HOOPS RECRUITING BUZZ
The buzz around Francis Okoro continues to be loud. Will he reclassify to 2018? It’s pretty clear that he wants to do that and that if he is able to graduate then that will be his plan.
Now, where will he attend? That’s a great question. Okoro has had in home visits with Illinois and Purdue, and recently officially visited Oregon. Sources tell me that they believe that it is a Purdue v Illinois battle and that he will officially visit both schools this spring and then decide after he gets his test score back and can confirm being in the 2018 class.
Bryce Golden visited Syracuse last weekend and now has a visit set up to Illinois in the coming days. The fact that he got out of Syracuse without committing is huge and means that Illinois has a shot. Butler and Georgetown are also on the mix within his final finals schools. Golden is more of a 4, a huge need for the Illini, that can play the 5, as opposed to a true 5 like Okoro or Samba Kane.
Illinois moved the Maurice Calloo visit to later in the spring, date TBD. Blake Hinson is still planning an April 25th visit.
We still expect another player to leave the basketball team this spring.
The NCAA live evaluation periods are coming up April 20-22 and April 27-29. Rivals will have coverage from these events.
SPRING PREVIEW: ILLINOIS WOLVES
The Illinois Wolves compete in the Under Armour Association. Tournaments during the spring live periods include Session #1 April 20-22 in Dallas and Session #2 April 27-29 in Indianapolis
Orange and Blue News caught up Illinois Wolves director Mike Mullins to preview his 17U and 16U squads and talk about the upcoming UAA circuit.
How competitive can your 16U and 17U teams be in the UAA this year?
Mike Mullins: We have a lot of depth, we added some new guys, we have size, and we have athleticism. We are very optimistic between the core returning and some of the new guys we have added. We are going to have fun here at the end of the spring. Tony Young (Marmion Academy) will be coaching the 16’s and he does a great job with that team. We have a lot of length and size at that age.
Who are some of the high major prospects on the 17U Wolves that we should be watching this spring?
Mullins: Some of the leaders on the 17’s will be Perry Cowen (DePaul Prep) and Bryant Brown (Waukegan). Brown had a terrific junior season, and Perry did as well. Tommy Welch (Naperville North) is up to about 6-foot-8 and added about 20 pounds of muscle. Ciaran Brayboy (Glencoe) is a new player for us. He’s 6-foot-10, and he’s certainly somebody to watch as well. We have some speed at guard. Marquise Kennedy from Brother Rice is a state track and field qualifier. Aaron Strong from Farragut.
Who are some names to watch on your 16U squad?
Mullins: Will Wolfe (Aurora Christian) is about 6-foot-7 and can score the ball well. Donovan Newby (Bloom) is a guard for us. Max Christie (Rolling Meadows) will play 16U now. He won’t play 15U anymore. He started there in Milwaukee. We also have some other 15’s that will join that team intermittently and try to move them together in July. Anthony Sayles from Notre Dame. Chris Hodges from Schaumberg. Isaiah Barnes (Romeoville). Kids like that are going to be high major players. I think we have one of the best freshman groups in the state.
Talk about the growth of the Under Armour Association.
Mullins: I was fortunate to a founding member and one of the guys who helped develop it over the last seven years. I think we’re just hitting our peak in the quality and depth of the teams. The talent has been the best level that it’s been. The coaching has been outstanding. Under Armour and its infrastructure has been really supporter. I think they put down a circuit that doesn’t take a back seat to anybody. I would love to challenge and play the best of the other independents and shoe sponsor teams. That would be a worthwhile goal for all of basketball if we could play each other on a regular basis in addition to our circuit play.
TOP 10 ILLINOIS NFL DRAFT PROSPECTS
The 2018 NFL Draft is set for April 26-28. With that in mind, we give our scouting report on the top 10 pro prospects on the Illinois roster.
