(Yo Gabba Weber. Yep. Entering Year Four, and I just ran with Yo Gabba Weber.)

Here’s how these posts work.  Because I’m OCD for the Illini, I watch all of the recruits on tape throughout the year.   In the Signing Day Breakdown, I give you my opinion on each player.  And I rank them in categories: Instant Impact Players, Great Gets, Recruits I’m Excited About But Can’t Really Tell You Why, Recruits I’m Not That Excited About But Can’t Really Tell You Why, and Recruits I Just Don’t Know Much About.  Since this is the 4th of these, let’s see how I did with the 2009 class:

Instant Impact Players: Terry Hawthorne
Great Gets: Nathan Scheelhaase, Lendell Buckner, Justin Green, Michael Buchanan
Excited About, Can’t Tell You Why: Walt Aikens, Eric Watts, Steve Hull, Hugh Thornton, Bud Golden
Not Excited About, Can’t Tell You Why: Leon Hill, Justin Lattimore, Greg Fuller, Jake Feldmeyer
Don’t Know Enough To Make A Judgement Call: Darryl Lee, Aaron Gress, Andrew Carter, Tommie Hopkins, Tim Kynard, Joelil Thrash, and Akeem Spence.

I was doing so well until that very last name, wasn’t I?

Before I get in to this class, three general thoughts:

1) This is probably our lowest ranked class in about 10 years.  And I really don’t fault Tim Beckman one bit.  This class was ranked last in the Big Ten when he took over, and he’s done the best he can in the last 6 weeks to scrape together a full recruiting class.  As I said a few weeks ago, he gets a Get Out Of Jail Free card with this one.

2) This class proves that recruiting is about relationships.  Of the 10 players that he brought in for his first class at Illinois, 6 of them were guys he was actively recruiting at Toledo.  Knowing his limitations with a 6 week timeline, I’m guessing he targeted guys from his Toledo list who he felt could play in the Big Ten.  That’s all good and fine for this class, but next year, he has to develop those relationships with what looks like the best in-state class in years.

3) Hello Cleveland.  Rock and roll.  Beckman grew up in Berea, Ohio (suburb of Cleveland), and 5 of the 10 recruits he added to this class are within a 30 minute drive of Berea.  Remember how Zook had a high concentration of players from Jacksonville, Florida (Disch) and Washington DC (Locksley)?  It looks like the main area where Beckman will try to get plugged in is Cleveland.

OK – to the list.

INSTANT IMPACT PLAYERS

TaJarvis Fuller (3-star on Rivals, 3-star on ESPN, 3-star on Scout)
Safety/Linebacker
Fort Meyers, FL (Dunbar)
Best offers: Georgia Tech, Louisville, Wisconsin, UCLA

The biggest reason I think TaJarvis will be an instant impact player: he’s already in school.  He’s one of two recruits in this class (Daniel Rhodes is the other) to enroll early, so he’ll get a head start on learning Tim Banks’ defense in the spring.  Another reason: if he can play strong safety, he might play right away.

Watching his film, he probably projects as a linebacker type.  He was a Zook recruit, and I believe Vic Koenning had designs on making him a Busseybacker.  There’s been a lot of talk that Beckman’s defenses have always had a “star” linebacker (more or less a Busseybacker – half safety, half linebacker), so it’s possible that Fuller could end up there.  But part of me still wants him as a big-hittin’ Kevin Mitchell safety.

ALE Projection: These projections will be hard this year, mostly because we don’t know the specifics of the schemes yet.  So I’ll go out on a limb and say that Banks’ defense has room for a linebackery safety, and Fuller gets some minutes backing up Supo Sanni.

Here’s Fuller when he signed with Illinois:

GREAT GETS

TJ Neal (3-star on Rivals, 3-star on ESPN, 3-star on Scout)
Linebacker
McKeesport, PA
Best Offers: Auburn, Florida, Nebraska, USC

Of all the players I reviewed, Neal probably looks the best on tape.  You know how some linebackers just seem to toy with the offensive lineman getting to the second level that are trying to block them?  How they kind of keep them at arms length until they’re ready to shed them and make the tackle?  That’s what I love about Neal.  He shed’s his block and wraps up – looks like he’s had good coaching in high school.

But I’m putting him down here and not in “Instant Impact Players” because we’re just fine at linebacker next year.  Jonathan Brown in the middle, Houston Bates (and maybe Henry Dickinson) one one side, Ashante Williams (or maybe Earnest Thomas or Zeph Grimes) on the other.  So I think Neal is coming in and trying to fight Ralph Cooper for backup middle linebacker.

ALE Projection: No redshirt, special teams player, a few spot minutes at middle linebacker.  But in the future, I think he’s Jonathan Brown’s replacement.

Dami Ayoola (3-star on Rivals, 3-star on ESPN, 3-star on Scout)
Running Back
Ft. Lauderdale, FL (St. Thomas Aquinas)
Best Offers: Notre Dame, Auburn, Wisconsin, West Virginia

I know you’re wondering – it’s pronounced “Dommy Uh-YOO-luh”.  And he comes from the top high school program in the country (St. Thomas Aquinas in Fort Lauderdale).  I thought we’d lose him to Notre Dame, and I was certain that he would decommit – he verballed to Illinois only 2 days before Zook was fired – but in the end, even though it appeared he might go to Boston College, he stuck with Illinois.

Ayoola is an interesting little tailback.  He’s short (5′-9″ or so), but he’s not a scatback.  He’s more of a power runner, with thick legs and a powerful drive.  The thing I like best about him is his change of direction.  He has that quick hop to the left or right to avoid a tackler that Pierre Thomas has.  It will be interesting to see how we use him.  Next year, Donovonn Young is the power back and Josh Ferguson is the scatback, but Ayoola will probably get carries as well.  He’s 5′-9″, but I think we use him more like Young than Ferguson.

ALE Projection: We need three tailbacks, so one of the freshmen will play.  I’m guessing Ayoola is the guy.  I think he’ll be 4th on the team in rushing next fall, behind Scheelhaase, Young, and Ferguson.

V’Angelo Bentley (3-star on Rivals, 3-star on Scout, not rated by ESPN)
Cornerback
Cleveland, OH (Glenville)
Best Offers: Iowa, Pittsburgh, Kansas, Air Force

He’s not ranked as high as some of these other guys, and he doesn’t have the offers that the players above have, but I might be more excited about Bentley than any other player in this class.  We need cornerbacks so very badly, and I think this kid can be a great one.  Go watch some of his highlights from this video to see what I’m talking about.  It’s 14 minutes long, so just skip to the 2:10 mark and watch all of his highlights from the game that Glenville played at Ohio State’s stadium.  Punt return for a touchdown, fumble return for a touchdown, and several great runs (he was a tailback in high school but projects as a corner in college).

I’m a huge fan of high school tailbacks at cornerback (see: Green, Justin).  And with Green and Hawthorne set to graduate next year, we’ll have openings for starters at both cornerback spots.  I’m guessing Bentley will hold down one of those spots in 2013.

