hard for those four and struck out. They will keep recruiting these guys, especially Ford. But...
* Probably a mistake to have spring practice in February. I understand they didn't have the personnel to hold a true spring game, but they needed to be creative and have some kind of event for recruits. Other Big Ten schools have multiple visitors for their spring games.
* There are no plans to hire a replacement for fired Director of Player Personnel Josh Sternquist. Others in the section will assume the duties. It's mostly former NFL guys, so they will have some growing pains, IMO. There's a lot of planning that goes into it...camps, official visits, etc.
* Why not offer Louisville transfer Kyle Bolin? I'm not sure Bolin would come to Illinois - he wants to be the sure starter somewhere - but why not make a pitch? Everything seems to fit: Illinois has a need, and Garrick McGee coached this kid. We've all seen what Chase Crouch and Jeff George can do, and the JUCO kid Dwayne Lawson is a question mark. Freshman to be Cam Thomas is a project. I think fans are confused by the lack of urgency to solidify the QB position, and rightfully so.
* Speaking of QB, I really like the offers that Illinois has out - especially the Cali kid Re-Al Mitchell, is who way underrated. I think they could get Kaleb Eleby from St. Louis right now, but maybe they are waiting on some other kids first.
* Tons of new offers to really good players in Florida, Texas, and California. Speed is the common denominator. The scouting department is doing a good job, but some of those kids are early offer types and it's going to be hard to build a relationship at this point - especially with the QB's, who tend to commit early. The offer lists for these kids are ominous.
* Three coaches can turn the tide for Illinois if they can land some talent in their regions: Thad Ward (St. Louis), Andrew Hayes-Stoker (Texas), Donnie Abraham (Florida). Luke Butkus is also doing a good job building relationships with Midwest offensive linemen.
* The NCAA shot down the out of state satellite camps on high school campuses. Illinois has three camps in Champaign: June 3 Showcase Day Camp, June 15 Specialist Camp, June 16 Friday Night Lights. They will probably have coaches at some out of state camps on college campuses. Lindenwood in the St. Louis area is a possibility.
* Biggest focus this recruiting class is offensive linemen, wide receivers, and secondary. But they aren't turning away any of those top defensive linemen who have offers.
Your questions?