Bobby Roundtree, DE, Soph. As we’ve reported before, Roundtree is the most impressive Illini player on the hoof. Scouts will want to see improved fundamentals and ability to diagnose plays, but all the physical tools are there. Roundtree is thought of a pass-rusher, and he should triple his sack totals from last year. He needs to be better at getting off blocks and stopping the run.
Ricky Smalling, WR, Soph. Scouts will first notice Smalling’s physicality and ability to catch the ball in a crowd. He’s a crisp route runner and aggressive in-line blocker. We want to see Smalling get earlier separation and be a bit less stiff in adjusting to the ball in flight. Look for Smalling to emerge as one of the better receivers in the Big Ten.
Louis Dorsey, TE, Soph. The combination of length, athleticism, and ability to run after the catch make Dorsey a prototypical pass-catching tight end in a passing league, as the NFL is. He will need to land in the right system to maximize his ability. Dorsey should improve as a blocker, but likely won’t ever be overpowering.
Alex Palczewski, OL, Soph. Palcholewski lines up at guard for the Illini, but we like him at tackle. He has the initial quickness that scouts look for, natural knee bend, a long reach, and good body control. It’s just a matter of gaining the strength and bulk that he needs, and he’s already made big strides. He was the most unheralded of the 2017 OL recruits, but he may be the best of the bunch.
Nick Allegretti, OL, SR. Though not as long or possessing as much lateral range as the ideal pro prospect, Allegretti has a great anchor and he goes to the whistle on his blocks. His hand placement and punch are solid, and Allegretti has a thick, compact build. He will also knock the Wonderlic test out of the park.
Bennet Williams, DB, Soph. Right now, it’s all about tackling and aggressiveness against the run for Williams. He has the tools to be an all-around safety in the NFL, though, with good range and the ability to read and react. He has the speed to turn and close but needs to refine his man-to-man cover skills and ball awareness. Most of all, Williams has the kind of cockiness that you like from the quarterback of the defense.
Nate Hobbs, DB, Soph. Speed kills, and Hobbs can run with the best of them with tremendous catch-up speed. He fits best as a boundary corner in a Cover-2 scheme like Illinois runs, where he can use his size to shut down the flat. With a bit more work in the weight room, Hobbs will be able to jam receivers and funnel them to the inside. Scouts will notice that he’s a bit stiff in the hips, but overall Hobbs is a solid pro prospect.
Mike Dudek, WR, Sr. Though not quite the electric athlete that he was before a series of knee injuries, Dudek is still a water bug running his routes and he has vice grip hands. If you throw the ball near him, he’s going to haul it in. He also still possesses the elite body control that he displayed in his spectacular freshman season in 2014. Dudek needs to play a full season to prove to scouts that he can stay healthy and produce.
Vederian Lowe, OL, Soph. Going back to the summer before his senior season of high school, Lowe has made dramatic changes to his body and developed an uber-aggressive playing style. He’s moved ahead of Larry Boyd as a pro prospect at guard. Though not tremendously explosive, Lowe is a natural and fluid athlete who plays with strength and great leg drive at the point of contact. He still needs time to develop, but we see a draft pick in the making.
Calvin Avery, DL, Fr. We’re assuming a lot with this pick considering Avery hasn’t stepped on the field yet, but on film he was a wrecking ball at the high school level. Avery is the highest ranked recruit to sign with Illinois in the Lovie Smith era. With a low center of gravity and big-time burst, Avery could be the inside pass rusher that the Illini have been missing.
RANKINGS WEEK IS HERE
On Monday, Rivals reveals its final update to the 2018 Rivals150 basketball rankings.
On Wednesday, Rivals update the 2019 Rivals150 and on Friday will update and expand the 2020 top 75 to a top 100.
HARTLEB GETS WIN NO. 400
Congrats to Illinois baseball coach Dan Hartleb on securing his 400th win at Illinois on Sunday. He is now 400-289 at Illinois and his 400 career wins ranks third in Illinois history behind Lee Eilbracht’s 518 and Itch Jones’ 474. After a 23-28 season a year ago, the Illini are 23-8 this season.
