JeffJ had some reporting on our DL players who transferred out (and a former DL assistant) 📂 Archived Message Posted by biclops on June 1, 2026, 17:15:00, in reply to "picked up another JUCO DL" last year ’Karate guy’ Joe Kim hired at a crazy salary to ‘help’ the Illini d-line with their hands/footwork quietly left after the season going to Ohio State working for his buddy Buckeye’s defensive coordinator Matty Pencil….crack research team (me) tracked down the Illini d-linemen who hit the portal last winter leaving Champaign….after spring football…..Angelo McCullum backup nose guard to C.J. Sims at Texas A&M…..Curt Neal back up nose guard at Purdue…Eli Coenen starting defensive tackle at Michigan State….Jeremiah Warren alternated between 2nd and 3rd team reps at nose guard for Pitt….Tomiwa Durojaiye credited with a ‘great spring’ winning a starting job at South Carolina….to be fair….Gamecocks extremely thin on the d-line. https://open.substack.com/pub/jeffb59/p/they-evaluate-great-they-know-what?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web Message Thread: | This response ↓ Football recruiting is looking pretty bleak right now - illini21 April 30, 2026, 8:35:29 Knowles, WR from Texas picked the beloved over TCU. Seems like a good pickup* - JacobRDaugherty June 22, 2026, 11:26:20 His Dad is a former world #1 doubles player, and current coach of world #4 Jessica Pegula* - PDO June 22, 2026, 11:46:07 can we use him to help beef up our tennis program? * - ijustkrushalot June 22, 2026, 12:22:54 I don't think he's eligible anymore* - PDO June 22, 2026, 19:32:12 we have a tennis program?* - bbonb June 22, 2026, 13:19:17 Continuing to deepen our white WR pipeline* - UofIL6 June 22, 2026, 11:30:00 Catch the ball, move the chains, win. I'm happy. - osklister June 22, 2026, 11:44:29 ...Knowles is ranked as the nation's No. 106 wide receiver and the No. 104 WR in Texas.* - osklister June 22, 2026, 12:21:03 He's ranked 104 overall in Texas * - larue33 June 22, 2026, 13:40:49 Now that I can logically comprehend. Thank you.* - DocWalk20 June 22, 2026, 14:04:02 Eh. Original subject line was a cut/paste from the linked article. Whatever. - osklister June 22, 2026, 17:07:55 There’s 103 better WRs in Texas? And only 2 more better outside of Texas?* - DocWalk20 June 22, 2026, 13:04:43 I’m sure it’s a typo of some kind* - OB25 June 22, 2026, 13:22:23 LOL, that's the rankings these guys rely on I guess. Florida, CA?? Plenty of other states too. :-O - osklister June 22, 2026, 13:18:35 Got a commit from a kicker named Ulysses * - jdl June 21, 2026, 14:53:05 Been quite the Odyssey to get our special teams to this level. - osklister June 22, 2026, 12:23:27 are we offering a Scholarship or a Grant?* - bbonb June 22, 2026, 13:21:23 That One Piece giveaway is no longer the weirdest trading card associated with Illini sports - RVA June 17, 2026, 19:38:50 Lol* - illini21 June 17, 2026, 19:43:45 Flipped a 3* RB from Colorado - jdl June 16, 2026, 15:08:40 Hey, I want to go play for fellow Floridian Neon Deon !! Wait, changed my mind. UIUC it is!! - osklister June 16, 2026, 15:18:39 rambling street corner hobo shit. - assassin June 16, 2026, 17:08:11 4 star WR Bennett Konkey announcing tomorrow - illini21 June 15, 2026, 13:50:17 looks like University of Illinois! - assassin June 16, 2026, 12:47:59 I knew it.* - Warrin'_Illini June 16, 2026, 13:11:11 Nice get* - UofIL6 June 16, 2026, 12:49:40 ...assuming he actually ends up here - IlliniSax05 June 16, 2026, 13:06:30 Hey, maybe he transfers in later in his career? JMHO, but your entire roster is one-year only. - osklister June 16, 2026, 13:11:48 yay speed* - illini21 June 16, 2026, 13:02:27 should move us up to 55th and ahead of Maryland for 17th in the B1G!