The OrangeandBlueNews.com Recruiting Roundup for both football and basketball will now appear exclusively on our message boards, with a link on the front page.
August 25 a big day for Illini
The complexion of the Illini’s 2017 recruiting class could change dramatically next week, with two prime targets set to announce their college decision.
Illinois has long been hot after 4-star wide receiver Carmoni Green from Miami (Fla.) Central, and they hosted him for a three-day visit. It is thought to two be a two-way battle between Illinois and Pitt, with the Illini holding a slight edge. Pairing Green with current commit Ricky Smalling – who also has 4-star ability if not the ranking - would go a long way towards addressing the Illini’s need for speed in the wide receiver corps. Illinois is also among the leaders for Green’s high school teammate, 4-star defense end Owen Carney.
Huntley (Ill.) defensive end Olalere Oladipo tops the Illini’s in-state recruiting board. We believe Oladipo is the most important Illini recruit in the 2017 class due to both a need at defensive end and as a catalyst for opening up the in-state flood gates. Others in the mix include Indiana and Penn State, but we feel that Illinois holds an edge. Illinois has put on the full court press for Oladipo and he has strong bonds to the coaching staff.
Anything can happen in recruiting, but we believe Illinois is in good position to land both Green and Oladipo next week. There are other wide receivers and pass rushers on the Illinois recruiting board, so missing on this pair wouldn’t be catastrophic. But it would be disappointing.
Meet me in St. Louis
The recruiting duo of Thad Ward as the point man and head coach Lovie Smith as the closer paid big dividends for the Illini when they landed St. Louis prospects Tony Adams and Larry Boyd. Ward and Lovie are proving to be a lethal combination, and Ward is emerging as a star recruiter on the Illini staff.
The commitments of Adams and Boyd opened some eyes, especially among other players and coaches in the St. Louis metropolitan area. Opening thing back up in the St. Louis comes at a good time for Illinois, with the talent level in the area surging.
There’s still work to do. The Illini were never able to get strongly in the mix for 4-star offensive lineman Marquis Hayes, who is committed to Oklahoma. They are hoping a recent visit has them back in the hunt for East St. Louis wide receiver Jeff Thomas. In the class of 2018, the Illini have work to do to land on the list of favorites for 4-star prospects Trevor Trout and Kamryn Babb.
Even with the challenges ahead, we saw with the Larry Boyd whirl-wind recruitment that getting kids on campus to talk to Lovie can change things in a hurry. Illinois is one of the favorites for both 3-star defensive end Ronnie Perkins and 3-star wide receiver Cameron Brown. Both have been on campus in Champaign this summer. The Illini also have a good shot at 4-star defensive tackle Michael Thompson. Additionally, they are in good position early for 2019 quarterback / athlete Isaiah Williams, a teammate of Boyd’s at Trinity Christian.
Will Illinois add a quarterback?
The 2016 season hasn’t kicked off yet, but coaches surely have an eye on the 2017 roster. Two scholarship quarterbacks – Eli Peters and Jimmy Fitzgerald - have left Illinois since Lovie Smith took over the program in March. That leaves only Chayce Crouch and Jeff George Jr. as returnees next season, joined by incoming freshmen Cameron Thomas, a 3-star prospect from Chicago Heights (Ill.) Marian Catholic.
Assuming Thomas will need time to get acclimated to the college game, the logical conclusion is that the Illini staff has to make another move. Gambling that a 5th year player will be available next spring doesn’t seem like the safe strategy unless they already have a plan in place.
It would make sense the Illini will scour the junior college ranks to see if there’s a quarterback that fits the mold of dynamic playmaker that Garrick McGee wants at the position. The JUCO ranks aren’t loaded with great quarterback prospects, so finding the next Tony Eason – the Illini great who played at American River JC in Sacramento, Calif. – won’t be easy. But it’s one option.
It’s a bit of a misnomer that McGee prefers a running quarterback. Illinois isn’t bringing back the wishbone. The profile that fits the system is a big-armed QB who can also make plays with his feet. So far, the staff is playing it close to the vest and hasn't revealed plans to address the quarterback position, but common sense dictates that they will begin to identify some targets over the next few months. We don't believe they can enter the 2017 season with just two veterans and a freshman at the most important position on the field.
Beyond the Block I Report
In the Block I Report, we list the priority targets who are most likely to sign with Illinois in February. With Illinois expected to sign a full class of 25 in 2017, obviously many more prospects are on the recruiting board.
3-star athlete Russ Yeast from Greenwood (Ind.) Center Grove visited Illinois in July and put them in his top 6. Auburn, Ole Miss and Iowa will likely get officials. Yeast recently told Rivals.com that Illinois is recruiting him hard. Yeast plays running back, wide receiver, and cornerback.
Trajon Cotton, a 3-star athlete from Sacramento (Calif.) Inderkum is planning an official visit to Illinois on Nov. 5 when the Illini host Michigan State. Cotton also plans to trips to Nebraska, Arizona State and Colorado.
Ft. Lauderdale (Fla.) Calvary Christian linebacker Diego Fagot is somewhat under the radar. His top offers are from Illinois and Pitt. Fagot is set to visit Illinois officially on Sept. 9. Fagot is a big, physical middle linebacker at 6-foot-3, 230 pounds.
