I realize there is still time left and this class can get even better (or worse with defections), but how is this class shaping up, historically? Looking back on previous Illinois classes, this is probably the best class since 2009, and either the 5th or 6th best class of the modern recruiting era. (since 2002 which is as far back as Rivals goes). The four classes of 2006-2009 where really spectacular. The problem was a fair number of those players either never made it to campus or washed out pretty quickly. I do not see that with this class. On paper, the 2003 class was ranked high and is probably "better" on paper than this class. But that class was top heavy whereas this class has more depth. So I rank it 5th best behind 2006-2009, but on paper 2003 is fifth..
I think it will end up being perhaps more productive than most of those classes. This class has significant depth. Even some of the two star players. One had top SEC offers and gave up football to concentrate on basketball, and then came back to football. One lost his entire junior year and summer to injury. Those are two stars by circumstance, not by talent. Those are the kind you want. Another two star was recently elevated after senior tape to a high ranked three star on Scout. Again probably a kid you want.
Lovie did this from scratch in less than a year. He wasn't a head coach somewhere else so he could steal the research or even the players from a previous school. He was completely out of the game. Yes, his assistances had some connections, I doubt we get Lawson without McGee's previous interactions. But for the most part, this staff put together a plan late and will deliver one of the best five classes of the modern era of Illinois football. And I will predict come August it will be a top three class for players that actually enroll in school.
That is a heck of a foundation. Now if in 2018 he can follow it up with an even better class, and I think he will, then Illinois is on the road to relevancy.
PS. We are currently 7th in the Bigten rankings and second in the west. I doubt we catch Nebraska and I would guess that Wisconsin passes us back (we shall see) but this is the type of class that if you combine it with similar classes, can win the west. Then we can recruit even better. I have no allusions of becoming Muck or OSU, but we can next.
We will win.
I think it will end up being perhaps more productive than most of those classes. This class has significant depth. Even some of the two star players. One had top SEC offers and gave up football to concentrate on basketball, and then came back to football. One lost his entire junior year and summer to injury. Those are two stars by circumstance, not by talent. Those are the kind you want. Another two star was recently elevated after senior tape to a high ranked three star on Scout. Again probably a kid you want.
Lovie did this from scratch in less than a year. He wasn't a head coach somewhere else so he could steal the research or even the players from a previous school. He was completely out of the game. Yes, his assistances had some connections, I doubt we get Lawson without McGee's previous interactions. But for the most part, this staff put together a plan late and will deliver one of the best five classes of the modern era of Illinois football. And I will predict come August it will be a top three class for players that actually enroll in school.
That is a heck of a foundation. Now if in 2018 he can follow it up with an even better class, and I think he will, then Illinois is on the road to relevancy.
PS. We are currently 7th in the Bigten rankings and second in the west. I doubt we catch Nebraska and I would guess that Wisconsin passes us back (we shall see) but this is the type of class that if you combine it with similar classes, can win the west. Then we can recruit even better. I have no allusions of becoming Muck or OSU, but we can next.
We will win.
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