* - ijustkrushalot June 16, 2026, 12:58:12 I thought you were joking. Yeesh.* - Warrin'_Illini June 16, 2026, 13:14:14 That was serious? woof.* - EffinIllini June 16, 2026, 13:30:22 From Geneva, IL. That's Illini Country.* - Warrin'_Illini June 15, 2026, 13:57:36 All-time Illini great Jim Klein went to HS there. - osklister June 15, 2026, 16:19:56 240p?? Shirley, you can't be serious. * - illinijohn June 15, 2026, 18:45:53 Bert signal* - OB25 June 13, 2026, 19:40:17 3 star Texas LB. Another outside of the top 1000, but offers are fine. - assassin June 13, 2026, 20:10:21 Is recruiting still looking bleak for us? Lots of three stars with good offer lists. - Warrin'_Illini June 15, 2026, 16:30:23 Brett is on PMT this morning. Haven’t watched it yet. * - harb June 12, 2026, 9:24:46 It was a fantastic interview. * - harb June 12, 2026, 14:06:12 We just added Unity QB Dane Eisenmenger to the 2026 class* - illini21 June 10, 2026, 15:34:38 so is this a signing that comes with NIL? i have no idea how any of this really works* - lcubed June 11, 2026, 8:43:22 I highly doubt it. - illini21 June 11, 2026, 8:44:48 there's gotta be some guys that vanish between spring ball and this fall - ijustkrushalot June 10, 2026, 15:47:57 All 4 commits this week are >1000 national composite ratings - UofIL6 June 9, 2026, 13:45:31 I actually have no problem with the HS recruiting lately. We aren’t capable of much better. - OB25 June 9, 2026, 16:14:02 I always look at the other offers the kids had rather than the composite score myself - bulldogmba June 9, 2026, 14:13:08 I try and look at it in terms of odds and timeline. - ijustkrushalot June 9, 2026, 14:51:21 Agreed, directionally, but never really know what offers are truly committable* - UofIL6 June 9, 2026, 14:17:14 Ryan Paulsen certainly has the offers of a top 1000 guy* - assassin June 9, 2026, 14:16:09 How is his recruiting compared to his time at Wisconsin? I'm going with 8-4 for next year but - Warrin'_Illini June 9, 2026, 14:06:12 I'd be thrilled with 8-4. Every single year. * - LovetheChief June 9, 2026, 14:10:41 Bert signal activated* - OB25 June 9, 2026, 12:40:37 WTH is a “Sladen Shack”?* - DocWalk20 June 9, 2026, 14:07:16 That's definitely something that got a fraternity kicked off campus at some point * - ijustkrushalot June 9, 2026, 14:45:45 Mississippi QB pipeline - jdl June 9, 2026, 13:06:52 MS QB that's more our speed - assassin June 9, 2026, 13:06:21 From Lompati, we traded down about 1400 slots in teh composite, but QB recruiting - UofIL6 June 9, 2026, 13:12:55 I like what i've heard about this kid but obviously it's a longshot he ever plays a down here* - illini21 June 9, 2026, 13:21:43 Obviously. * - illinijohn June 9, 2026, 16:27:06 Indubitably. - osklister June 9, 2026, 16:42:43 Per this site he had a offer from Kiffin - ATL June 9, 2026, 13:14:23 quarterback from Mississippi * - Poldark June 9, 2026, 13:06:17 We seem to be benefiting from Matt Campbell leaving Iowa State* - biclops June 8, 2026, 22:06:49 picked up another JUCO DL - assassin June 1, 2026, 16:48:56 JeffJ had some reporting on our DL players who transferred out (and a former DL assistant) - biclops June 1, 2026, 17:15:00 Illini bloggers love them some run-on sentences* - AintHatin June 1, 2026, 19:28:44 and... ellipses* - Tortillini June 9, 2026, 7:50:28 Nice, 3 years of eligibility too.