Football Recruiting - Early signing day '22

[StLRedbird]

Got 'em

This got a mention on the evening news here in STL.

 

[Dmills]

 

[Dmills]

DuPec’s Jake Anderson the latest local football player to commit to Illinois State

DURAND, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF) –The early signing period in high school football opened Wednesday. The Rockford area has one football player going Division I. He’s DuPec defensive end Jake An…

www.mystateline.com

 

[MadBird]

Sure doesn’t look like this early class is going to do much to address the offensive woes that Spack mentioned at the end of the season. There are plenty if QB’s to go after in the portal but the jury is still out on QB development here as well. Looks like more of the same.

10 of 15 recruits are offensive players, 3 WR's over 6'1, JC transfer 330 lb OL (JR ready to play with experience), 2 TE's - no QB but let's assume we'll get at least one from the portal, we had 2 HS recruits at QB last year. I'd say they are at least looking in the right direction.

 

[DaveBird10]

I was looking up some of the recruits and I am getting really excited about Kobe Rios! According to 247sports they have him listed as an OT but as the top 7/8 tackle going D1. If the plan is to play him at guard with his 6'6 330lb frame with Asche/Zambrano at tackle and or an FBS transfer then now you're talking about what could be a really solid o-line.

 

[Dmills]

 

[Dmills]

Kobe Rios and Iowa Western lost 31-13 in the NJCAA championship. I didn't get to see any of the game as I was traveling.

 

[ISUBU]

This group is significantly smaller than our typical class, so I think we'll see several additions through the next few months and the later recruiting period. I think this class shows the big impact of the Name, Image, Likeness and transfer rule changes.

The willingness of players to move creates instability at the top of Division I, and ripples down through all levels of scholarship football. Many of us think that we should look for a transfer QB ready to step in and start for us while our young players develop. Any particular FBS QB who decides to transfer is going to start looking at other FBS programs, then FCS, then DII and maybe even NAIA, finally DIII for some of them. They are trying to find the spot that best fits them. And since there isn't one defined period for this recruiting, some teams are going to hold back slots so they can fill that need when the supply is there. This applies to all positions of course.

There seem to be a number of high school kids who in other years would have had multiple suitors, but in 2021 they are hanging out without offers. This was predicted months ago, but that doesn't make it any easier for them. If it was clear that you were a walk-on type talent, you probably can find a place. But I think a good number of high school players will eventually get scholarship offers as the transfer market sorts itself out.

 

[MadBird]

Kobe Rios and Iowa Western lost 31-13 in the NJCAA championship. I didn't get to see any of the game as I was traveling.

I watched some, not much. Rios played left guard, looked pretty athletic, he pulled a few times and looked capable. Looked to be a very large man playing against much smaller guys. His team did not show that well. Hard to tell how much he'll help us, definitely is a physical specimen. Didn't look all that soft around the middle, that's good.

 

[MadBird]

This group is significantly smaller than our typical class, so I think we'll see several additions through the next few months and the later recruiting period. I think this class shows the big impact of the Name, Image, Likeness and transfer rule changes.

The willingness of players to move creates instability at the top of Division I, and ripples down through all levels of scholarship football. Many of us think that we should look for a transfer QB ready to step in and start for us while our young players develop. Any particular FBS QB who decides to transfer is going to start looking at other FBS programs, then FCS, then DII and maybe even NAIA, finally DIII for some of them. They are trying to find the spot that best fits them. And since there isn't one defined period for this recruiting, some teams are going to hold back slots so they can fill that need when the supply is there. This applies to all positions of course.

There seem to be a number of high school kids who in other years would have had multiple suitors, but in 2021 they are hanging out without offers. This was predicted months ago, but that doesn't make it any easier for them. If it was clear that you were a walk-on type talent, you probably can find a place. But I think a good number of high school players will eventually get scholarship offers as the transfer market sorts itself out.

Yes, a new ball game.

I posted a link on page 1 of this thread to an article on Prairie State Pigskin with some comments about the recruiting situation.

Edgy Tim suggests there are fewer Illinois HS kids than usual ready to play DI, so that may play into why we have fewer.

Altho the whole situation may cause guys to wait, I think a lot of guys will want to transfer by second semester so they can get in on spring practice. Especially QB's. So they enter the portal as soon as the season ends, or maybe even earlier and then make their decision ASAP - like Rutkiewicz already signing up with NIU.

Definitely agree coaches will want to hold back at least a couple schollies to capture those last minute guys.

Crazy times.