ALE Projection: I don’t think he redshirts.  I think he’s our 3rd or 4th corner next year, and a starter in 2013. That’s probably putting too much on a kid who only had 4 or 5 BCS offers, but I really like his film.  And his high school.  And his hat.

Teko Powell (3-star on Rivals, 3-star on ESPN, 2-star on Scout)
Defensive Tackle
Miami, FL (Norland)
Best Offers: Florida, Florida State, LSU, Wisconsin

I see a theme developing.  It’s called “recruit guys from high school powerhouse programs”.  Ayoola is from St. Thomas Aquinas.  Bentley from Cleveland Glenville.  And Powell is from Miami Norland.  These are high schools that produce multiple FBS athletes every single year, so I’m glad that Beckman’s staff is targeting the factories.

Powell fits a big need – we’re pretty short on defensive tackles once Glenn Foster graduates and Akeem Spence possibly leaves for the NFL (something I think he does after next season).  We have Jake Howe and Austin Teitsma, and I think redshirt freshman Chris O’Connor might play some DT, but that’s it.  So getting a good DT from a good program with a great offer list is a big win.

ALE Projection: I still think he redshirts, though.  Next year, we’ll have Spence and Foster starting with Howe and Teitsma backing them up – I think Powell redshirts and adds some weight to his current +/- 280 pounds (ESPN lists him at 250 pounds).

RECRUITS I’M EXCITED ABOUT BUT CAN’T REALLY TELL YOU WHY

LaKeith Walls (3-star on Rivals, 2-star on ESPN, 3-star on Scout)
Running Back / Athlete
Cleveland, OH (Rhodes)
Best Offers: Iowa, Louisville, NC State, Pittsburgh

All Cleveland all the time.  That’s a theme you’ll see in this class and hopefully the next eight.  Our head coach is more plugged-in in Cleveland than any other city, so that’s where we’ll recruit the hardest.

Walls is an interesting prospect.  He doesn’t go to one of the football factory schools in Cleveland, so he’s a little off the radar, but I feel like we found a steal.  He’s maybe too tall for a running back but has many long runs on his film.  And he runs kind of weird (upright with shoulders moving), but he’s deceptively fast.  So my hope is that he finds his way to safety, learns some technique, and then uses that speed to blow up receivers over the middle.

And, of course, by “blow up” I simply mean “gently help to the ground within the rules of football”.

ALE Projection: Tried at tailback, sitting behind Young, Ferguson, and Ayoola, switches to safety as a redshirt freshman, blows people up starting in 2014.

Vontrell Williams (3-star on Rivals, 3-star on ESPN, 3-star on Scout)
Defensive Tackle
Chicago, IL (Mt. Carmel)
Best Offers: Michigan State, Kansas, Indiana

All Chicago all the time.  If we’re going to get plugged in with Cleveland Glenville and Miami Norland, let’s get in good with Mt. Carmel as well.  And if we’re going to get in good with Mt. Carmel, why not bring in an athletic defensive tackle who can move a little bit?

I really like Williams on film, and I have no idea why he only had 3 other BCS offers.  He’s big, strong, and surprisingly mobile.  I think he challenges for playing time in 2013.

ALE Projection: Redshirt for strength, he and Powell push Teitsma and Howe for playing time in 2013.

Joseph Spencer (3-star on Rivals, 3-star on ESPN, 3-star on Scout)
Center/Guard
Mason, OH
Best Offers: Cincinnati, NC State, South Florida

I really like this guy.  I like what some of the talent evaluators at Rivals had to say.  I like that he finishes blocks on film.  I like that he projects as a center.  I like that he’s an offensive lineman from Ohio, because for some reason, in my head, offensive linemen from Ohio are 31% better than offensive linemen from any other state.

ALE Projection: Redshirt for strength (duh), and then he’s immediately in the competition with Jake Feldmeyer and Tony Durkin for the starting center position after Graham Pocic graduates next year.

Devin Church (3-star on Rivals, 2-star on ESPN, 3-star on Scout)
Running Back
Bloomfield, MI (Brother Rice)
Best Offers: Boston College, NIU, Toledo

Flipped him from NIU, so he’s automatically going to be as diamond-in-the-rough as Jon Asamoah, another player we flipped from the Huskies.  And I like him on film – great vision.  If you’ve read this blog for long, you know I’m a sucker for great vision.  What made Mikel Leshoure great in my book was his ability to see a hole before it was there.  And run full speed at that spot until it appeared.  And then make one extra cut once he got through that hole.  I see some of that in Church’s film.  Does he have the physical skills to make it work?  We’ll see.

I’m also working on some Rick Reilly-ish quips for Church in a few years.  Stuff like “CALL ME SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST BECAUSE I LIKE CHURCH ON SATURDAYS”.  It’s gonna be epic(ally bad).

ALE Projection: I’m 50-50 on Church redshirting.  If Ayoola can be our #3 tailback, then yes, I think Church redshirts.  But there’s a chance he plays.  There’s also a chance that all three tailbacks work out and we move Church to corner (like Justin Green).

RECRUITS I’M NOT THAT EXCITED ABOUT BUT CAN’T REALLY TELL YOU WHY

Ryan Frain (2-star on Rivals, 2-star on ESPN, 3-star on Scout)
Kicker
Indianapolis, IN (Scecina)
Best Offers: Georgia Tech

I always have to begin players listed in this category with a giant NO DISRESPECT disclaimer. I’m simply calling it like I see it. And this one I don’t get.

Yes, we lost Derek Dimke. But at kicker, we have Nick Immekus. And Taylor Zalewski. And Baron Von Mieghem. And Patrick Dunn. Out of those four we can’t find a solid kicker? To the point where we had to use a scholarship to get one?  I don’t get it.

(This means Frain will win the job and kick a 59 yarder to beat Northwestern)

(Just kidding. No chance we’d need a last-second field goal to beat Fitzee)

BJ Bello (2-star on Rivals, 2-star on Scout, not evaluated by ESPN)
Safety
New Lenox, IL (Lincoln Way West)
Best Offers: Toledo, Western Michigan, Bowling Green, Ball State

We do need safeties.  But I’m not sure if we need safeties who we flipped from Western Michigan.  Sorry, BJ, nothing personal, but the word “Western” followed by the word “Michigan” makes me flinch.  So while I’m glad you chose the orange and blue over that awful school from Kalamazoo, I’m still gonna keep one eye on you, because there’s a 17% chance you’re a Western Michigan spy.