* - Warrin'_Illini June 1, 2026, 16:50:01 CBS ranks Bielema #25 - biclops May 27, 2026, 18:50:52 have we tried getting the 5 star guys?* - VIV May 27, 2026, 14:10:12 I don't think we're even close to the level of budget needed for those dudes - UofIL6 May 27, 2026, 14:11:34 *Donates $20 more dollars to IFund* Howabout now?* - KingTalkyTiki May 27, 2026, 14:13:58 Right about now* - opossum jenkins May 27, 2026, 15:24:19 Funk soul brotha* - ATL May 27, 2026, 15:56:40 Game times set for non con- UAB 8PM, Duke 2:30, SIU 1PM* - assassin May 27, 2026, 14:08:06 Amtrak for Duke game now purchased* - JeffFrank May 27, 2026, 19:09:21 Chicago to Durham on the train? Brother that is a haul.* - Warrin'_Illini June 1, 2026, 17:17:18 UAB is at 8 PM on a Thursday night? WTAF? - IlliniOllie May 27, 2026, 14:12:34 Did not realize that was a Thursday night. wtf.* - EffinIllini May 27, 2026, 15:34:04 The Big Ten Network indeed does not care about renewals - assassin May 27, 2026, 14:14:35 UAB 8PM, on THURSDAY September 3 - Poldark May 27, 2026, 14:11:36 This post would seem to violate the Prime Directive. - complainant May 27, 2026, 16:13:25 We got a D2 defensive line transfer. - OB25 May 23, 2026, 18:47:19 This new guy sounds promising but the rest were mostly rotation guys - bjl63 May 23, 2026, 20:11:17 new JUCO commit: 3* DL - ATL May 15, 2026, 15:07:34 Still doesn’t play DL… err, um* - DocWalk20 May 15, 2026, 16:01:44 new commit: 3 star LB from St. Laurence - assassin May 15, 2026, 13:23:17 Are things still bleak for us? Seems like we're doing ok.* - Warrin'_Illini May 15, 2026, 14:02:47 results hazy, check again later. i'm also contractually obligated to complain about the DL here* - assassin May 15, 2026, 14:09:26 The new recruits are fine. They still don't play DL, but they're perfectly fine - UofIL6 May 15, 2026, 14:08:43 Indiana keeps rolling. - EffinIllini May 15, 2026, 13:10:06 And I predict he picks Illinois.* - Warrin'_Illini May 15, 2026, 13:55:50 I hate it so much* - illini21 May 15, 2026, 13:37:30 The new JUCO TE we brought in was just rated the #1 JUCO TE in the country - JacobRDaugherty May 14, 2026, 21:57:53 He doesn’t play DL - bjl63 May 14, 2026, 23:15:51 Will he be playing in 2026?* - assassin May 14, 2026, 22:16:14 Yes* - JacobRDaugherty May 14, 2026, 22:44:14 Apparently we offered Dez Bryant’s kid.* - bjl63 May 14, 2026, 18:44:59 Got another pretty solid OL - OB25 May 14, 2026, 9:03:59 I think he will be a better college player than Wagner. * - JacobRDaugherty May 14, 2026, 10:06:53 Only 3 commits but each one is top 600 composite. That's solid* - illini21 May 14, 2026, 9:25:59 Definitely, would love it more if we could find some defensive linemen* - OrangeSox May 14, 2026, 10:05:27 if we settle into something like 12-14 in the Big Ten with a small class I'm fine - ijustkrushalot May 14, 2026, 10:02:10 If we have 12-14 in this range, it's all good in my eyes... hate seeing the talent leave, but... - uofi1998 May 14, 2026, 10:28:02 Nice.* - Warrin'_Illini May 14, 2026, 9:20:17 Potters represent! - DocWalk20 May 14, 2026, 9:18:47 Signed a Juco TE - jdl May 13, 2026, 18:03:22 I’m officially starting to get nervous - snipes824 May 12, 2026, 10:51:28 Is the juice from the recruiters or the size of the bag they can offer? Probably a bit of - voiceofreason May 12, 2026, 16:04:29 I think it’s certainly both - snipes824 May 12, 2026, 16:18:11 I've heard him speak at his press conference when hired and two radio interviews with local media - illini21 May 14, 2026, 7:28:42 I like Roger Cooper though* - JacobRDaugherty May 14, 2026, 7:44:07 New to being an Illini fan??? - osklister May 12, 2026, 11:23:48 New to posting on this board without a * ?