Is there any one big win that really catapulted your school into a successful program for years to come?

For Morris, it would be the 1979 semifinal win at Geneseo. Geneseo was the 3 time defending 3A champion and an absolute unit under legendary coach Bob Reade. 1979 was their first year with Larry Johnsen as coach and were 49-1-1 over the last 4 years going into the game. Morris went into Geneseo with 3rd year coach Dan Darlington making their first ever playoff appearance, back when you had to win your conference to make the playoffs. Morris stunned Geneseo 14-8. They went on to lose a heartbreaker to Mascoutah in the championship 7-6.

Northern Illinois University Class of 2024 Roster

My Take: In State Names from the NIU Class of 2024

NIU and head coach Thomas Hammock continues to get the Huskies winning ball games and Hammock actually announced the NIU signing class on location in Alabama as the Huskies are preparing for the Camelia Bowl this Friday against Arkansas State. NIU has been avle to fare pretty well under Hammock on the recruiting trail. NIU has built up a nice roster loaded with in state kids and this NIU program has stressed in state high school recruiting as a top priority. NIU always seems to recruit it's own guys....meaning that NIU will do its own homework, will recruit and offer kids they feel fit the system best year in and year out. Overall speed and athleticism takes the top priority when it comes to NIU's recruiting criteria and NIU will take a kid who maybe doesn't quite fit higher FBS level standards....and in more cases than not NIU has hit pretty well on it's share of those kids.

NIU Class of 2024 In State Signing Class

WR George Dimopolous Crystal Lake Central 6-foot-2, 190 pounds
DE Lance Ingold Rochester 6-foot-7, 230 pounds
OL Lane Mahnesmith Triad 6-foot-8, 320 pounds
DE Ivan Moore Jr. Kenwood Academy 6-foot-4, 220 pounds
S Taylor Powell East St Louis 6-foot-4, 190 pounds
CB Devion Reynolds Carmel Catholic 6-foot-1, 180 pounds

Which In State name has the best chance of becoming an impact player?

DE/TE Lance Ingold Rochester- Lance Ingold is no question that one name in this class who I feel could wind up becoming a huge steal and sleeper type for the Huskies. Ingold, who was a 190 pound player last summer has added some serious good weight and size and is near the 230-235 pound range this early winter. Ingold is no question a very capable defensive end along with having the physical tools to also become a hand on the ground tight end if needed. Ingold was also highly impressive this past season on the Rockets defensive line and was by far the Rockets best player on the field in 2023, which was another 14-0 record and another state championship run for Rochester. Ingold I feel has Power 5 physical tools and potential including possessing a big frame and wing span and for whatever reason many schools just never looked into him and/or overlooked him. I can see this kid playing well at NIU early then becoming potentially a prime name in the transfer portal if he wishes.

Sleeper In-State Name in the Class of 2024?

DE Ivan Moree Jr. Kenwood Academy or WR George Dimopoulos Crystal Lake Central- Kenwood Academy DE Ivan More Jr. was easily one of the biggest surprises I saw live in 2023. Moore Jr. has impressive length and width, plays with a non stop motor and is just a strong quick twitch athlete who also seems to have a nasty streak at times. Coming from a school that has sent several kids to the higher D1 level, I'm still a bit surprised that Moore Jr. didn't have more options/offers. George Dimopoulos was a kid who caught my arttention this past summmer at various team 7on7's. Dimopolous has an extra wide wing sped and width, runs really well and also has some explosiveness and hops. Hands? Really impressive in traffic and has the frame to get a bit stronger in a year or so. I can also see Dimopoulos end up as say a tight end in the Huskies offense if needed.

The One Who Got Away?

Chicago DeLaSalle DB David Coffey (Iowa State)- David Coffey is yet another prototypical NIU Huskies recruit....Coffey is a quick and speedy athlete with room to get bigger and stronger but who is also as close to college ready physically as you'll find in the defendive secondary in the Class of 2024. NIU was able to secure an early verbal commitment then hung on for dear life as more and more schools found out and discovered this kid from DeLaSalle. Iowa State came on hard and ended up offering and landing a commitment from David Coffey. Coffey signed on Wednesday to Iowa State. Unfortunately if you are NIU you will have a few kids who will havbe a few kids who you are going to lose from time to time....but at least it means that NIU was onto a Power 5 caliber recruit and while it's a recruiting loss for NIU no question it's one they can live with and a loss even the NIU coaches would have a hard time arguing it's a good move for David Coffey.

