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- Thread starter osugrad21
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bucafar
Rookie
I read somewhere that Illinois had a total of 7 first downs in thier rivalry game with NW the last game of the season. I havn't researched this, but if true, this is atrocious. Your last game, a rivalry game, and the ineptness is staggering. It also shows little improvement, which goes to the coaching of the atheletes. Zook may have a good year recruiting; he may land 4 or 5 highly sought after recruits, but, can anyone argue that thier performance on the field has remained pitiful. Zook has had two years to show some improvement. The team started out bad, and ended worse. If I am from Illinois and want to play immediately - where do I go? Many of the posters on this board could garner playing time with the Illini program. I hope the 'sky is falling croud' doesn't get too upset with the recruiting aspects of Illinois.
Didn't NorthWestern have one of Div. 1's worst defenses?
Didn't NorthWestern have one of Div. 1's worst defenses?
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zincfinger
Gert Frobe-approved
Different sport, but how about Matta? I bet he could get some offers if he wanted them. I see your point, but I think there are two other factors at play. First, most coaches will be interested in moving to bigger gigs if they get the opportunity; there's nothing strange about that. Second, a record of success probably trumps a penchant for moving on, in many circumstances. Now, whether Ron Zook has a record of success is an entirely different matter.
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Onebuckfan
classof76
Zook has a big job ahead for most Illini Fans Students and Alums Football Season ends when Basketball practice begins.
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sandgk
Watson, Crick & A Twist
There can be absolutely no doubt that after two seasons in Illinois Zook has not managed to improve their record. Moreover, there can be little doubt but that his ability to get the best out of a pretty well loaded squad at U of F was - and this is putting it kindly - below par. Meyer got more out of that squad in his first year than Zook had managed the previous couple - and those were almost without exception Zook's recruits, Zook's players.zincfinger;685578; said:
Then look at the job Meyer has done this year, still largely with Zook's recruits, but now they are Meyer's players.
Great recruiter - aspersions on his methods aside - but frankly, and undoubtedly at this point, unable to get the most out of his players.
Funny you should say that, it is quite true, they really think like that. We heard a lot of that same looking forward to March talk when at the OSU game in Champaign.Onebuckfan;685623; said:
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KittnertoLloyd
Champaign's finest
Our only win in BT season came on the road. In fact I think we played better on the road than at home. Led PSU 9-3 at half and UW 21-3 at half.
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Zook delivering gifts to Illini faithful
CHAMPAIGN - It's been 25 days since the University of Illinois played a football game, but don't think Ron Zook has been taking it easy out at the mall, picking up some extra coin posing as Santa Claus.
Oh, having a Merry Christmas has been front and center on the mind of the Illini head football coach, and it's looking like Zook might receive a bumper crop of gifts based on the latest buzz in the recruiting community.
Zook's record in two seasons as the Illini coach is 4-19, but his record as a recruiter looks nothing short of BCS Bowl Game Beautiful.
Zook is expecting to get a verbal commitment on Thursday from D'Angelo McCray, a defensive tackle from Jacksonville, Fla., who originally committed to Zook's old team, the Florida Gators. Tom Lemming, the Chicago-based recruiting guru who is now regarded as the national expert on the topic, rates McCray as the 44th best high school prospect in the country.
One week from today, Zook is likely to get commitments from a pair of even more highly rated players. Martez Wilson, a gifted 6-foot-4, 230-pound athlete from Chicago Simeon, is expected to choose Illinois after canceling trips to Ohio State and Michigan and pulling the plug on an in-home visit from Notre Dame head coach Charlie Weis.
Wilson could land at linebacker but he hasn't given up the notion that he's a heck of a prospect at wide receiver. Zook's strategy: Get him signed, then figure out where he plays.
Lemming rates Wilson No. 15 nationally.
Zook is also on target to get a commitment from Bloomington Central Catholic's, 6-3, 300-pound defensive tackle Josh Brent, who has been a regular visitor on campus.
Those developments would come on the heels of Zook landing a commitment from Arrelious Benn of Washington, D.C., a top-rated wide receiver prospect that Lemming ranks as No. 9 overall. And the Illini are still in the hunt for defensive tackle Marvin Austin of Washington, D.C., rated No. 2 overall by Lemming, and running back Robert Hughes of Chicago Hubbard.