Mason Monheim (3-star on Rivals, 2-star on ESPN, 3-star on Scout)
Linebacker
Orrville, OH
Best Offers: the entire MAC conference (seriously – 11 offers, 10 from the MAC and one from Illinois)

We need linebackers?  I didn’t know we needed linebackers.  After TJ Neal and Tajarvis Fuller, I kinda thought we didn’t need any more linebackers.  With BadNewsBrown and RBOBK (Houston Bates) and Dickinson and Cooper and Zeph Grimes and Earnest Thomas, I thought we were pretty set at linebacker.  Add Neal and Fuller to that mix, and I’m surprised we also added Monheim and…

Mike Svetina (3-star on Rivals, 2-star on ESPN, 2-star on Scout)
Linebacker
Cleveland, OH (St. Ignatius)
Best Offers: Syracuse, Air Force, Toledo

We need linebackers?  Gosh, I’m being unfair here.  Monheim and Svetina could be J Leman and Brit Miller, and here I am claiming there’s no room at the inn.

Wait – Svetina is in the 6′-2″/6′-3″ range, right?  Any chance we can bulk him up and move him to defensive end?  We can? GOOD.  I’m on board.  Welcome Mike Svetina.

RECRUITS I JUST DON’T KNOW THAT MUCH ABOUT

Robbie Bain (3-star on Rivals, 2-star on ESPN, 3-star on Scout)
Guard/Center
Bolingbrook, IL
Best Offers: Colorado State, Western Michigan, Bowling Green

I get to use this once per year, so I’m choosing to use it here: Offensive linemen are a crapshoot.  2-star guys go to the NFL, 4-star guys never find the field.  So with many offensive linemen recruits, I don’t pay much attention.  Redshirt, get stronger, understudy, let’s see what you got in 2014.

Daniel Rhodes (2-star on Rivals, unknown, unknown)
Tight End
Charlotte, NC (Independence)
Best Offers: can’t remember

Totally forgot about Rhodes. He was one of the guys that was on our committed list last year right up until signing day, and then he and Hunter Wells went elsewhere (Wells eventually ended up at Miami, FL, and Rhodes disappeared). Well, as of today, he’s back. And I can’t remember anything about him besides thinking “maybe he’ll grow into a left tackle” last year.

Taylor Barton (3-star on Rivals, 2-star on ESPN, 2-star on Scout)
Safety
Orlando, FL (Lake Highland)
Best Offers: Syracuse, Temple, Ball State

We need safeties.  He’s a safety.  That’s all I got.  His offer list isn’t strong, but he’s a defensive back from Florida, so that makes me happy.  Given the numbers issues, he might find the field sooner rather than later.

Jevaris Little (3-star on Rivals, 2-star on Scout, not evaluated by ESPN)
Cornerback
St. Petersburg, FL (Lakewood)
Best Offers: Indiana, Kansas, Toledo

This one came down to Illinois and Indiana, with Illinois coming out on top.  The good news: he’s a defensive back from Florida.  The bad news: this one came down to Illinois or Indiana.

Justin Hardee (2-star on Rivals, 2-star on Scout, not evaluated by ESPN)
Wide Receiver
Cleveland, OH (Glenville)
Best Offers: Toledo, Bowling Green, Ohio

There’s that Cleveland word again.  How many Browns fans can one team recruit?  Hardee is a teammate of Bentley and projects as a wide receiver.  But given his size and athleticism, I want him at safety.

Jason Robertson (2-star on Rivals, 3-star on ESPN, 3-star on Scout)
Wide Receiver
Frankfort, IL (Lincoln Way East)
Best Offers: Western Michigan (his only other listed offer)

Every year, there’s a guy in the class that I should pay more attention to but don’t. For whatever reason. It was Akeem Spence in 2009 – I was all fired up about the late flip of Justin Green from Ohio State to Illinois that I didn’t pay attention to a defensive tackle from Florida who committed late. This year, it’s Robertson. Scout and ESPN both list him as one of our top-5 recruits. Why would I more or less ignore an in-state receiver listed highly like that?

I promise to do better next year. And I’ll go watch more of his film later and maybe come back and edit this.

FINAL THOUGHTS

It is now time to DO. WORK.  As of right… NOW the grace period for Tim Beckman’s recruiting is over.  He found some nice pieces in the last 6 weeks, fought off some other suitors for guys like Ayoola and Powell, and filled some needs last minute with guys like Bentley.

But now – as in, right now – it is time to DO. WORK.  The 2013 class in-state keeps looking better by the day.  Guys like Ty Issac and Logan Tuley Tillman already look like 5-star possibilities.  Aaron Bailey MUST be our quarterback of the future.  We need top-end talent and soon.  At the high point of his recruiting, I believe Ron Zook had 19 four-star players on his roster at the beginning of 2009.  After the final whistle next November in Evanston, we’ll be down to one (Nathan Scheelhaase) for 2013.  One.

You can’t win 8 games in the Big Ten with one blue chipper.  You just can’t.  So it it imperative that Tim Beckman bring in talent talent talent in 2013.

OK, I can’t close with that.  The label for the 2012 class can’t be “hope we get some blue chippers in 2013″.  Guys like Teko Powell, TJ Neal, and Dami Ayoola could have named their school, and they picked Illinois.  Welcome, gentlemen.  Time for you to be the class that builds the foundation for the new era of Illini Football.  Where every other player is a linebacker.

The second was my football signing day breakdown in 2009.  That’s the first post that I emailed to a few friends to say “hey, I started that blog thing I’ve always talked about.”  Because I mark that as the anniversary of this site, I feel obligated to crank it up a notch each year.  Last year, my post was twice as long.  This year, I’m going for broke.  Everything you wanted to know about this recruiting class and more.  And then a little more.

INSTANT IMPACT PLAYERS:

Dondi Kirby (4-star on Rivals, 4-star on ESPN, 3-star on Scout)
Safety
Monroeville, PA

We’re probably pretty fortunate that he tore his ACL last June. Because if he hadn’t, I don’t think he’d be heading to Champaign. We never get athletic, rangy, tall safeties at Illinois. Because if they’re athletic and tall and rangy, they’re usually headed to Florida or USC. Just like Kirby likely was before he tore his ACL during a summer camp. Because of that, he missed his senior season. Because of that, the big programs that had offered him (like Florida and USC and Ohio State and Michigan and dozens of others) apparently backed off a bit. He took two visits in December (Iowa and Illinois) and settled on Illinois. Smart kid.

His signing probably has Vic Koenning doing backflips today. Koenning has said he wants 5 safeties and 5 cornerbacks in the rotation every game, and he just didn’t have the players to do that last year. If Kirby’s knee is ahead of schedule, he might find the rotation this fall.

ALE Projection: I’ll go conservative and say that he’ll redshirt to make sure his knee is 100% rehabbed. He’ll then back up Supo Sanni for a year before starting at safety for the 2013, 2014, and 2015 seasons.

Clint Tucker (3-star on Rivals, 3-star on ESPN, 3-star on Scout)
Defensive Tackle
East St. Louis, IL

I read somewhere that he still had work to do to qualify. I certainly hope that was just a rumor. The biggest void on the current roster is at defensive tackle after Corey Liuget jumped to the NFL. Where will we look to fill that void? The two redshirt freshmen (Austin Teitsma and Jake Howe) and Clint Tucker.