The buzz around Francis Okoro continues to be loud. Will he reclassify to 2018? It’s pretty clear that he wants to do that and that if he is able to graduate then that will be his plan.
Now, where will he attend? That’s a great question. Okoro has had in home visits with Illinois and Purdue, and recently officially visited Oregon. Sources tell me that they believe that it is a Purdue v Illinois battle and that he will officially visit both schools this spring and then decide after he gets his test score back and can confirm being in the 2018 class.
Bryce Golden visited Syracuse last weekend and now has a visit set up to Illinois in the coming days. The fact that he got out of Syracuse without committing is huge and means that Illinois has a shot. Butler and Georgetown are also on the mix within his final finals schools. Golden is more of a 4, a huge need for the Illini, that can play the 5, as opposed to a true 5 like Okoro or Samba Kane.
Illinois moved the Maurice Calloo visit to later in the spring, date TBD. Blake Hinson is still planning an April 25th visit.
We still expect another player to leave the basketball team this spring.
The NCAA live evaluation periods are coming up April 20-22 and April 27-29. Rivals will have coverage from these events.
SPRING PREVIEW: ILLINOIS WOLVES
The Illinois Wolves compete in the Under Armour Association. Tournaments during the spring live periods include Session #1 April 20-22 in Dallas and Session #2 April 27-29 in Indianapolis
Orange and Blue News caught up Illinois Wolves director Mike Mullins to preview his 17U and 16U squads and talk about the upcoming UAA circuit.
How competitive can your 16U and 17U teams be in the UAA this year?
Mike Mullins: We have a lot of depth, we added some new guys, we have size, and we have athleticism. We are very optimistic between the core returning and some of the new guys we have added. We are going to have fun here at the end of the spring. Tony Young (Marmion Academy) will be coaching the 16’s and he does a great job with that team. We have a lot of length and size at that age.
Who are some of the high major prospects on the 17U Wolves that we should be watching this spring?
Mullins: Some of the leaders on the 17’s will be Perry Cowen (DePaul Prep) and Bryant Brown (Waukegan). Brown had a terrific junior season, and Perry did as well. Tommy Welch (Naperville North) is up to about 6-foot-8 and added about 20 pounds of muscle. Ciaran Brayboy (Glencoe) is a new player for us. He’s 6-foot-10, and he’s certainly somebody to watch as well. We have some speed at guard. Marquise Kennedy from Brother Rice is a state track and field qualifier. Aaron Strong from Farragut.
Who are some names to watch on your 16U squad?
Mullins: Will Wolfe (Aurora Christian) is about 6-foot-7 and can score the ball well. Donovan Newby (Bloom) is a guard for us. Max Christie (Rolling Meadows) will play 16U now. He won’t play 15U anymore. He started there in Milwaukee. We also have some other 15’s that will join that team intermittently and try to move them together in July. Anthony Sayles from Notre Dame. Chris Hodges from Schaumberg. Isaiah Barnes (Romeoville). Kids like that are going to be high major players. I think we have one of the best freshman groups in the state.
Talk about the growth of the Under Armour Association.
Mullins: I was fortunate to a founding member and one of the guys who helped develop it over the last seven years. I think we’re just hitting our peak in the quality and depth of the teams. The talent has been the best level that it’s been. The coaching has been outstanding. Under Armour and its infrastructure has been really supporter. I think they put down a circuit that doesn’t take a back seat to anybody. I would love to challenge and play the best of the other independents and shoe sponsor teams. That would be a worthwhile goal for all of basketball if we could play each other on a regular basis in addition to our circuit play.
TOP 10 ILLINOIS NFL DRAFT PROSPECTS
The 2018 NFL Draft is set for April 26-28. With that in mind, we give our scouting report on the top 10 pro prospects on the Illinois roster.