Overall Grade on the Northern Illinois University In State Class of 2024: B-

NIU and head coach Thomas Hammock has since Day 1 been loyal and focused on recruiting the State of Illinois high school recruit as it's primary area. NIU always seems to land a handful of eventual sleeper types who develop into big time impact guys. What will become more and more intereswting to watch is will NIU continue to get purged more and more from the Power 5 higher level FBS schools with NIL money to burn and open positions to fill?

NIU in this Class of 2024 has a very solid group here and in all honesty doesn't have a bad/clunker type in this group. All 6 kids have some potential and upside at the college level and it'sa good class when I don't even mention kids like Devion Reynolds or Taylor Powell or Lane Mahnesmith and all three have real upside and potential....again from top to bottom this is a really nice group of in state kids.

Hopefully NIU can develop and then hang onto this class and I definitely call this class a win for the Huskies.

Next: Northwestern Wildcats Class of 2024

Western Illinois University Leathernecks Class of 2024 Early Signing Day Roster

My Take: In State Names from the WIU Class of 2024- Western Illinois was able to ink 5 high school propsects last Wednesday which was the early signing period.and I would fully expect the Leathernecks and new head coach Joe Davis to add several more names come the February Signing Day period. WIU has seen several names leave after the 2023 season via the transfer portal and the new coaching staff will need to zero in on roster retention along with adding more new faces over the next few weeks and months. WIU named Joe Davis it's new head coach on December 13th so the new head coach has had literally days to get settled into his job and try to assemble a new staff along with recruiting. Davis, who comes from EIU was the Panthers quarterback coach and offensive coordinator in 2022 has been at several stops over his coaching career and his offenses have been highly productive.

Western Illinois Class of 2024 In State Signing Class of 2024

DT Payne Miller Princeton 6-foot-2. 285 pounds
WR Aric Johnson Kaneland 6-foot-0, 200 pounds

Which In State name has the best chance of becoming an impact player?

Western Illinois so far has signed just 5 players overall including two in state names. For the most part I fully expect WIU to have several more additions that will be announced for the February Signing Day period.

Kaneland WR Aric Johnson Aric Johnson is a big, strong and athletic playmaker who has been a varsity starter and mainstay in the Knights offense over the past three seasons. Johnson has really good hands, runs routes well and has a high football IQ. Johnson is also a fearless receiver who's as comfortable over the middle making tough catches as he is making the routine play. Johnson will need to continue to improve his overall strength and speed but his overall game and tools are a big positive here.

Sleeper WIU In-State Name in the Class of 2024?

Princeton DT Payne Miller- Miller has mentioned in his bio is a big, strong and pretty agile defensive tackle who has been a three year varsity starter and impact player for the Princeton Tigers. I like Miller's overall motor and his ability to shed blockers at the point of attack and then finishes tackles exceptionally well. Miller will need to continue to get a bit stronger at WIU b ut his game is pretty solid hereand this could be a player who can develop into a starter down the line for the Leathernecks.

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The One Who Got Away?

Geneseo TE Luke Johnsen (6-foot-4, 240 pounds) Illinois State- Johnsen, who is the son for just retired Geneseo head out coach Larry Johnsen was committed to WIU since late spring/early summer as a scholarship player. WIU made its head coaching change and left Johnsen seeking a new school to call home. Illinois State offered Johnsen a preferred walk on roster spot and Johnsen announced his decision a few weeks ago as a verbal commitment to Illinois State. Hononegah WR/DB Isaiah Houi was also an early commit to WIU as a scholarship player and Houi wound up backing out of his EIU verbal and signed a LOI last Wednesday with Eastern Illinois.


Overall Grade on the Western Illinois In State Class of 2024: Incomplete

Western Illinois did not have a good 2023 season and the program is undergoing some big changes. In steps new head coach Joe Davis from EIU who will try to get the Leathernecks fate turned around starting this coming fall. WIU is also leaving the Missouri Valley Conference and will play in the Ohio Valley starting for the 2024 season. WIU posted back to back 0-11 seasons now and are 2-31 over the past three seasons. The move out of the rugged MVC and into the Ohio Valley is a positive one I feel for WIU on many levels. No question the look for WIU leaving the MVC along with not getting to compete against several of it's in state rivals (SIU/ISU) isn't great but getting away from the stacked MVC schedule is a plus.