Tucker was once a Kentucky commit, but he found himself Zooked at the beginning of September. He had a successful senior season (before his team was kicked out of the playoffs for having an ineligible player). Tucker made the NUC Gridiron Classic (high school all-star game) where he reportedly performed well against top competition. He’s already huge (close to 300 lbs.), so my main concern is that he gets too huge. If he can add more muscle to his giant frame, he could be a really special player as an upperclassman.

ALE Projection: If qualified, I think he cracks the two-deep next year, backing up Akeem Spence. I think Spence and Glenn Foster start, with Austin Teitsma backing up Foster and Clint Tucker backing up Spence. Ultimately, I’d love to play Spence and Tucker next to each other, but I think they both project for the same tackle spot.

Darrius Caldwell (3-star on Rivals, 4-star on ESPN, 3-star on Scout)
Defensive End / Bandit
Atlanta, GA

Georgia Tech stole Illinois commit Tyler Marcordes in December. We returned the favor by stealing Caldwell away from Georgia Tech in January. How did we do it? My guess – we convinced him that Koenning’s bandit position was perfect for a smaller defensive end such as himself. Because it is.

My hope is that Caldwell starts at Bandit and then grows into a defensive end (the same as my hope for Justin Staples next year). Vic Koenning might not agree, but I want our bandits to grow into defensive ends and our linebackers to grow into bandits. Athletes athletes everywhere.

ALE Projection: If qualified (I hate throwing “if qualified” around again, but until the rumors settle and reports surface that Tucker and Caldwell are fully qualified, I’ll remain nervous), I think Caldwell sees a Brandon Denmark level of on-the-field play next fall. Special teams, a few plays here and there at Bandit, a few plays here and there as a rush linebacker.

Jon Davis (3-star on Rivals, 4-star on ESPN, 4-star on Scout)
Athlete
Louisville, KY

Coffee is for closers. Ron Zook gets coffee. Last Wednesday or Thursday, amid reports from Kentucky sites that Davis had decided to stick with Kentucky, Ron Zook got the final in-home visit. And when Davis announced for the Illini this afternoon, Ron Zook drank some coffee and bench-pressed a secretary. Big, athletic kid that could probably play anywhere from tailback to defensive end, Davis is probably on his way to being Paul Petrino’s favorite new toy.

I talked a lot last spring about the Petrino H-Back position. Part tight end, part fullback, part awesome. And then this fall, we didn’t really utilize the position except to add an extra tight end blocker (like Eddie Viliunas in the Northwestern game). My guess is that Zach Becker’s injury, combined with Evan Wilson’s true tight end-ness and Jay Prosch’s true fullback-ness, led us to not use a playmaker at the H-back position. Enter Davis. Probably this fall.

ALE Projection: Davis is 2011′s Evan Wilson: freshman who plays a huge role in the offense. Plue 12 catches. And a few carries. Ah, what the heck – and one pass.

Justin DuVernois (2-star on Rivals, 2-star on ESPN, 2-star on Scout)
Punter
Fort Lauderdale, FL

If this is the “impact players” category, he really should be at the top. Because he’s probably the most important recruit on this list.

Faced with a graduating punter and only two freshmen walk-ons on the roster, Zook decided to offer a scholarship to a punter. Duvernois comes from a great high school – they place a kicker or punter at a BCS school every year (the kid who kicked the winning field goal in the NCAA championship game – Wes Bynum – was a St. Thomas Aquinas kicker). DuVernois had a solid outing in his final game, too: 41 yard average and 3 of 5 punts downed inside the 20 in the Florida State Championship game.

ALE Projection: Starting punter vs. Arkansas State on Labor Day weekend (SO glad I don’t have to say “against Missouri” any more).

Zeph Grimes (3-star on Rivals, 3-star on ESPN, 3-star on Scout)
Safety
Bamburg, SC

He’s the “I just have a really good feeling about him” recruit of the 2011 class for me. Solid offer list (Michigan State, Arkansas, Ole Miss) that would have gotten better, in my opinion, had he not committed in April. Great high school program, solid measurables, and, most importantly, a Vic Koenning hand-picked safety prospect.

The players listed above are probably all certain freshman contributors. Grimes is not. But I’m putting him up here because it just feels right. Zeph Grimes – 2011 Camp Rantoul Camp Crush clubhouse leader.

ALE Projection: I’m going to wishcast him into Tavon Wilson’s eventual replacement. One (true freshman) year in a backup role, one year splitting starters minutes, 2 years as a solid starter at safety.

GREAT GETS

Pat Flavin (3-star on Rivals, 3-star on ESPN, 3-star on Scout)
Offensive Tackle
Lisle, IL

Probably our left weakside tackle of the future. Ok, I’ll be bolder: our left weakside tackle of the future. Maybe as early as 2012, although I see a scenario where Corey Lewis slides over to the left weakside in 2012 after a year at right strongside tackle in 2011.  Regardless, I’m really excited about Flavin.  6′-7″ and agile – everything you want in a weakside tackle.

ALE Projection: Oops – I already covered that.

Reilly O’Toole (3-star on Rivals, 3-star on ESPN, 3-star on Scout)
Quarterback
Wheaton, IL

OK, I’ll be honest. I should be much more excited about O’Toole than I am. 71% completion percentage on 262 passes totaling 3,187 yards and 42 touchdowns against only 3 interceptions as a senior, and I’m still on the fence? What is wrong with me?

Numbers – that’s what is wrong with me. O’Toole played for the best program in the state, 2-time defending state champ Wheaton Warrenville South. And any time a QB puts up gaudy numbers playing for a top program, I get scared. Is it the QB, or is it the top offense in the state? It’s probably both, and I should probably shut up, but I’m still concerned. Regardless, when Rivals moved him from the 25th best Pro-style QB prospect to the 8th best Pro-style QB prospect last week, I felt pretty good. The kid’s really good. Probably.

ALE Projection: Starting QB for the Illini in 2014 and 2015. To accomplish that, he’ll need to redshirt this fall. Redshirt, 2 years as a backup, 2 years as a star.

Chris Boles (3-star on Rivals, 3-star on ESPN, 3-star on Scout)
Offensive Guard
Toledo, OH

Boles is probably the best interior lineman recruit we have in 2011. And he’s probably the most ready to contribute early. At 315 pounds, he might need to drop a few pounds, not gain a few like the rest of the offensive line recruits.

But I have a secondary motive for liking Boles. I think he might get a look at defensive tackle. When I saw some film of him at some lineman camp, for some reason he reminded me of Brandon Moore. And since Brandon Moore was a pretty good defensive tackle that turned out be a solid NFL offensive guard, I made the connection. We need some big bodies at defensive tackle – maybe give Boles a shot?

ALE Projection: Ok, I’m probably dreaming of him at defensive tackle. Let’s redshirt him, give him a few years to learn the system, and then let him compete for a guard spot after, say, Hugh Thornton graduates.

