Illinois Recruiting Snapshot: September 2014

Tag: Illinois

4Sep 2014
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Illinois Recruiting Snapshot: September 2014

Gabe Megginson is Illinois’ top-rated recruit for 2014

Team: Illinois
Commits: 13
Star breakdown (according to 247 Composite): 4-stars (1), 3-stars (10), 2-stars (2)
Team recruiting ranking (according to 247 Composite): #50 as of September 3, 2014

Cream of the crop: Jacksonville (IL) Jacksonville offensive tackle Gabe Megginson is the Illini’s lone 4-star, and Illinois defeated teams like Arkansas, Miami, Michigan State, Nebraska, Penn State, and Wisconsin for his verbal. He plays high at times, but he’s a nasty blocker who drives his feet relentlessly. DeKalb (IL) DeKalb running back Dre Brown is a solidly built downhill back with good speed, and I like how he fits with the current Illinois offense.

Needs: Defense. Chicago (IL) Hales Franciscan strong safety Patrick Nelson is the only current commit on the defensive side of the ball.

Overall: Illinois is taking the mid-major approach of pulling in a lot of players who played in junior colleges, community colleges, prep schools, etc. In theory, this will temporarily prop them up with physically – and perhaps mentally – mature players, allowing them to win and then improve their high school recruiting. This has worked well for teams like Kansas State and Cal, plus some schools in the SEC. It is not a common practice in the Big Ten. They have a couple solid players in the class, but overall, it does not seem like a group that will help launch this team into the top third of the conference.

15Oct 2012
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Michigan vs. Illinois Awards

Thomas Rawls (#38)

Let’s see more of this guy on offense . . . Thomas Rawls.  Rawls had 9 carries for 90 yards, including a 63-yard touchdown run late in the game.  Granted, it was late in the game and Illinois had given up, but he still showed some nice speed when he got to the sideline.  Fitzgerald Toussaint just can’t seem to get going, and while I’m not sure that Toussaint should be benched, Rawls is looking more and more deserving of a chance to earn carries.

Let’s see less of this guy on offense . . . Russell Bellomy.  The offense really seemed to be limited when he entered the game early.  Here’s hoping that Denard Robinson can heal from that hand injury and stay healthy for the rest of the season.  I’d prefer not to see Bellomy until Michigan is blowing out the opponent.

Let’s see more of this guy on defense . . . Marvin Robinson.  Jordan Kovacs seems to be nursing a bit of an injury, and Robinson was flying around the field when he entered the game.  Kovacs played well and Illinois never really tested the safeties, but Robinson seems quite capable of supporting the run.  Hopefully Robinson is to the point where he can spell Kovacs a little bit, because someone needs to be groomed for the starting spot once Kovacs graduates.

Let’s see less of this guy on defense . . . nobody.  The defense allowed 134 yards and gave up zero points.  The only thing that really bugged me on “defense” was Josh Furman’s moronic personal foul when he ran into the punt returner way too early, but Furman rarely plays defense, anyway.

Play of the game . . . Denard Robinson’s 49-yard touchdown run.  It was a thing of beauty.  He danced around the tackles of about four guys and then exploded down the left sideline.  It was especially fun to watch Illinois defensive tackle Glenn Foster “fall” while chasing him because he knew that chasing Denard would be a waste of energy.

MVP of the game . . . Denard Robinson once again.  He was 7/11 passing for 159 yards and 2 touchdowns.  He also ran the ball 11 times for 128 yards and 2 touchdowns.  Most importantly, he didn’t turn over the ball.  When he temporarily got hurt early in the game, the offense bogged down and the entire fan base got scared, including me.  This team will really struggle if he’s unavailable.