Hopefully WIU can go back to it's roots of playing hard nosed, fast and very physical football under new head coach Joe Davis. The Leathernecks for years have been a blue collar program who other schools did not look forward to playing year in and year out.

Next: Eastern Illinois

What a week for former Roadrunners. Julian Love gets his first Pro Bowl nod of his career!


Sharing all other IHSA athletes who were recognized for their Pro Bowl seasons. Please reply and I will add to original post below.

1st timers
Julian Love, S, Seattle, Nazareth Academy
Sam LaPorta, TE, Detroit, Highland High School

Repeat Pro Bowlers
Terron Armstead (5), OT, Miami, Cahokia High School

Announced his decision on today's All American Bowl game in Texas

Northwestern University Class of 2024 Roster

My Take: In State Names from the Northwestern Class of 2024 Northwestern and head coach David Braun was able to add 15 new names to its Class of 2024 recruiting class. The Wildcats had to deal with and overcome the fallout of the hazing scandal which saw the firing of longtime head coach Pat Fitzgerald and non stop headline grabbing for several weeks...and in many ways this scandal won't truly fade away for quite some time. Northwestern and now full time head coach David Braun was able to lead this program to an 8 win season and a bowl game win over Utah which will hopefully be the beginning of a better run of luck for the Wildcats. Did the hazing scandal impact the recruiting efforts? No question it did and will continue to impact the recruiting fpr some time in my opinion. Look for Northwestern to let go of some assistant coaches and add new faces to the staff as soon as the next few weeks. Hopefully the overall instability of the entire ordeal on recruiting will hopefully begin to settle down and adding new staff should also help the program on the recruiting trail. The Wildcats added just three names from the in-state ranks and while all three are very solid players with some upside and potential....if the Cats end up having all three names become eventual contributors all the better. Under the circumstances I would consider that a major win for Northwestern and the 2024 recruiting class.


Northwestern Class of 2024 In State Signing Class

QB Ryan Boe Batavia 6-foot-3, 200 pounds
WR Carson Grove Hersey 5-foot-11., 175 pounds
TE Patrick Schaller Glenbard North 6-foot-6, 240 pounds

Which In State name has the best chance of becoming an impact player?

WR Carson Grove Hersey- Hersey senior WR/DB Carson Grove (ranked as a two star by Rivals) had a very productive high school career for the Huskies and head coach Tom Nelson over the past few seasons. Grove is an athletic, speedy receiver who's capable of playing every receiver position for Northwestern along with being a truly jack of all trades versatile player. Grove has some quick twitch and explosiveness, possesses great hands is was also a very disciplined route runner. Grove's on the field instincts, football IQ and his overall work ethic and desire to just get better every day should also translate well. I can see Carson Grove having a chance at working his way into the Northwestern WR rotation sooner rather than later.

In many ways I'm also very intrigued by Glenbrook North 2 star ranked TE Patrick Schaller. Schaller has tremendous size and length and can end up developing into a real threat down the line for the Wildcats. Unfortunately I've been able to see Schaller in person once working 7on7 with his team this past summer and his overall physical upside is impressive over the next year or two for Northwestern.

Sleeper In-State Name in the Class of 2024?

QB Ryan Boe Batavia- Batavia two star ranked QB Ryan Boe, who had been verbally committed to North Dakota State since mid May and was also recruited by then former NDSU area recruiter David Braun ended up adding a mid December Northwestern scholarship offer by Northwestern and a few weeks later made an official visit, decommitted to NDSU and signed with Northwestern. Boe is coming off an impressive senior season in 2023 and in many ways I feel Boe has a chance to end up becoming a real steal for the Wildcats down the line. Ryan Boe has been a varsity starter for the Bulldogs since his sophomore season and his game has developed considerably over the past few seasons. Boe has good size (6-foot-2, 200 pounds) and is a strong athlete who can also run when required. Boe's biggest gains have come in the passing game over the past few seasons and in many ways his ability to make all the required throws along with his vastly improved football IQ and comfort level at the position has been clearly noticeable. I don't look for Boe to crack the Wildcats starting lineup right away....but his overall makeup, physical tools and ability no question is Big Ten caliber.

The One Who Got Away?