Zook's philosophy is to assemble the best recruiting class possible. Then stack another on top of it. Then one more. Then another.
By "stacking" classes, he can develop the kind of talent-rich feeder system that propels programs like Ohio State, Michigan, Florida and Notre Dame into the BCS elite.
No matter who Illinois lands, the football program is still a long way from achieving that status. After two seasons in which patience to win is granted due to youth and the growing pains associated with the transition of a coaching change, Zook will be expected produce a significant bump in the record this next season.
And I keep waiting for news of Zook getting a commitment from a junior college punter. That seems essential after freshman Kyle Yelton struggled mightily. Upgrading the punt production is an absolute must. Punt and kickoff return production must jump, too, but from what I've seen, put Benn there and block for him.
It's also worth noting that verbal commitments mean nothing until the athlete makes it official with a signature on signing day, which will be Feb. 7. I don't need to remind anyone about the Eric Gordon saga in the Illini basketball world, and football coaches are generally more ruthless than basketball coaches when it comes to trying to change a prospect's mind.
But Zook did a great job hanging onto his commitments last season, even when it appeared quarterback Juice Williams might be wavering.
How is Zook doing it? How is it that some of the most talented high school players in the country are picking Illinois over Ohio State, Michigan, Florida and Notre Dame?
The best answer I can give you is brilliant salesmanship, combined with the promise of instant playing time, combined with a wave of momentum that builds when one or two top recruits have the courage to start the ball rolling. Juice Williams, cornerback Vontae Davis and tight end Jeff Cumberland are among the players who stepped up to do that last season.
If this plays out as perfectly as Zook has it scripted, Illinois would land all of its top six recruiting targets and seven of its top eight, including quarterback Clint Brewster, son of former Illini tight end and current Denver Broncos tight ends coach Tim Brewster. One e-mailer from Colorado described Brewster as Kurt Kittner with a better arm.
I've said Zook must still convince me he can coach, but I stand in awe of his ability to recruit. His staff, led by offensive coordinator Mike Locksley, deserves a ton of credit, too.
Imagine Bruce Weber landing all of his top six recruiting targets. Imagine any coach doing it. It just doesn't happen. Now, get them signed and make this gold rush of talent translate into positive results on the field. Even Santa Claus doesn't deliver like this.
Zook delivering gifts to Illini faithful
CHAMPAIGN - It's been 25 days since the University of Illinois played a football game, but don't think Ron Zook has been taking it easy out at the mall, picking up some extra coin posing as Santa Claus.
Oh, having a Merry Christmas has been front and center on the mind of the Illini head football coach, and it's looking like Zook might receive a bumper crop of gifts based on the latest buzz in the recruiting community.
Zook's record in two seasons as the Illini coach is 4-19, but his record as a recruiter looks nothing short of BCS Bowl Game Beautiful.
Zook is expecting to get a verbal commitment on Thursday from D'Angelo McCray, a defensive tackle from Jacksonville, Fla., who originally committed to Zook's old team, the Florida Gators. Tom Lemming, the Chicago-based recruiting guru who is now regarded as the national expert on the topic, rates McCray as the 44th best high school prospect in the country.
One week from today, Zook is likely to get commitments from a pair of even more highly rated players. Martez Wilson, a gifted 6-foot-4, 230-pound athlete from Chicago Simeon, is expected to choose Illinois after canceling trips to Ohio State and Michigan and pulling the plug on an in-home visit from Notre Dame head coach Charlie Weis.
Wilson could land at linebacker but he hasn't given up the notion that he's a heck of a prospect at wide receiver. Zook's strategy: Get him signed, then figure out where he plays.
Lemming rates Wilson No. 15 nationally.
Zook is also on target to get a commitment from Bloomington Central Catholic's, 6-3, 300-pound defensive tackle Josh Brent, who has been a regular visitor on campus.
Those developments would come on the heels of Zook landing a commitment from Arrelious Benn of Washington, D.C., a top-rated wide receiver prospect that Lemming ranks as No. 9 overall. And the Illini are still in the hunt for defensive tackle Marvin Austin of Washington, D.C., rated No. 2 overall by Lemming, and running back Robert Hughes of Chicago Hubbard.
