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Post by huisrealgood on Mar 25, 2008 15:55:11 GMT -5
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Post by huisrealgood on Apr 2, 2008 15:32:52 GMT -5
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Post by huisrealgood on Apr 13, 2008 23:31:32 GMT -5
Here's something I saw on the Illini message boards today. It's always nice to read stuff like this about the players you root for.
Just thought I would share this with everyone. I was at Jupiters this afternoon with my 9 yr old and 5 yr old sons. Some of the players were in there. My 9 yr old son asked Juice to play airhockey with him and he was more than happy too, even let my son win. I believe it was Chris James that gave my 5 yr old son a bunch of prize tickets to use. He walked over to our table and asked if he would like them, ofcourse he said yes. One more thing, Benn was also there, so my 9 yr old went and told him that we had named our dog after him. Benn had a big smile and laughed. Just thought it was great to see them that nice and willing to play with kids. Pretty cool considering my 9 yr old will be starting his 5th yr of fb this fall, and my 5 yr old will be in his first year. It made their day.
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Post by Kyle Feller on Apr 14, 2008 15:06:45 GMT -5
National top 250 player DJ Hunter (Defensive Back) has narrowed his final two down to:
Ohio State and Indiana
He is from Middletown, OH so this doesn't bode well or Indiana. The reason I put it in this thread is because he is also on the scholarship offer list from Illinois.
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Post by huisrealgood on Apr 15, 2008 8:49:02 GMT -5
I wouldn't put much stock in those "offer lists." I don't know whether the Illini have offered him, but they sure haven't been recruiting him much, so please keep your Loosier garbage elsewhere.
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Post by Kyle Feller on Apr 15, 2008 8:54:46 GMT -5
I guess Illinois is only recruiting kids in the top 25 now.
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Post by huisrealgood on Apr 19, 2008 16:11:42 GMT -5
Well I just got back from the Illini spring game today. Here are some thoughts:
When I arrived in the parking lot, a van from Chicago Leo High School pulled up and two of the players committed to the Illini for 2009, Leon Hill and Lendell Buckner popped out. I shook their hands and chatted with them for a few minutes. They both seemed like nice guys and they were both enormous! I am 6'4 215 lbs. and these guys both dwarfed me. Hill has 3 inches and over 100 lbs. on me.
As for the game...
Juice looked sharp. He had a few overthrows, but overall he played really well.
Chris Duvalt, a DB turned WR and a junior to be from Florida had some very impressive catches and returns. He has a lot of speed and could be a valuable asset next year.
Florida transfer Jarred Fayson returned a kick for a TD and had some nice catches. He will join a loaded WR core in '09 when he becomes eligible again.
The Illini defense scares me a bit. The D-line is as deep and talented as it has ever been, and the CB's are solid. However, the linebackers outside of Brit Miller lack experience and we have little to no experience at the saftey position. Hopefully the incoming freshmen and transfers will push the incumbents but it could get ugly if we can't get to the QB.
The RB position is also going to be a trouble spot. Neither Dufrene or Leshoure looked particularly good today. However, Troy Pollard should be back to full strength this summer and Jason Ford will be coming in. It will definitely be RB by committee next season.
Overall, I like this team, but it definitely has holes. I think they could be as good as 9-3, but 7-5 or 8-4 is a much more realistic expectation.
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Post by Formerbruin on Apr 19, 2008 22:45:07 GMT -5
When you come for Noon Hoops you are on my team.
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Post by huisrealgood on Apr 21, 2008 13:33:34 GMT -5
Melvin Fellows is up to #29 on the Rivals 100. Ohio State has really turned up the heat on Melvin, but something tells me he'll stay true to his commitment. Also #39 Kevin Newsome is a QB prospect from Virginia that was at the Illini spring game. The Illini will have a good shot at him as well as #34 Marcus Hall, #52 Chris Watt, #57 Ronnie Wingo, #68 Eric Shrive, #78 Kraig Appleton, #79 David Oku, and #82 Craig Drummond. I think it's safe to say Appleton, Shrive, and Wingo will all be Illini with a 50/50 shot at Watt and Oku. illinois.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=799810
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Post by Kyle Feller on Apr 21, 2008 13:46:11 GMT -5
How are they going to be able to pay all of those studs under the salary cap?
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Post by huisrealgood on Apr 21, 2008 14:09:10 GMT -5
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Post by Kyle Feller on Apr 21, 2008 14:36:39 GMT -5
He was too expensive.
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Post by 4ever4ester on Apr 21, 2008 18:10:12 GMT -5
Kevin Newsome looks like a solid player. I'm really hoping Michigan can pull him in.
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Post by ace on Apr 22, 2008 11:27:00 GMT -5
Kevin Newsome looks like a solid player. I'm really hoping Michigan can pull him in. Here is to hoping they don't.
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Post by huisrealgood on Apr 22, 2008 22:41:45 GMT -5
Illinois got another commit today... from a 2010 recruit! Blue-chip DB from Proviso East Corey Cooper has already committed to the Illini after attending their spring game last Saturday! All very early indications are that this kid is an absolute stud. He already had offers from Michigan State and Illinois as well as having heavy interest from Notre Dame, Wisconsin, and Colorado. Pretty impressive for a kid who is finishing up his sophomore year of high school. illinois.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?Sport=1&pr_key=82549
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