Joliet Catholic DT Dillan Johnson (Wisconsin) Dillan Johnson .was seriously looking hard at Northwestern for both football and wrestling as Johnson plans to do both sports in college. Johnson made a handful of unofficial visits to Northwestern and gave the Wildcats his verbal commitment in mid May. Johnson then backed out of his verbal commitment on July 10th and committed to Wisconsin. While Johnson never publically discussed why he decommitted from the Wildcats it's a pretty safe assumption that the hazing scandal no question was a factor here with Johnson along with several others who originally committed to the Wildcats who ended up backing off their original decisions.

Overall Grade on the Northwestern University In State Class of 2024: C-

Again it's very difficult to not lean on the hazing scandal as a big cause of the lack of big time names in this recruiting cycle. The Wildcats always will struggle when it comes to recruiting rankings and such for several good reasons. The in state talent that the Wildcats signed here is fine.....not great and not bad either...it's just fine. The lack of overall numbers of in state kids who signed is also a factor in my final Northwestern grade. The Wildcats also need to deal in each class with overall high academics and a very difficult admissions process and let's face it....in some years the pool of potential names that Northwestern can recruit is very limited at best.

I'm more than willing to give Northwestern a pass here in many ways taking into account the circumstances they had to deal with in this recruiting class. The good news is that Northwestern found it's new head coach and was able to win a heck of a lot more games than anyone expected in 2023. The football program no question earned some good buzz over the past month or two...and now comes the next phase. Look for Northwestern to change up some assistant coaches and to hopefully hit the ground running early on in the Class of 2025.

Next: In State FCS programs Class of 2024

If not avail do you know when it will be?

Schedules for all CCL/ESCC would also be appreciated.

Thanks

Did anyone happen to catch all or part of the Toledo, Wyoming Arizona Bowl game this past Saturday? The broadcasting was unbelievable. I think it was beyond horrible but I must admit I laughed at some of the stuff because I felt like I was in a dive bar watching the game with these guys doing the broadcast. It was a Barstool broadcast. And in watching it I felt like those guys were on a barstool drinking the product for too long.

I was going to include a link to some of the comments about the broadcast and the announcers but the language is unfiltered. A guy on Toledo committed a very bad penalty and one of the announcers said, "what an idiot!!" This kind of thing was going on the whole time I watched. I only saw the 4th quarter. I was just channel surfing and ran into the game. But I didn't turn it off either.

For those of us who want a somewhat professional broadcast and commentary, this wasn't it. LOL! But, look it up and see what was said. The post game comments are crazy. AND, the announcers were reading the comments during the game and making their own comments about the messages. I had to keep asking myself if this was real or a joke.

I follow my St. Rita Mustangs and I would buy them a true love affair with 7 on 7 during the offseason.

I don’t know if they’ve tried to do it in the past and I know they like the run (can’t blame them, they’ve had some great success the past 5 years) but I think 7v7 will help their young QB and WRs and more importantly their secondary as they enter a division that seems to like to pass more than power their way down the field.

What about your team for next season? What would you like to get them this holiday season?

In keeping with the times, I'd like to be the first to propose the FBS D1 District system. All teams must play each other within their districts. Winner of each district is invited to the playoffs with field being rounded out with at-large bids. In effort to reduce our carbon footprint, geographic proximity is our priority.

Honest question for the CPS followers here. Regardless of what others here say, what does CPS want in terms of football moving forward? Everyone talks about changing things, but are CPS teams happy with the current setup? Do they want something different? If the consensus is that they're fine with how things currently sit then I don't see where we need to keep discussing it.

Would they consider leaving the IHSA for football? I feel like this would be a good option for them. This has nothing to do with the kids because there's plenty of athletic ability on these teams but there are a multitude of reasons why CPS teams, with the exception of a very few, cannot compete with the rest of the state.

There's 82 CPS teams currently participating in football. If they were to leave the IHSA then they could classify teams however they wanted to create a more competitive environment and have the best chance to complete a 9 game schedule or they could choose to play more or less regular season games. They could have their own post season culminating in crowning multiple city champions.

Another option for teams that the CPS decides don't qualify for the playoffs would be going to 8 man football for those schools. I think some of those teams could find success going that route.