Here's that link again:

Illinois recruiting numbers 'way, way, way down', according to 30-year analyst

The number of Illinois prep football players signing with the state FCS schools may well be an all-time low, according to longtime recruiting analyst “Edgy” Tim O’Halloran. Today is National Signing Day, the December date on the calendar when high school athletes officially declare which...

www.chicagonow.com

 

[DaveBird10]

Yes, a new ball game.

I posted a link on page 1 of this thread to an article on Prairie State Pigskin with some comments about the recruiting situation.

Edgy Tim suggests there are fewer Illinois HS kids than usual ready to play DI, so that may play into why we have fewer.

Altho the whole situation may cause guys to wait, I think a lot of guys will want to transfer by second semester so they can get in on spring practice. Especially QB's. So they enter the portal as soon as the season ends, or maybe even earlier and then make their decision ASAP - like Rutkiewicz already signing up with NIU.

Definitely agree coaches will want to hold back at least a couple schollies to capture those last minute guys.

Crazy times.

Here's that link again:

Illinois recruiting numbers 'way, way, way down', according to 30-year analyst

The number of Illinois prep football players signing with the state FCS schools may well be an all-time low, according to longtime recruiting analyst “Edgy” Tim O’Halloran. Today is National Signing Day, the December date on the calendar when high school athletes officially declare which...

www.chicagonow.com

If I remember correctly the Ziebarth kid that went to Normal West part of the reason he committed early to ISU was unsure about how many scholarships would be available for hs kids. Edgy Tim said hes a kid that could go to a MAC school if he held out but wanted to make sure he'd have a scholarship and a spot so committed early.

 

[Total Red]

I watched some, not much. Rios played left guard, looked pretty athletic, he pulled a few times and looked capable. Looked to be a very large man playing against much smaller guys. His team did not show that well. Hard to tell how much he'll help us, definitely is a physical specimen. Didn't look all that soft around the middle, that's good.

I initially thought Rios would be a Tackle but it appears they plan to keep him at Guard. We've got Zambrano coming back and Asche returning from injury but we could really use a veteran OT. Injuries and Covid could impact the lineup and we need better pass rush protection on the edges.

 

[Total Red]

This group is significantly smaller than our typical class, so I think we'll see several additions through the next few months and the later recruiting period.

I agree. The early signee group wasn't particulary large so that leaves us with plenty of dry powder for the transfer portal and we can always go after some overlooked HS players in the Feb signing period.

As Madbird pointed out, we stayed in the upper Midwest for early signees. Last year our late recruits came from the warmer climates - (Kylan Stevens and Pete Zuccollo - Florida and Zion Granville - Texas). It will be interesting to see if we do the same this Feb.

 

[Birdswin]

As for Ziebarth from Normal West - remember his dad was a starter for the Birds on the O-Line and ISU has an Ag school. The Birdswin Tailgate - all of my other partners had sons play football at Normal West.

 

[Total Red]

READ FOR COACH SPACK QB COMMENTS

"

It's been over two weeks since this Pantagraph article said that a transfer QB "could happen soon." I know things are generally quiet until after the 1st of the year but I don't like waiting.
The recruits that signed earlier this month will help determine the fate of the program years into the future but what is happening right now in the transfer portal will determine whether or not the Redbirds are a playoff contender in '22.

 

[MadBird]

It's been over two weeks since this Pantagraph article said that a transfer QB "could happen soon." I know things are generally quiet until after the 1st of the year but I don't like waiting.
The recruits that signed earlier this month will help determine the fate of the program years into the future but what is happening right now in the transfer portal will determine whether or not the Redbirds are a playoff contender in '22.

Wonder what the enrollment deadline is for second semester? You'd think a "serious" candidate would wanna get in for the spring practice. Guess that doesn't totally eliminate a later enrollee - someone who gets the idea during his current team's spring practice that he's "out".

 

[Total Red]

Wonder what the enrollment deadline is for second semester? You'd think a "serious" candidate would wanna get in for the spring practice. Guess that doesn't totally eliminate a later enrollee - someone who gets the idea during his current team's spring practice that he's "out".

The spring semester starts Monday January 10. Hopefully something happens next week. I'd like a lot of somethings to happen next week.

 

[Commit2theBird]

The spring semester starts Monday January 10. Hopefully something happens next week. I'd like a lot of somethings to happen next week.

Anybody have the scoop on which QB Coach Spack was talking about possibly transferring in?

Here’s my vote.

NJCAA

 

[Total Red]

Anybody have the scoop on which QB Coach Spack was talking about possibly transferring in?

Here’s my vote.

NJCAA

QB General Booty from Tyler JC. The same school where Brady Davis is now an asst. coach. Interesting.

 

[MadBird]

QB General Booty from Tyler JC. The same school where Brady Davis is now an asst. coach. Interesting.

Shake shake shake, shake shake shake . . .