Matt Lacosse (3-star on Rivals, 3-star on ESPN, 3-star on Scout)
Athlete / Tight End
Naperville, IL

Lacosse feels like one of those Iowa tight ends we’ve grown to hate. Best athlete in his school, played QB, projects as a tight end in college. I think Iowa has had 94 such players the last 10 years. I’m thinking he redshirts to build strength and learn his new position, and then he finds the field in 2012, building to a starting role in 2014 and 2015. Wait, I jumped ahead again, didn’t I?

ALE Projection: I’m thinking he redshirts to build strength and learn his new position, and then he finds the field in 2012, building to a starting role in 2014 and 2015.

RECRUITS I’M EXCITED ABOUT BUT CAN’T REALLY TELL YOU WHY

Henry Dickinson (3-star on Rivals, 3-star on ESPN, 2-star on Scout)
Linebacker
Memphis, TN

I love this kid’s film. (If you’re a Rivals subscriber, go watch his film on his profile page here) Every time I watch it, I wonder why he’s not rated higher. I already hate myself for saying this, but he looks a bit like Brit Miller. Not as fast, but he appears to have the same instincts. I’d love to have another Brit Miller.

ALE Projection: Redshirt, bigger/stronger/faster, start to make an impact during his redshirt sophomore year.

Jeremy Whitlow (3-star on Rivals, 2-star on ESPN, 2-star on Scout)
Wide Receiver
Cleveland, OH

Another film thing. Go watch the footwork at the :50 mark of this video.  Seriously, I’ll wait. Go check it out.

Loved the little jab step to get the corner to open up and then the fly-by, didn’t you?  No he’s not a burner.  He’s not the biggest guy, or the strongest.  If you wanted to, you could play the “he kind of runs weird” card.  But I’m still excited about him.  He showed some nice YAC vision in that video, and I’m excited to see what he looks like in Rantoul.

ALE Projection:  You know what? I’m already over 2,000 words, we’re not even halfway through the class, and I’ll likely put “Redshirt, bigger/stronger/faster, start to make an impact during his redshirt sophomore year” for the majority of the players remaining.  I’ll end this “projection” feature and just talk about the players from here on out.

Jordan Frysinger (2-star on Rivals, 2-star on ESPN, 2-star on Scout)
Athlete / Tailback / Slot Receiver
Corning, NY

Certainly a head-scratcher when he verballed. We had just put together a bowl season, which meant we had a shot at closing the class with a strong push. And then we take a flyer on a lacrosse player from New York? Really?

Given the time to look at some film and study this a little more, I like the signing. Many times, I like signings like this more than I like the 2-star kids that visited several junior days, did the camp circuit, and came away with only MAC or Sun-Belt offers. Frysinger is out of nowhere. But he’s a great athlete with quick feet – I’m excited to see what Paul Petrino can design for him in the future.

Ted Karras (3-star on Rivals, 3-star on ESPN, 2-star on Scout)
Offensive Guard
Indianapolis, IN

OK, I’ll admit it. It’s for the name. And the Mongo jokes.

That, and I’m a sucker for bloodlines.  Ted Karras III will be the seventh member of his family to play Big Ten football, the most famous being Alex Karras (Ted III’s great uncle), who played at Iowa and went on to a Pro-Bowl career with the Detroit Lions before finding his true calling as George Papadapolis.

All of this, of course, gives me a Luke Butkus vibe. Karras be an awesome interior lineman for the Illini simply because of his name.

Chris Jones (3-star on Rivals, 3-star on ESPN, 3-star on Scout)
Defensive Tackle
Jacksonville, FL

You can always count on Dan Disch to pull in a Jacksonville kid. With Jones, he waited until today to pull him in. Jones was an NC State commitment, but switched to Illinois today.

I’m excited about Jones mostly because of what position he plays and what area he hails from. There was an excellent article in Sports Illustrated last week about the number of NFL defensive linemen who went to high school in the south. The map linked in that article is pretty stunning.  Given our recent success with defensive tackles from Florida (two guys named Liuget and Spence), I’m thrilled that Jones made the switch this morning.

RECRUITS I’M NOT THAT EXCITED ABOUT BUT CAN’T REALLY TELL YOU WHY

Donovonn Young (3-star on Rivals, 3-star on ESPN, 3-star on Scout)
Running Back
Katy, TX

I’m sorry. I really am. I’ve tried for three weeks to build up my excitement for Young. “He was injured his junior year and fell off the map”, I’d tell myself. “Look at his numbers and his film – how does that not scream BCS tailback?”

I haven’t been able to get there. I’ll keep trying. But when I try, I can’t get past the fact that if we hadn’t offered, he’d probably be heading to McNeese State or Gardner-Webb. Katy, Texas isn’t exactly Nowheresville. Why no offers? Why wouldn’t a lower-end Texas school take a flyer on him?

I might come around in a few weeks. He did look like high school Jason Ford on film, spin moves and leg drive and whatnot. But today, I just can’t get past the McNeese State.

Kenny Knight (3-star on Rivals, 3-star on ESPN, 3-star on Scout)
Wide Receiver
Beverly Hills, MI

I watched both Knight and Whitlow’s film, and I liked Whitlow better. But I will say this – Knight has the most upside, mostly because you can’t teach height. Knight looks big and strong on film, but he also looks a bit slow. Best case: Walter Young 2.0. Worst case: (name redacted because I always feel bad about throwing a former Illini player under the bus.)

Ralph Cooper (3-star on Rivals, 3-star on ESPN, 3-star on Scout)
Linebacker
Winnsboro, SC

I know, right? Big, strong, fast linebacker from a recruiting area where Vic Koenning and Ron West loved to find big, strong, fast linebackers when they were coaching at Clemson, and I’m not excited? What’s wrong with me (Part II)?

To be honest, I’m probably sour on Cooper because of his size. We’ve had success of late with rangy middle linebackers – the thick, stout middle linebacker recruits like Evan Frierson and Dustin Jefferson, just haven’t worked out, with the Disch/Mallory defense nor the Koenning defense. That’s what worries me about Cooper. He’s 225 now – when he bulks up and adds muscle, can he play linebacker in this defense at 240 pounds? (Well, come to think of it, Jonathan Brown can, so maybe my worries aren’t warranted.)

Josh Ferguson (3-star on Rivals, 3-star on ESPN, 3-star on Scout)
Running Back
Naperville, IL

It’s the size. He’s listed as 5′-8″, but when you watch film of him in high school, he’ll had the ball to the official and you’d swear he’s 5′-6″.

Yes, he’s lighting quick, and we can always use speed. But it’s hard to get past his height. You have to be a crazy good athlete to overcome 5′-7″ on the football field. I’m just not sure Ferguson is quick enough to overcome his size.  I have this hangup where you need to be Jeff Demps or LaMichael James fast to overcome 5′-7″.  Hopefully, Ferguson gets me past my hangup.

