The 90 Illini #72: The St. Anthony’s Video From The KFHB June 21, 2012
So when I started this series, I ranked 104 players – scholarship guys and walkons – who I thought might have a chance to find the field this fall. At #61 on that list was to be wide receiver Anthony Williams.
And then today, I found out that Williams has been dismissed from the team for a violation of team rules. Which means some time next weekend, I would have a countdown spot with no player to fill it. So here’s what I’ve decided to do.
From here through #61, I’ve moved everyone up one spot. Which makes #72 vacant. And for #72 on the list of Most Important Illini, I choose the piano jam session at the St. Anthony’s Center while the players were working at a soup kitchen the day before the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl. Having been in that room that day, and having witnessed how everyone – from the volunteers to the program participants to the St. Anthony’s staff – everyone was so thrilled at how the players joined in to sing with the piano player. It really was a special moment. I go back and watch this video at least once per month.
So I present to you, once again, Evan Wilson, Alex Hill, Kenny Knight, Chris Boles, and Donovonn Young in my favorite Illini moment of the past year.
I like the video, and obviously, you being there made it even more special to you. May I submit my #72 for the Most Important Illini:
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Aaron Bailey
Quarterback
6′-2″, 215 lbs.
Pre-Freshman (will be on scholarship, 1 year high school, then 5 years to play 4)
Bolingbrook HS / Bolingbrook IL
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ALE Ranking Last Year: NR
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What I Know About Him:
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“In the last 30 years, I think the order of “top-5 Illini QB recruits” goes like this:
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1. Jeff George
2. Juice Williams
3. Aaron Bailey
4. Nathan Scheelhaase
5. Jeff Hecklinski” (ALE “34 Minutes”)
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“I think he’s the perfect QB for this spread. I think he has enough arm that, although he doesn’t use it in high school, he can be groomed to be a fantastic college QB. I think he’s the best runner of any QB we’ve ever recruited in 120 some years of Illini football. I think he’ll have a 200 yard rushing game. Maybe several.
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And I think we can build an entire recruiting class around him. I think crazy-good in-state players might actually listen when we call. I think we might be able to land one of the top in-state tackles.” (ALE “34 Minutes”)
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He won the State Championship with Bolingbrook High School last year.
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What I Expect From Him:
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Another State Championship. Recruit, recruit, recruit. Bring more talent to Illinois, and keep more talent in Illinois. He could lead a huge turn around in recruiting and in the Illinois football program. Bringing more talent in for him to work with only benefits him, so recruit, recruit, recruit.
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Oh, and stay committed.
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Hope it meets your approval.
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Long live the Chief.
Geez, Louise! Robert veers off for a second and you put him right back on task with player evaluation….
Thanks for reposting the video. A very good reflection of the team.