Zook's philosophy is to assemble the best recruiting class possible. Then stack another on top of it. Then one more. Then another.
By "stacking" classes, he can develop the kind of talent-rich feeder system that propels programs like Ohio State, Michigan, Florida and Notre Dame into the BCS elite.
No matter who Illinois lands, the football program is still a long way from achieving that status. After two seasons in which patience to win is granted due to youth and the growing pains associated with the transition of a coaching change, Zook will be expected produce a significant bump in the record this next season.
And I keep waiting for news of Zook getting a commitment from a junior college punter. That seems essential after freshman Kyle Yelton struggled mightily. Upgrading the punt production is an absolute must. Punt and kickoff return production must jump, too, but from what I've seen, put Benn there and block for him.
It's also worth noting that verbal commitments mean nothing until the athlete makes it official with a signature on signing day, which will be Feb. 7. I don't need to remind anyone about the Eric Gordon saga in the Illini basketball world, and football coaches are generally more ruthless than basketball coaches when it comes to trying to change a prospect's mind.
But Zook did a great job hanging onto his commitments last season, even when it appeared quarterback Juice Williams might be wavering.
How is Zook doing it? How is it that some of the most talented high school players in the country are picking Illinois over Ohio State, Michigan, Florida and Notre Dame?
The best answer I can give you is brilliant salesmanship, combined with the promise of instant playing time, combined with a wave of momentum that builds when one or two top recruits have the courage to start the ball rolling. Juice Williams, cornerback Vontae Davis and tight end Jeff Cumberland are among the players who stepped up to do that last season.
If this plays out as perfectly as Zook has it scripted, Illinois would land all of its top six recruiting targets and seven of its top eight, including quarterback Clint Brewster, son of former Illini tight end and current Denver Broncos tight ends coach Tim Brewster. One e-mailer from Colorado described Brewster as Kurt Kittner with a better arm.
I've said Zook must still convince me he can coach, but I stand in awe of his ability to recruit. His staff, led by offensive coordinator Mike Locksley, deserves a ton of credit, too.
Imagine Bruce Weber landing all of his top six recruiting targets. Imagine any coach doing it. It just doesn't happen. Now, get them signed and make this gold rush of talent translate into positive results on the field. Even Santa Claus doesn't deliver like this.
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Zook look all over No. 2 Gators
December 14, 2006
BY HERB GOULD Staff Reporter
When Ron Zook was fired at Florida two years ago, he and his supporters pointed out that he had recruited a young team that would blossom into a national championship contender. Now he has proof.
All but three of the Gators expected to start in the national championship game against Ohio State on Jan. 8 are Zook recruits.
''Even though we don't get to coach them, I'm proud of them,'' Zook said Wednesday. ''We told them when we recruited them, they were going to have a chance to play for a national championship. It's good to see their goals and dreams come true.''
Scorned during his three-year stint as Florida's head coach, Zook endeared himself within the Gators community this year by voting for Florida ahead of Michigan in the coaches poll.
''Obviously, they love me down there now,'' he said. ''But, yeah, I've been taking some abuse for that up here. I thought you were supposed to vote how you felt. It's not a slight to Michigan at all. I voted for Lloyd Carr as coach of the year. He's done a great job this year.''
Florida coach Urban Meyer gave a nod to the roster Zook left him, saying: ''It's a great tribute to coach Zook and his staff. This coaching gig is overrated. You can't get it done without great players.''
Zook, who reportedly is in the hunt to land a top-20 recruiting class at Illinois this winter, said he doesn't have any what-if thoughts about not being able to see his Florida recruits mature.
''That doesn't matter now,'' he said. ''We're here, and I'm excited to be here. We've got a great product here. There's a lot of people that don't think that, but that's fine.
''Building is exciting. We won't really know till February, but we're in the mix [for a highly rated class]. I know that.''
While talking about lofty goals to his Illinois recruits, Zook isn't using the success of his Florida recruits to make his point.
''I'm sure they're aware of it, but that's not something we talk about,'' he said. ''I don't talk about anything but the University of Illinois. We've got too many things to sell to talk about anybody else.''
Regarding who he'll be rooting for when his Florida recruits take on fellow Big Ten member Ohio State for the national title, Zook said: ''I'm going to be recruiting. That's what I'm going to be doing.''