Tony Durkin (3-star on Rivals, 2-star on ESPN, 3-star on Scout)
Center
Tinley Park, IL

Again, just a feeling.  I’m probably more excited about Karras simply because of his name.  But I always try to be practical when it comes to recruiting and offensive linemen.  We bring in 4 or 5 every year, and typically only 40% or so ever find the field.  Some transfer, some remain career backups, and some find there way to the starting line.  For this class, I’m high on Flavin and Karras and Boles, which means I’m not high on Durkin and…

Scott McDowell (3-star on Rivals, 3-star on ESPN, 3-star on Scout)
Offensive Tackle
Hinsdale, IL

Last year, we brought in Michael Heitz and Simon Cvijanovic to play tackle. One of them will make the two deep. One of them will go the career backup/transfer route. It happens every year. This year, at tackle, we’re bringing in Flavin and McDowell. One of them will be Jeff Allen in a few years. The other will be Craig Wilson. No offense to McDowell – I mean, I could make a ton of “and that’s when the big bucks start rolling in” jokes over the next five years – but I’m a Flavin guy.

RECRUITS I JUST DON’T KNOW THAT MUCH ABOUT

Willie Beavers (3-star on Rivals, 3-star on ESPN, 2-star on Scout)
Defensive Tackle
Lathrup Villiage, MI

A 6′-6″ defensive tackle? OK. But, um, what?

Valdon Cooper (3-star on Rivals, 1-star on ESPN, 2-star on Scout)
ATH / Defensive Back
Elberton, GA

Track guy with speed. Projects as a defensive back. That’s all I got.

Nick North (2-star on Rivals, 3-star on ESPN, 3-star on Scout)
Safety
Hollywood, FL

I should know more about him. I need to watch more film. Safeties from south Florida are good 93.3% of the time. It’s science.

Kenny Nelson (2-star on Rivals, 3-star on Scout, 2-star on Scout)
Defensive End
Detroit, MI

A saw some grainy film on Nelson, and he looked, I don’t know, too thick in his legs for a defensive end. Move inside to DT, perhaps?

Chris O’Connor (3-star on Rivals, 3-star on ESPN, 3-star on Scout)
Defensive End
Tinley Park, IL

Haven’t watched any film, for some reason. I don’t know much except for 240 lb. defensive linemen, they need a redshirt and a few years in the weight room before they’re ready for the Big Ten.

Eaton Spence (2-star on Rivals, unrated on ESPN, 2-star on Scout)
Defensive Back
Belle Glade, FL

This one was out of nowhere. We’re supposedly out of scholarships, we already have a cornerback from Belle Glade, Florida, and suddenly Spence is a commitment and JT Thornton (his teammate) isn’t. That’s truly the extent of my knowledge. Were I to write his bio today, it would say “From Belle Glade, Florida. Teammate of one-time Illini commitment JT Thornton.”

FINAL THOUGHTS

A solid finish for the Zooker. I was skeptical, but he took his bowl season and sold it to Pat Flavin and Dondi Kirby and Darrius Caldwell and Jon Davis. I’d say 6 of the 10 best recruits in this class came since the end of the season. One (maybe two) of those 6 arrived today.

Where does this class rank in the Big Ten? Definitely behind Ohio State, Nebraska, Michigan, and Michigan State. But with the additions today of Davis and Jones, I like it better than Wisconsin (not much sizzle) and Penn State (very small class), and maybe even Iowa. But that’s just because I hate Iowa.

The bad news? There are 27 players on this list. We can only enroll 25. That means two players (maybe more) wont make it into school this summer (or will accept grayshirts to get a 2012 scholarship instead). If, say, Jones and Caldwell don’t qualify, this class takes a hit. Jury remains out until July.

But for now, I’m very pleased. Probably a B- class that moved to a solid B with two great athletes getting Zooked on signing day.

Zook gets coffee.

So now, for the first time, there’s precedent for a post.  I present to you my summary of Illini Football Signing Day 2010, in the same format as last year:

IMMEDIATE IMPACT PLAYERS:

Chandler Whitmer (4-star QB, Elite 11 invitee)

For some reason, Whitmer’s pedigree is being lost in all of the negativity directed towards this disappointing recruiting class.  Yes, it’s a poor class.  Leanest of the Zook tenure.  Low on studs, high on projects.

But Chandler Whitmer is good.  Probably really good.  Maybe awesome.

Making the Elite 11 camp (think “McDonald’s All American game for Quarterbacks”) is no small feat. Only one other Illini QB (Juice) has made the camp in its 12 year existence. And when they handed out the awards at the end of the camp, Mr. Whitmer was named “Most Accurate” and finished 3rd in the MVP voting. So it’s strange to peruse all of my Illini bookmarks and not see more Whitmer love. Of course, Bob Weiner loves him, and that’s probably enough for me:

Robert Weiner was out to prove to some of his players that it didn’t take much for him to spot top-shelf talent.

“We were in Champaign at Illinois’ camp and one of my players was joking around with me telling me I couldn’t spot the top players,” said Weiner, the head football coach at Tampa’s Plant High and one of the top prep quarterback coaches in the Southeast. “I told him I could tell in two throws.”

So Weiner watched an undersized quarterback with a gun sling it twice and said “that’s the one, right there.”

Whitmer will have every opportunity to win the starting job as a freshman.  He’s enrolled right now, taking classes and watching film.  I’m really excited to see this kid in spring ball.

Before we move on, a little more press from last summer so you understand that Whitmer is one of the top-5 Illini QB recruits in the last 25 years.  Here’s a blurb from the Orlando Elite 11 regional camp, where he was chosen as MVP over Brion Carnes (Nebraska’s 4-star QB of the future):

Whitmer was a ball boy for the Elite 11 event a year ago, and he held his own against the likes of Aaron Murray, A.J. McCarron and Co. in the 2009 class. He is now a bit taller and has bulked up some. He was polished, nicely groomed and displayed solid footwork, ball speed and arm strength. His natural wrist velocity gave him an edge against the wind and aided in his overall accuracy. At this stage, Illinois, Arizona and Stanford have offered, and he is also receiving interest from Northwestern, Notre Dame and Purdue.

And from the Illinois regional NFTC camp, where Whitmer was chosen as the MVP over players like Robert Bolden (Penn State’s 4-star QB of the future), Devin Gardner (Michigan’s 4-star QB of the future), and Joe Boisture (Michigan State’s 4-star QB of the future):

The quarterback position was the deepest it’s been all tour-long in Champaign, but it was the local pocket passer Whitmer bound for Illinois that emerged as the group’s MVP over a slew of other outstanding prospects. Whitmer was the day’s most consistent passer, showing great accuracy, footwork and coachability. He doesn’t have A-plus arm strength but more than makes up for it with quick decision-making and a hair-trigger release.

This kid is pretty good at throwing the football in the direction of faster athletes who like to catch it and run.

GREAT GETS:

Darius Millines (3-Star WR from Delray Beach, FL)

Watch this Youtube video, and you’ll see why this guy was such a nice pickup late in the recruiting game.  Whitmer and Millines make this class for me, and I’d love to see them get all Kittner-to-Lloyd over the next 4 years.  There are rumors of grade issues, and rumors that Florida and Alabama backed off their offers because of grade issues, and rumors that the grade issues were resolved this fall and he’s good to go.  So believe what you want.  All I know is that the people of the Commonwealth of West Virginia (it’s a commonwealth, right? no?) are very upset he’s not headed their way.  And in a year where not much went our way, it’s nice that someone is jealous.