* - DocWalk20 May 12, 2026, 12:47:00 He puts a "*" on his posts that contain messages, because...well... osklister. - KingTalkyTiki May 12, 2026, 15:44:46 SJO lineman Cameron Wagner to Oregon* - illini21 May 11, 2026, 12:14:25 Pretty sure he said "my home for the next 4 years..." How many people do NOT transfer today? - osklister May 12, 2026, 9:42:02 Ben Miller continues to impress* - opossum jenkins May 12, 2026, 5:05:21 Bart? * - larue33 May 12, 2026, 10:53:00 Yes* - opossum jenkins May 12, 2026, 15:37:46 This really isn't because we didn't get him, I don't understand the ranking and offers - JacobRDaugherty May 12, 2026, 10:44:15 Meh. At least in this case. In no way do we measure up to Oregon* - bjl63 May 12, 2026, 10:26:15 We actually got a commitment and it looks like a pretty good one. - OB25 May 9, 2026, 11:49:44 That looks solid… and presumably a fit for the new scheme * - uofi1998 May 9, 2026, 12:51:58 Nevermind. My brain is faulty. * - uofi1998 May 9, 2026, 12:52:55 Nice. Thought he’d end up at Iowa* - illini21 May 9, 2026, 12:31:51 Bert’s long time chief of staff heading to Oklahoma. - uofi1998 May 4, 2026, 21:52:17 He’s deputy athletic director at OU so seems like a step up - CanHartlebHireSnider May 9, 2026, 13:22:01 Bert on recruiting - illini21 May 1, 2026, 15:41:07 While I agree that spending big on HS players in football seems awfully risky… - OB25 May 1, 2026, 15:51:06 I can't imagine trying to be head ball coach in the NIL era. Basketball at least has much smaller - Warrin'_Illini May 1, 2026, 15:49:33 I'm disappointed in in state recruiting this class - Poldark May 1, 2026, 15:43:37 This is the deepest in-state class in like forever. Pretty much confirmed we have no $$* - UofIL6 May 1, 2026, 16:17:38 #InBretITrust* - ATL May 1, 2026, 15:42:17 On the flip side, I was just thinking this week about how we've gone 19-7 with two bowl wins - Blazer April 30, 2026, 16:44:32 Hard to trust the plan on the defensive front, though - bjl63 April 30, 2026, 17:01:26 Definitely agree there is reason for concern - Blazer April 30, 2026, 17:17:46 I do have confidence the offense will be pretty good - bjl63 April 30, 2026, 17:21:37 IDK how good Angelo McCullom is, but... - uofi1998 April 30, 2026, 17:06:15 He went to Texas a&m - snipes824 April 30, 2026, 17:29:14 Lost another to S Carolina. I’m not as upset at losing these guys - bjl63 April 30, 2026, 17:39:08 I think we’re gonna get a really good education on how our success in 2024 and 2025… - opossum jenkins May 12, 2026, 15:45:04 I fear you may be right to some degree - bjl63 May 12, 2026, 15:49:41 I think we screwed up and had used all our budget by the time those guys started jumping ship. - OB25 April 30, 2026, 18:22:17 Then we didn't have much budget (which is a different issue)* - UofIL6 April 30, 2026, 18:35:40 100p* - UofIL6 April 30, 2026, 17:57:59 Agreed* - snipes824 April 30, 2026, 17:50:39 The secondary will be rendered useless - bjl63 April 30, 2026, 17:18:41 I was kind of thinking about our lack of draft picks - CanHartlebHireSnider April 30, 2026, 16:47:08 He's earned a ton... - uofi1998 April 30, 2026, 16:46:53 Agreed this offseason has been a real head scratcher - Blazer April 30, 2026, 17:19:44 real quick roster glace... I have 92 players who could be back next year (with a 5 in 5 rule) - ijustkrushalot April 30, 2026, 14:25:54 put another way, we have 73 guys that could have 2+ years with the program after this year - ijustkrushalot April 30, 2026, 14:30:19 The argument would be received a better if our top targets weren't (seemingly) all going elsewhere* - uofi1998 April 30, 2026, 16:36:27 Let's see how it goes this year. I was a much bigger Aaron Henry defender - JacobRDaugherty April 30, 2026, 8:44:12 It's easier to apply hindsight a few months removed - OrangeSox April 30, 2026, 10:00:06 Also the “first 3 games” included western Michigan and western Illinois - snipes824 April 30, 2026, 12:46:27 The score belied the actual run of play in the Duke game.