Based on what you have seen the first two weeks, what are the Illini's top 5 recruiting needs?
Here are a few of my thoughts. I'll have a recruiting roundup this week that goes in-depth on this.
In no particular order:
* Speed and quickness. (Ricky Smalling, Carmoni Green, Tony Adams)
* Bulk on the offensive line. (Vederian Lowe, Larry Boyd)
* Defensive linemen who can play early. (Olalere Oladipo)
* A QB who is ready to take over the reins ______?_______
* Corners who can compete physically. (Antwan Collier).
They also need a punter and another place kicker. Hindsight is 20/20 I guess, but a second punter really should have been addressed in the spring. Ryan Frain was hurt, and David Reisner had a really rough day. Have open tryouts?
The quarterback position is a potential game-changer. I don't believe Illinois can enter 2017 with only Chayce Crouch, Jeff George Jr., and Cam Thomas. Not if they want to make progress. I actually think they need two more QB's - another HS kid, and a transfer who can play immediately.
One more speedy wideout, and definitely more speed in the secondary in addition to Tony Adams.
On the D-line they have sold guys in Jamal Milan and Tito Odenigbo. After that, it's a crap shoot. Can Oladipo compete as a true freshman and give them a pass rusher? I like McGrew, but he's a backup type. The freshmen need to make a jump in the spring.
I want to see them add a physical MIKE linebacker. Maybe Fagot was that guy, but he probably projected as a WDE.
What about the fullback / superback position? We haven't yet heard any names emerge.
They will take another running back, and it needs to be a guy who has some jets.
Your thoughts?
Here are a few of my thoughts. I'll have a recruiting roundup this week that goes in-depth on this.
In no particular order:
* Speed and quickness. (Ricky Smalling, Carmoni Green, Tony Adams)
* Bulk on the offensive line. (Vederian Lowe, Larry Boyd)
* Defensive linemen who can play early. (Olalere Oladipo)
* A QB who is ready to take over the reins ______?_______
* Corners who can compete physically. (Antwan Collier).
They also need a punter and another place kicker. Hindsight is 20/20 I guess, but a second punter really should have been addressed in the spring. Ryan Frain was hurt, and David Reisner had a really rough day. Have open tryouts?
The quarterback position is a potential game-changer. I don't believe Illinois can enter 2017 with only Chayce Crouch, Jeff George Jr., and Cam Thomas. Not if they want to make progress. I actually think they need two more QB's - another HS kid, and a transfer who can play immediately.
One more speedy wideout, and definitely more speed in the secondary in addition to Tony Adams.
On the D-line they have sold guys in Jamal Milan and Tito Odenigbo. After that, it's a crap shoot. Can Oladipo compete as a true freshman and give them a pass rusher? I like McGrew, but he's a backup type. The freshmen need to make a jump in the spring.
I want to see them add a physical MIKE linebacker. Maybe Fagot was that guy, but he probably projected as a WDE.
What about the fullback / superback position? We haven't yet heard any names emerge.
They will take another running back, and it needs to be a guy who has some jets.
Your thoughts?