Bobby Roundtree, DE, Soph. As we’ve reported before, Roundtree is the most impressive Illini player on the hoof. Scouts will want to see improved fundamentals and ability to diagnose plays, but all the physical tools are there. Roundtree is thought of a pass-rusher, and he should triple his sack totals from last year. He needs to be better at getting off blocks and stopping the run.
Ricky Smalling, WR, Soph. Scouts will first notice Smalling’s physicality and ability to catch the ball in a crowd. He’s a crisp route runner and aggressive in-line blocker. We want to see Smalling get earlier separation and be a bit less stiff in adjusting to the ball in flight. Look for Smalling to emerge as one of the better receivers in the Big Ten.
Louis Dorsey, TE, Soph. The combination of length, athleticism, and ability to run after the catch make Dorsey a prototypical pass-catching tight end in a passing league, as the NFL is. He will need to land in the right system to maximize his ability. Dorsey should improve as a blocker, but likely won’t ever be overpowering.
Alex Palczewski, OL, Soph. Palcholewski lines up at guard for the Illini, but we like him at tackle. He has the initial quickness that scouts look for, natural knee bend, a long reach, and good body control. It’s just a matter of gaining the strength and bulk that he needs, and he’s already made big strides. He was the most unheralded of the 2017 OL recruits, but he may be the best of the bunch.
Nick Allegretti, OL, SR. Though not as long or possessing as much lateral range as the ideal pro prospect, Allegretti has a great anchor and he goes to the whistle on his blocks. His hand placement and punch are solid, and Allegretti has a thick, compact build. He will also knock the Wonderlic test out of the park.
Bennet Williams, DB, Soph. Right now, it’s all about tackling and aggressiveness against the run for Williams. He has the tools to be an all-around safety in the NFL, though, with good range and the ability to read and react. He has the speed to turn and close but needs to refine his man-to-man cover skills and ball awareness. Most of all, Williams has the kind of cockiness that you like from the quarterback of the defense.
Nate Hobbs, DB, Soph. Speed kills, and Hobbs can run with the best of them with tremendous catch-up speed. He fits best as a boundary corner in a Cover-2 scheme like Illinois runs, where he can use his size to shut down the flat. With a bit more work in the weight room, Hobbs will be able to jam receivers and funnel them to the inside. Scouts will notice that he’s a bit stiff in the hips, but overall Hobbs is a solid pro prospect.
Mike Dudek, WR, Sr. Though not quite the electric athlete that he was before a series of knee injuries, Dudek is still a water bug running his routes and he has vice grip hands. If you throw the ball near him, he’s going to haul it in. He also still possesses the elite body control that he displayed in his spectacular freshman season in 2014. Dudek needs to play a full season to prove to scouts that he can stay healthy and produce.
Vederian Lowe, OL, Soph. Going back to the summer before his senior season of high school, Lowe has made dramatic changes to his body and developed an uber-aggressive playing style. He’s moved ahead of Larry Boyd as a pro prospect at guard. Though not tremendously explosive, Lowe is a natural and fluid athlete who plays with strength and great leg drive at the point of contact. He still needs time to develop, but we see a draft pick in the making.
Calvin Avery, DL, Fr. We’re assuming a lot with this pick considering Avery hasn’t stepped on the field yet, but on film he was a wrecking ball at the high school level. Avery is the highest ranked recruit to sign with Illinois in the Lovie Smith era. With a low center of gravity and big-time burst, Avery could be the inside pass rusher that the Illini have been missing.
RANKINGS WEEK IS HERE
On Monday, Rivals reveals its final update to the 2018 Rivals150 basketball rankings.
On Wednesday, Rivals update the 2019 Rivals150 and on Friday will update and expand the 2020 top 75 to a top 100.
HARTLEB GETS WIN NO. 400
Congrats to Illinois baseball coach Dan Hartleb on securing his 400th win at Illinois on Sunday. He is now 400-289 at Illinois and his 400 career wins ranks third in Illinois history behind Lee Eilbracht’s 518 and Itch Jones’ 474. After a 23-28 season a year ago, the Illini are 23-8 this season.