Diplomatic. And truthful.
[email protected]
RON'S RECRUITSOf the 22 players who started for No. 2 Florida in the SEC championship game, all but three -- freshman running/ receiving sensation Percy Harvin and All-America defensive backs Reggie Nelson (junior-college transfer) and Ryan Smith (transfer from Utah) -- were recruited to Gainesville by Illinois coach Ron Zook. Here are five of the key Zook signees:
Chris Leak, senior QB: Four-year starter passed Danny Wuerffel this season as Gators' top career passer.
Dallas Baker, senior WR: Set career highs this fall with 56 catches for 897 yards, nine TDs.
Ray McDonald, senior DL: Versatile force moved inside from end after DT Marcus Thomas was kicked off team.
Earl Everett, senior LB: Gators' leading tackler with 78; had 11 in one-point victory at Tennessee.
Brandon Siler, junior LB: Third-team All-American is coming off 12-tackle effort vs. Arkansas in SEC title game.
Zook look all over No. 2 Gators
December 14, 2006
BY HERB GOULD Staff Reporter
When Ron Zook was fired at Florida two years ago, he and his supporters pointed out that he had recruited a young team that would blossom into a national championship contender. Now he has proof.
All but three of the Gators expected to start in the national championship game against Ohio State on Jan. 8 are Zook recruits.
''Even though we don't get to coach them, I'm proud of them,'' Zook said Wednesday. ''We told them when we recruited them, they were going to have a chance to play for a national championship. It's good to see their goals and dreams come true.''
Scorned during his three-year stint as Florida's head coach, Zook endeared himself within the Gators community this year by voting for Florida ahead of Michigan in the coaches poll.
''Obviously, they love me down there now,'' he said. ''But, yeah, I've been taking some abuse for that up here. I thought you were supposed to vote how you felt. It's not a slight to Michigan at all. I voted for Lloyd Carr as coach of the year. He's done a great job this year.''
Florida coach Urban Meyer gave a nod to the roster Zook left him, saying: ''It's a great tribute to coach Zook and his staff. This coaching gig is overrated. You can't get it done without great players.''
Zook, who reportedly is in the hunt to land a top-20 recruiting class at Illinois this winter, said he doesn't have any what-if thoughts about not being able to see his Florida recruits mature.
''That doesn't matter now,'' he said. ''We're here, and I'm excited to be here. We've got a great product here. There's a lot of people that don't think that, but that's fine.
''Building is exciting. We won't really know till February, but we're in the mix [for a highly rated class]. I know that.''
While talking about lofty goals to his Illinois recruits, Zook isn't using the success of his Florida recruits to make his point.
''I'm sure they're aware of it, but that's not something we talk about,'' he said. ''I don't talk about anything but the University of Illinois. We've got too many things to sell to talk about anybody else.''
Regarding who he'll be rooting for when his Florida recruits take on fellow Big Ten member Ohio State for the national title, Zook said: ''I'm going to be recruiting. That's what I'm going to be doing.''
Diplomatic. And truthful.
[email protected]
RON'S RECRUITSOf the 22 players who started for No. 2 Florida in the SEC championship game, all but three -- freshman running/ receiving sensation Percy Harvin and All-America defensive backs Reggie Nelson (junior-college transfer) and Ryan Smith (transfer from Utah) -- were recruited to Gainesville by Illinois coach Ron Zook. Here are five of the key Zook signees:
Chris Leak, senior QB: Four-year starter passed Danny Wuerffel this season as Gators' top career passer.
Dallas Baker, senior WR: Set career highs this fall with 56 catches for 897 yards, nine TDs.
Ray McDonald, senior DL: Versatile force moved inside from end after DT Marcus Thomas was kicked off team.
Earl Everett, senior LB: Gators' leading tackler with 78; had 11 in one-point victory at Tennessee.
Brandon Siler, junior LB: Third-team All-American is coming off 12-tackle effort vs. Arkansas in SEC title game.
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OSUBuckeye4Life
"THE" Ohio State Buckeyes
Got a verbal from D'Angelo McCray..........wow......just wow.
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bigtenuofIfb
Freshman
unbelievable get for the Illini.....ill bet the 21st Wilson and Brent join too...crazyness
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