* - uofi1998 April 30, 2026, 12:47:56 100% - snipes824 April 30, 2026, 12:50:04 In fairness, I think the defense generally got better as the season went along... - uofi1998 April 30, 2026, 12:51:42 Not sure there will ever be a season where we face a gauntlet of QB’s like we did in the first 8 gms - OB25 April 30, 2026, 13:21:17 We faced 2,7,9,13,19,20 in SP+ offense last year - CanHartlebHireSnider April 30, 2026, 14:47:54 I honestly thought the offensive and special teams were worse in the Wisconsin game* - JacobRDaugherty April 30, 2026, 18:27:45 I can’t complain a bit about what Bret has done to make us relevant again - bjl63 April 30, 2026, 14:37:00 I feel like 1 bad year in the current climate hurts a whole lot worse than it used to... - uofi1998 April 30, 2026, 16:37:47 This. EXACTLY. Prior to Bertie-Bert: Zooker, Beckhead, Cubit, Lovie. - osklister April 30, 2026, 16:31:57 For the record, I was a bigger defender of Henry than the board then. I thought he was fine - JacobRDaugherty April 30, 2026, 11:57:09 I also don’t really think Aaron Henry is going to be the difference in our recruiting. - OB25 April 30, 2026, 10:16:46 None of this makes any sense to me except that our resources are being diverted to basketball. - uofi1998 April 30, 2026, 10:32:30 as it should be...money goes further in bball and we actually have a chance at a chip - digs April 30, 2026, 16:48:28 Doesn't seem like something Josh would do * - jdl April 30, 2026, 11:47:23 I don't disagree... but donors put their money where they want to. - uofi1998 April 30, 2026, 12:23:39 I'm sure there's some built in historical bias there - jdl April 30, 2026, 12:39:54 I could also see it as in basketball, it feels like your money has more of an impact - IlliniOllie April 30, 2026, 12:54:15 So are we just bad at recruiting? - AintHatin April 30, 2026, 11:50:31 Last year's class was the best in a long time - jdl April 30, 2026, 11:59:43 I have to think the significant amount of staff turnover had some impact. - uofi1998 April 30, 2026, 12:12:31 I think I heard Bret say the coaching assistants do less recruiting now - jdl April 30, 2026, 12:41:37 JMHO, but closers-people who negotiate the final NIL deals. Eh. Here we are. - osklister April 30, 2026, 13:21:30 Maybe we can convince Mark Cuban to enroll at Illinois* - uofi1998 April 30, 2026, 13:22:08 Hey, all he's got right now is some kind of certificate from a Juco in Indiana. - osklister April 30, 2026, 16:33:51 we've all forgotten with how mostly disappointing the portal and this class so far are - assassin April 30, 2026, 11:57:38 Don't think this new defensive staff is going to help with recruiting at all - illini21 April 30, 2026, 8:46:39 IMO the scheme change is 100% out of desperation - bjl63 April 30, 2026, 11:29:06 Bret doesn't exactly hide his disdain publicly for the amounts others get to spend... - uofi1998 April 30, 2026, 12:15:17 I think Thomas and Bradford can be plus recruiters. I am still high on Archie and Parker. I think - JacobRDaugherty April 30, 2026, 9:53:59 « Index   Searching