In ESPN’s class rankings, they put Millines as our best recruit, just missing their ESPN 150 (he’s #162).  If his grade issues are truly resolved, you’ll probably see him in the two-deep this fall.

Earnest Thomas (3-star DB from Orchard Lake, MI)

To show you how thin this recruiting class is (rankings-wise), last year there were seven consensus 4-stars and at least five 3-stars with big-time offer lists.  This year, there’s only one consensus 4-star and only two 3-stars with big-time offer lists.  Guh.

But don’t let that diminish your excitement over Whitmer, Millines, and Earnest Thomas. The latter was a UCLA commit last summer, de-committed, flirted with Penn State, considered Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin, and West Virginia, and settled on Illinois.  I know – I don’t know why either.  But I’ll take it.

From watching his film, I think he’s the perfect hybrid.  A lot of safety, a little linebacker, and a little corner.  Groom him as the nickel back and set him loose in 2011.

GUYS I’M EXCITED ABOUT BUT HAVE VERY LITTLE REASONING AS TO WHY:

Ryan Lankford (3-star WR from Jacksonville, FL)

I love guys with solid bloodlines.  And Lankford’s dad spent 10 years in the NFL with the Dolphins.

You don’t have to watch the whole film, but check out the punt return at the 2:25 mark of this video.  Kid is fluid with a nice accelerator.  I’m planning to use a few the-kid-was-under-recruited standbys with him: both “small school kid who was overlooked” AND “football bloodlines in his family”.  All that’s missing is “word is, USC and Alabama coaches just discovered his tape on the internet and were prepared to offer” to complete the trifecta.

Jonathan Brown (3-star LB from Memphis)

It’s been a long, long time since we signed a linebacker that was projected by the scouting services as an inside linebacker.  All of the linebackers in the 2009, 2008, and 2007 classes projected as outside ‘backers.  The last prototypical inside linebacker was Anterio Jackson in 2006 (now an offensive guard).  Before that?  Brit Miller.

When he looks over the defensive recruits he gets to coach, I think Vic Koenning might be most pleased with Jonathan Brown.  It’s nice to have a versatile athlete like Earnest Thomas coming in, but it’s really, really nice to have a guy who you could count on as your run stuffer.  Especially in the Big Ten.

Jay Prosch (2-star fullback, Mobile, AL)

The unsung hero of the 2007 Rose Bowl team? (I mean, besides the most underrated Illini player in the last decade – Antonio Steele.) The offensive unsung hero? Russ Weil. Not only did he enjoy opening holes for Rashard, he enjoyed blowing people up on special teams.

I like guys who like to hit people.  Jay Prosch likes to hit people.  Using a trick I learned in math class:  I like guys who like to hit people. Jay Prosch likes to hit people. = I like Jay Prosch.

Michael Heitz (3-star OL from Vermont, IL)

The Wisconsin Way.  1) Find a big farm boy who sees 6:00 a.m. weightlifting sessions as “getting up late”.  2) Redshirt him, put more weight on him, and teach him how to maul people. 3) Plug him in at offensive tackle and move the chains.

Miles Osei (3-star QB from Mt. Prospect, IL)

I’m getting a Johnny Johnson vibe from him.  In the summer of 1993, I could be heard telling people “between Jeff Hecklinski and Scott Weaver, we are SET at QB for the next few years”.  And then come to find that the unheralded QB recruit was the best of the bunch.

If nothing else, he’s Eddie McGee – a decent backup, and a promising receiver.

GUYS I’M JUST NOT THAT EXCITED ABOUT AND I HAVE NO REASON AS TO WHY:

Brandon Denmark (2/3-star DE/ATH from Tallahassee, FL)

When you see him on film, he kind of reminds you of a young Will Davis.  Big + athletic, played everywhere in high school, ready to rush the QB in college.  But all it took was reading a rumor on some message board somewhere that we had to promise him that we wouldn’t make him a DE if he picked us over Arkansas.  And suddenly, I had Cordale Scott flashbacks and have transferred my hatred for his situation towards Mr. Denmark.  Sorry, Brandon.  Nothing personal.

Simon Cvijanovic (2-star OL from Cleveland, OH)

I’ve never known less about an Illini recruit.  He committed during the Petrino/Koenning/revamp the coaching staff days, so I couldn’t give him my typical video/article search after a player verbals.   And then I forgot.  And then he didn’t waver with his commitment, so there was no message board chatter.  And then his fax came in yesterday, and I was all “oh yeah – totally forgot about him. He any good?” So then I watched his official film on the school website, and one of the highlights showed him continuing to block while a fumble was bouncing around behind him.  I’m now labeling him as someone who “needs more awareness on the field” and placing him here.

Mark Wilson (3-star LB from Tallahassee, FL)

My yearly “man, I should be more excited about him, because he has some pretty solid offers, but I’m just not seeing it when I watch him on tape” recruit.  This should be very, very good news for us, because 3 years ago I said the same thing about Miami Thomas.

He hits hard, which is good, because Koenning needs hitters.  Maybe it’s just that he looks a bit awkward running laterally.  I don’t know.

Trulon Henry (2-star JUCO Safety)

It’s Bo Flowers fault. I was so excited when Flowers chose football after he gave up on minor league baseball. According to me at the time, he was to bring “maturity” and “leadership” to our secondary. And then he just looked like an old guy back there.

So I’m sorry, Trulon, that I have to place you on this part of the list. It’s just that when I hear of your “maturity” and “leadership”, I have this facial tic that kicks in.

GUYS I HAVE VERY LITTLE COMMENT ABOUT BECAUSE I DON’T KNOW ENOUGH ABOUT THEM:

Spencer Harris (2-star WR from Greenwood, AR) – Weakest offer list of any of the recruits, which means, of course, he has the most to prove. Prove away, Spence.
Shawn Afryl (3-star OL from Niles, IL) – It’s pronounced uh-FREEL. That’s all I got.
Ean Days (2-star DB from Kingsland, GA) – Tailback in high school, Zook said in the press conference he will be tried at Safety.
Evan Wilson (3-star TE from Woodstock, GA) – We need tight ends, but he might need 2 or 3 years before he’s ready.
A.J. Williams (2-star TE/WR from Chesapeake, VA) – Big tight end who was recruited as a wideout.
Jake Howe (2-star DL from McHenry, IL) – With Prosch’s commitment, he moves from fullback to the defensive line.
Alex Hill (3-star OL from Slidell, LA) – Could be solid if he loses some weight. Projects as a center.
Austin Teitsma (2-star DL from Glen Ellyn, IL) – Sometimes, these guys work out great. Lower level prospect looking at MAC schools, dying for a Big Ten offer, and after they get it their career is defined by what they told the coach when they got the offer: “I won’t let you down.”

