In the days leading up to the Rose Bowl, offensive coordinator Mike Locksley said one of his only worries was whether or not Illinois could match Southern Cal’s depth. He knew the Trojans were about three-deep at every position, and not just deep with warm bodies. They had talent lurking up and down the roster.
Illinois didn’t, but only because Ron Zook and has staff hadn’t had time to stack three or four recruiting classes on top of one another. Well, now they’ve added another. And the Illini football team became better Wednesday with the addition of a 29-player class that includes more serious in-roads into Washington, D.C., Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania and, of course, Illinois.
There were not many surpries, although offensive lineman Corey Lewis from Pennslyvania was a fairly late addition and people were nervous about Corey Liuget, who had taken visits after commiting to the Illini. And there was no cherry on the sundae, no spectacular splash with the addition of a running back like Jamie Harper, who picked Clemson.
Nevertheless, the latest additions (eight of which enrolled in January) is impressive. A great group of wide receivers, which includes Simeon’s Jack Ramsey, who I thought might start out at defensive back. Two good in-state running backs (Mikel LeShoure of Champaign Centennial and Jason Ford of Belleville Althoff). Some impressive linemen, including Graham Pocic of Lemont (who is in school and attended the Zook press conference on Wednesday) and some fine looking defensive backs.
What’s happened is that positive word of mouth from players in the Washington, D.C. area, Florida area, Ohio area and in-state are helping Zook with the recruiting push. Reggie Ellis, the defensive lineman from Washington, D.C., who is a part of this class, said hearing about Illinois from fellow D.C.ers Vontae Davis and Rejus Benn helped paint a picture for him. It helped sell Illinois when Zook or Mike Locksley weren’t around to do the selling.
The receiving position is really interesting. Not only does Zook add Cordale Scott from Cleveland, A.J. Jenkins from Jacksonville, Fla., University of Florida transfer Jarred Fayson and Ramsey, but he also gets back Chris James from injury. Zook said that might mean Brian Gamble will move back to defense, although that decision hasn’t been reached.
“You can never have too many wide receivers,” Zook said. “We still don’t have enough, although this helps.”
With Jeff Cumberland switching to wide receiver, it meant that Zook felt the need to get one or two tight ends who can contribute quickly, and he did with London Davis from Cahokia and Hubie Graham from Scranton, Pa.
If Juice Williams can continue to make progress as a passer, he’ll now be surrounded with speed at every wideout position. And based on the highlight films we watched Wednesday, these new receivers know what to do with the ball once they catch it. A stepped-up passing offense would help take the pressure off a running attack that no longer includes Rashard Mendenhall and a defense that will miss J Leman, Chris Norwell and some hard-hitting safeties.
I’m excited about a roster that is now piling up quality depth at every position. You should be, too.
February 6th, 2008 at 10:15 pm
Looking for your next break away vacation? No fear, Zook is here. Fly the friendly skies…..Zook airways.
February 7th, 2008 at 1:47 am
to bad we didn’t get the Harper kid from Trinity Catholic in Jax Fl. I have coached against on two occasions, he is for real. We keyed him with a rover back and he still had 3 touchdowns and 182 yards. I am kind of shocked he didn’t pick Illinois. Clemson already has two good running backs who will be juniors. I thought when he passed on Florida, Miami and florida State the Zooker had him.
February 7th, 2008 at 9:16 am
Gator, some folks just aren’t smart enough to know a great opportunity when it presents itself.
Bring on Football Season!!!!
February 7th, 2008 at 9:27 am
Wow, a college coach who understands the importance of recruiting. See that, Bruce Weber?
February 7th, 2008 at 9:41 am
What does the running back position look like for next fall? crk
February 7th, 2008 at 10:22 am
I’ve been an Illini football fan since 1980. We haven’t seen anything remotely like the consistent acquisition of talent that Zook has achieved. Neither White nor Mackovic came close. And it’s apparently done honestly and with integrity. I simply can’t wait for each ensuing season. Never thought I would say that about Illinois football.
February 7th, 2008 at 11:17 am
And it only took 4 posts to turn this football blog into a rail on Bruce blog. Ridiculous.
Outstanding effort by Zook. Illinois is going to be a formidable force in the football world for a long time with him at the helm. Kudos Zooker.
February 7th, 2008 at 11:45 am
I never thought I would be more enthused about my football tickets than basketball. Seriously, until IDKWTI plays tonight, I couldn’t give these tickets away. Zook is taking us places! ESPN rated our recruiting class 17th in the nation… just think if we would have got Harper… and people are saying that something could still happen in the spring. I just hope our freshmen can avoid hitting that wall I keep hearing soo much about.
February 7th, 2008 at 11:53 am
ckash, we will have Walter Mendenhall (probably limited carries), Pollard and Dufrene (most likely will get the majority of the offensive load), then two freshmen back, Ford (stud from Belleville) and LeShour. Should be fine, but no Rashard.
February 7th, 2008 at 11:59 am
Love what Zook has done (again)…
As one of the Talent-first crowd, I’m thrilled about the prospocts of our Football program with the inflex of talent we’re seeing (and the Basketball seems to be improving as well)..