August 25 a big day for Illini
The complexion of the Illini’s 2017 recruiting class could change dramatically next week, with two prime targets set to announce their college decision.
Illinois has long been hot after 4-star wide receiver Carmoni Green from Miami (Fla.) Central, and they hosted him for a three-day visit. It is thought to two be a two-way battle between Illinois and Pitt, with the Illini holding a slight edge. Pairing Green with current commit Ricky Smalling – who also has 4-star ability if not the ranking - would go a long way towards addressing the Illini’s need for speed in the wide receiver corps. Illinois is also among the leaders for Green’s high school teammate, 4-star defense end Owen Carney.
Huntley (Ill.) defensive end Olalere Oladipo tops the Illini’s in-state recruiting board. We believe Oladipo is the most important Illini recruit in the 2017 class due to both a need at defensive end and as a catalyst for opening up the in-state flood gates. Others in the mix include Indiana and Penn State, but we feel that Illinois holds an edge. Illinois has put on the full court press for Oladipo and he has strong bonds to the coaching staff.
Anything can happen in recruiting, but we believe Illinois is in good position to land both Green and Oladipo next week. There are other wide receivers and pass rushers on the Illinois recruiting board, so missing on this pair wouldn’t be catastrophic. But it would be disappointing.
Meet me in St. Louis
The recruiting duo of Thad Ward as the point man and head coach Lovie Smith as the closer paid big dividends for the Illini when they landed St. Louis prospects Tony Adams and Larry Boyd. Ward and Lovie are proving to be a lethal combination, and Ward is emerging as a star recruiter on the Illini staff.
The commitments of Adams and Boyd opened some eyes, especially among other players and coaches in the St. Louis metropolitan area. Opening thing back up in the St. Louis comes at a good time for Illinois, with the talent level in the area surging.
There’s still work to do. The Illini were never able to get strongly in the mix for 4-star offensive lineman Marquis Hayes, who is committed to Oklahoma. They are hoping a recent visit has them back in the hunt for East St. Louis wide receiver Jeff Thomas. In the class of 2018, the Illini have work to do to land on the list of favorites for 4-star prospects Trevor Trout and Kamryn Babb.
Even with the challenges ahead, we saw with the Larry Boyd whirl-wind recruitment that getting kids on campus to talk to Lovie can change things in a hurry. Illinois is one of the favorites for both 3-star defensive end Ronnie Perkins and 3-star wide receiver Cameron Brown. Both have been on campus in Champaign this summer. The Illini also have a good shot at 4-star defensive tackle Michael Thompson. Additionally, they are in good position early for 2019 quarterback / athlete Isaiah Williams, a teammate of Boyd’s at Trinity Christian.
Will Illinois add a quarterback?
The 2016 season hasn’t kicked off yet, but coaches surely have an eye on the 2017 roster. Two scholarship quarterbacks – Eli Peters and Jimmy Fitzgerald - have left Illinois since Lovie Smith took over the program in March. That leaves only Chayce Crouch and Jeff George Jr. as returnees next season, joined by incoming freshmen Cameron Thomas, a 3-star prospect from Chicago Heights (Ill.) Marian Catholic.
Assuming Thomas will need time to get acclimated to the college game, the logical conclusion is that the Illini staff has to make another move. Gambling that a 5th year player will be available next spring doesn’t seem like the safe strategy unless they already have a plan in place.
It would make sense the Illini will scour the junior college ranks to see if there’s a quarterback that fits the mold of dynamic playmaker that Garrick McGee wants at the position. The JUCO ranks aren’t loaded with great quarterback prospects, so finding the next Tony Eason – the Illini great who played at American River JC in Sacramento, Calif. – won’t be easy. But it’s one option.
It’s a bit of a misnomer that McGee prefers a running quarterback. Illinois isn’t bringing back the wishbone. The profile that fits the system is a big-armed QB who can also make plays with his feet. So far, the staff is playing it close to the vest and hasn't revealed plans to address the quarterback position, but common sense dictates that they will begin to identify some targets over the next few months. We don't believe they can enter the 2017 season with just two veterans and a freshman at the most important position on the field.
Beyond the Block I Report
In the Block I Report, we list the priority targets who are most likely to sign with Illinois in February. With Illinois expected to sign a full class of 25 in 2017, obviously many more prospects are on the recruiting board.
3-star athlete Russ Yeast from Greenwood (Ind.) Center Grove visited Illinois in July and put them in his top 6. Auburn, Ole Miss and Iowa will likely get officials. Yeast recently told Rivals.com that Illinois is recruiting him hard. Yeast plays running back, wide receiver, and cornerback.
Trajon Cotton, a 3-star athlete from Sacramento (Calif.) Inderkum is planning an official visit to Illinois on Nov. 5 when the Illini host Michigan State. Cotton also plans to trips to Nebraska, Arizona State and Colorado.
Ft. Lauderdale (Fla.) Calvary Christian linebacker Diego Fagot is somewhat under the radar. His top offers are from Illinois and Pitt. Fagot is set to visit Illinois officially on Sept. 9. Fagot is a big, physical middle linebacker at 6-foot-3, 230 pounds.
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