And now, the sad part.  For the most part, 2010 Illini Football recruiting will be known not just for who we didn’t get (Kyle Prater, anyone?), but for who we had and then lost.  4-star C.J. Fiedorowicz left and went to Iowa (eww).  4-star Corey Cooper to Nebraska (sigh).  Dan Foose to Florida State (eek), Daniel Easterly to Missouri (ick), Dexter McDonald to Kansas (yuck), Zach Bolton to Utah (what?), Andy Gallik to Boston College (ok, stop).  Add those seven and shave off some of our backup recruits, and this is a decent-to-good class.  Remove them, and, well, welcome to Zook’s worst class.

With something to prove.

Terry Hawthorne (4-star WR from ESL, Parade Mag #1 receiver in the nation)
I get a Deron Williams vibe from Hawthorne. Part of a tandem of top recruits at his school, all the way until the end of his senior season the other guy was hyped more, and near the end articles like “you know, Terry Hawthorne might be the best player in the entire Midwest” start popping up.
I’ve said this before, but I think our top three recruits this decade are as follows:

1. Rashard Mendenhall
2. Arrelious Benn
3. Terry Hawthorne

Here’s the most amazing stat about Hawthorne: In ESL’s 5 playoff games, he intercepted SEVEN passes, and, AND, ran 4 of them back for touchdowns. He’s that slick, speedy, athletic WR who drives you nuts on punt return one play by running backwards and then breaks off an 82 yard TD on a reverse the very next play.

We probably had to make a “we’ll keep you on offense” promise to keep Oklahoma away. But I still want him at free safety.  And returning punts.  And punting – yes, punting.  He averaged 45 yards per punt in high school, and can be the world’s first Wildcat Punter if we let him.

GREAT GETS:

Nathan Scheelhaase (4-star QB from Kansas City Rockhurst)

Everyone should read the News Gazette article on Scheelhaase. He’s a Lou Tepper dream recruit, except he’s talented, fast, and the 7th best dual threat QB in the country. And, as this MaxPreps article states, Nathan Scheelhaase to Terry Hawthorne may not sound pretty, but it will look pretty in Champaign for years to come.

Spring practice in 2010 will be loads of fun, as 5th year senior Eddie McGee, rs-soph Jacob Charest, and rs-frosh Nathan Scheelhaase battle it out to replace Juice.

Lendell Buckner (4-star DT from Chicago Leo)

Big DT who will hit the weights and hopefully show up in the rotation after Brent graduates and Liuget leaves early. He’s just a very, very large man with huge feet and hands. That’s what you want in a DT.

Justin Green (4-star RB/CB from Louisville)

Stole him from Ohio State by promising him we’d give him a shot in the backfield (tOSU was going to put him at corner). Won the Kentucky State Championship in the 100 meters running a 10.67. Blazing fast.

I’m most excited about this guy because of Aaron Brown at TCU. Brown was the pre-season Mountain West POTY before getting injured this past season. But he was a Mike Schultz (our new OC) project. He was a track star in high school (ran a 10.55 in the 100) that had played in only one high school football game. Schultz recruited him to TCU as a football player and turned him into a scatback in his run-out-of-the-spread offense. Schultz was then heavily involved in recruiting Justin Green away from tOSU, undoubtedly to do the same thing. Daddy like.

Michael Buchanan (4-star DE from Homewood-Flossmoor)

Tall 4-star DE (6’-6”) who is thin right now. Give him a redshirt, let him work out 24/7, and introduce a corner-rushing rs-soph DE to the Big Ten in 2011. I especially enjoyed this one due to a Purdue tool showing up on several recruiting message boards saying how he was a lock to Purdue because of “stuff that went on at Homewood-Flossmoor” during our recruitment of Russ Ellington and Supo Sanni. Fail.

GUYS I’M EXCITED ABOUT BUT HAVE VERY LITTLE REASONING AS TO WHY:

Walt Aikens (2-star safety from North Carolina)

Safety that was completely off the recruiting radar (hence the 2-star), and then all of the sudden there’s offers pouring in from North Carolina and Louisville and Clemson and Illinois. Any time I see a guy like that, I think of Jon Asamoah (was a 2-star headed to Northern Illinois and all of the sudden we’re fighting Wisconsin and Northwestern and Cincinnati for his services). And I love Jon Asamoah.

Eric Watts (3-star ATH from Florida)

He’s from Florida. He’s fast. He projects as a linebacker. The end.

Steve Hull (3-star WR/DB from Cincinnati)

My love for him is simply based on a couple highlights (one was a 100 yard INT return for touchdown that made the top plays on Sportscenter). And the catches he makes on the INT and the deep bomb in this video

make me want him ball hawking at safety. I can’t bear to take another year with only 5 interceptions. I want this guy at safety. (See a theme here?)

Hugh Thornton (3-star OT from Ohio)

Has that huge, athletic, tall frame that screams left tackle. Was our highest ranked 3-star per Rivals. Again, redshirt, 3 years lifting weights, and debut him at LT at the beginning of the 2012 season.

Bud Golden (4-star RB from Cincinnati)

His highlights are just… OK. But he has an awesome name. Which means he will be awesome.

GUYS I’M JUST NOT THAT EXCITED ABOUT AND I HAVE NO REASON AS TO WHY:

Leon Hill (4-star OL from Chicago Leo)

Any time a guy is projected as a guard, for some reason, I get worried. We run the spread option, so we need o-linemen getting out in space. When I hear “projects as a guard”, I think “run-blocking road grader”, which isn’t a very good fit for our offense.
He’ll now go on to 3 years all-Big 10.

Justin Lattimore (2-star TE from Florida)

Besides us and Iowa, his offers were MAC-ish. And I still have too many Ron Turner nightmares to get excited over MAC recruits. I have big hopes for Hubie Graham and London Davis in the future, so I don’t see room for Lattimore.

Greg Fuller (3-star fullback from Chicago)

Granted, I haven’t seen Schultz’s offense yet, but it doesn’t sound like he used a traditional fullback much at TCU. So I’m not sure where a Carey Davis clone fits in this offense. Can he play linebacker??

Jake Feldmeyer (2-star OL from Ohio)

“Projects as a guard”. “Chose Illinois over offers from several MAC schools”. Well, there you go.

GUYS I HAVE VERY LITTLE COMMENT ABOUT BECAUSE I DON’T KNOW ENOUGH ABOUT THEM:

Darryl Lee (2-star LB from Florida) Didn’t sign?
Aaron Gress (3-star JuCo LB) Might play strong safety?
Andrew Carter (3-star OL from Florida) I should know more, because he’s pretty good.
Tommie Hopkins (3-star DB from ESL) Teammate of Hawthorne
Tim Kynard (2-star DL from Toledo) I got nothin’
Akeem Spence (3-star DT from Florida) Co-nothin’
Joelil Thrash (2-star DB from DC) A Locks recruit I was surprised to see hang on