One thing though that concerns about this class; I felt that we need to address the RB and LB positions, and reload with top-shelf talent; unless I’m missing something, this was not truly addressed in this class… I’m hopeful Zook & Co will be looking into that in ‘09.
——
Go Illini
February 7th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
If Zook turns the program around (and it appears as though he will) I doubt he’ll stay at Illlinois very long.
February 7th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
I agree Magoo I lot of “Chatty-Kathys.” You pull the string on the back of their neck and they keep repeating the same line, again, and again and again.:) crk
February 7th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
Mr. Tupper has hit the “nail on the head”! One of the criteria to becoming the “best” in college football is to have quality depth @ every position! I would like for Illinois football to have the same mantra as USC in that all starting positions are open & competition/excellence in practice/drills/games dictates playing time( & that there are several star players @ each position whom are constantly pushing each other toward the pursuit of excellence)!! Would that not be a nice “luxury” to have?? College football season can NOT arrive to SOON!!
February 7th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
Whatever became of the running back (Hodge??) from the Harrisburg PA area and a CT prep school????
February 7th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
FRG- Still waiting for something intelligent to come out of your mouth. Take a look at the long list of recruits Weber has coming in here before you open your mouth again. I think being quiet will actually make you sound more intelligent. Try it.
Congrats to Zook on another good class. It lacks the star player like last year, but overall, these kids rank higher. This gives us alot of quality depth, especially at wide receiver. I am amazed at our level of recruiting in both fb and bb. We might finally become the elite program we’ve all want Illinois to be. Go Illini!
February 7th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
Jeff (#11)… why do you think so? After all the agonizing labor he has endured don’t you think that he would like to stay and enjoy the fruits? He seems much different from a guy like Mackovic who was clearly on the make for a bigger stage. He’s in his early 50s and has a lot to prove after what happened at Florida. Just curious…
February 7th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
Jeff Clark - Why do you think he will leave? He is playing in a major conference and has the ability to compete for a national title due to the reputation the Big Ten holds.
February 7th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
Completely disagree with you Jeff. If you’ve been around this football program the past year, you’d realize Zook is very happy and comfortable here. He’s in a big time conference with a big time renovated stadium opening next year and is backed by a pretty financially strong athletic department. Don’t take your Bill Self transgressions out on Zook.
February 7th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
I think he’ll leave for a more prestigious (football) school and weather/climate a.k.a SEC. Let’s be honest, we would have never gotten him had he not been fired from Florida. You watch, a couple more seasons like last year (maybe just one) and he’ll leave. Anyone care to bet?
February 7th, 2008 at 2:13 pm
Hodge didn’t make the grades in high school. Welcome to prep school. Evidently not having learned his lesson, Hodge didn’t make the grades in prep school. Welcome to junior college…
February 7th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
Now, now, folks let’s keep it civil. After all we are Illini. At this point I am confident that our football program is on the up and up. On BB, we have historically been an elite program. Sure Bruce has had his down time. But the pipeline looks like it is getting decent. Bruce is an excellent coach who knows what to do with talent when he has it. I think Zook will help Weber. By the way do they consult on recruiting?
Tupps, how about some blogs on womens’ BB? How is Law doing in recruiting?
February 7th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
Kudos to Ron Zook & his staff. Go Illini!
February 7th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
Orange Grange - Hodge had problems with grades from what I’ve heard. Looks like he is going to have to go the JUCO route and the chatter is what we won’t have a shot at him once he becomes eligible.
February 7th, 2008 at 3:19 pm
BrooksTaylor: Ron Guenther, the football guy. 5 bowl games in 16 seasons. Is that intelligent enough for you?
February 7th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Loren Tate was quoted in indystar.com that he expects tonight’s crowd to exhibit “unsurpassed callousness” toward the Hoosiers.
Hopefully, this will rival Monday Night Football a few years back when Bears fans rocked the “bowels” of Memorial Statium during hafltime by chanting in unison “Packers Suck.”
Let’s make some noise tonight!!!!
February 7th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
Not so fast on W. Mendenhall. Rumor has it he won’t be in school next Fall…
February 7th, 2008 at 5:08 pm
I find the Zooksters comment that you can never have enough wide receivers to mean only on thing, a passing game. Otherwise why load up with so much talent/depth at the receiver position? I hope to see this offense air it up effectively this season. We,re going to need to with the tough road schedual we have for “08″. I don’t want to start the Juice vs McGee issue yet, but, buuuuut, you know what I,m sayin.
February 7th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
Jeff,
He already tried the SEC. Didn’t like it. Also, he’s been at like nine different schools over the past 15 years. I don’t think he’s going anywhere, actually.
February 7th, 2008 at 5:54 pm
FRG- I figured you knew by now that Guenther is our AD, not our football coach. That would be about as bad as blaming Guenther for Gordon backing out on us. Keep trying little guy.
Zook is turning a traditional basketball school into a football powerhouse. No reason to start all over again at an SEC school in a few years. He is very happy at Illinois. The constant rumor has been if he were to leave Illinois, it would probably be to the pros. Hodge has a lot of grade issues. I don’t see him ever wearing orange and blue, unless he plays for the Bears.
February 7th, 2008 at 10:54 pm
gee guys… one of these days our free throw shooting is gonna start costing us some games.
Day 1574 of Program Under Hostage