Sad News from Burbank. St.Laurence Jr OL Jaden Arroyo #53 a good football player & a great young man lost his battle with cancer. He came up short winning the gold ball in football this year but he won the ultimate championship in heaven with the lord

I was texting a friend with my schedule for today

11am ReliaQuest Bowl Wisconsin vs Auburn

12pm Citrus Bowl Iowa vs Tennessee

1201pm Fiesta Bowl Liberty vs Oregon

2pm NHL WinterClassic Vegas at Seattle

4pm Rose Bowl Michigan vs Alabama

750pm Sugar Bowl Washington vs Texas

when I realized that there are really only 4 days that I actually plan a Sports TV day and I rank them:

1. NFL Conference Championship Sunday

2. IHSA Friday and Saturday Thanksgiving Weekend

3. New Years Day Bowl games and Winter Classic

4. Super Bowl

EDIT: 5. Masters Sunday

Do you have a Fab Four or Top 3 sport days?

Happy New Year Edgyland!!!

The first inaugural was held at a local tavern, starting at noon today. Parking lot was FULL and spilled into the neighborhood by 12:30. Day drinking and Coach Schott will draw a big crowd in Belleville!

Guys from his early 1970s teams up until recent classes were there. The old guys are in their 70s talking about Coach as a young man and how brutal practices were. Hamburgers (modified Oklahoma drill) resulting in broken helmets and facemasks. Post-game practices that were lit by headlights if he was pissed off enough. Laughing recounts of head slaps from the old guard/linebacker for the Broncos. Heard stories about when he was the wrestling coach and how awful it was to roll with the old man as punishment.

For every story, there were three big hugs and tons of laughter. A different era, for sure.

The present and the past.

Mike Pettine Sr coached Pennsylvania powerhouse and often nationally ranked Central Bucks (CB) West High School for over 30 years and won 4 state titles. His record while at CB West was 326-42-4.

Mike Pettine Jr played QB for his dad and went on to be a DB for the University of Virginia. He became the coach of rival North Penn High School, which was trying to develop a program capable of knocking off CB West. Later in his career, Pettine Jr was the head coach of the Cleveland Browns in 2014-15.

In 1999, there were two documentaries filmed about the father-son coaching rivalry, one by ESPN followed North Penn's season while the other followed CB West in what turned out to be Pettine Sr's final season. The two teams were ranked #1 and #2 throughout much of the season and ended up playing each other twice.

Both documentaries are worth watching and can be seen on You Tube. The ESPN doc on North Penn is called The Season, while the CB West doc is called The Last Game.

Pettine Sr had a highly recruited 6'3" 235-pound RB-LB named Dustin Picciotti who ran for over 3,700 yards and almost 80 TD's in his Junior and Senior years. Unfortunately, his college career at Pittsburgh University ended early due to multiple concussions.

Eastern Illinois University Panthers Class of 2024 Early Signing Day Roster

My Take: In State Names from the EIU Class of 2024- Eastern Illinois and head coach Chris Wilkerson is coming off an impressive 2023 season as the Panthers posted a 8-3 record and finished ranked 24th in the nation in FCS. The Panthers fell a bit short of making the FCS playoffs as an at large but was in the discussions for several weeks leading up to the selection show. The EIU Panthers added 16 new names to it's early signing day roster and I would expect a few more names to be announced later in the February signing period as well. The Panthers stayed strictly on the high school recruits with this early class with 7 names coming from the State of Illinois.

Eastern Illinois Class of 2024 In State Signing Class of 2024

DB Dillon Conway 6-foot-3, 200 pounds Chicago Mount Carmel
DB Isaiah Houi 5-foot-10, 165 pounds Hononegah
OL Kewan Johnson 6-foot-1, 310 pounds Blue Island Eisenhower
OL Rahfeeq Katumbusi 6-foot-3, 312 pounds Chicago Mount Carmel
K Drew Schiller 6-foot-1, 164 pounds Lincoln Way Central
DL King Smith 6-foot-1, 311 pounds Decatur MacArthur
LB Jordyn Stewart 6-foot-0, 220 pounds Homewood Flossmoor

Which In State name has the best chance of becoming an impact player?

Keep a serious eye on both Mount Carmel signee's in S Dillon Conway along with OG Rahfeeq Katumbusi as two names who could find their way up the depth charts as soon as this coming summer. Dillon Conway is a rarity at really any level of football.....he's a tall lanky kid who has very good speed and cover abilities along with way above ball skills who could very well outgrow the safety position at EIU down the line. Conway, who played corner in 2023 has the frame and the look of a player who will add another 10-15 pounds over the next year or two and I can see him as more of a hybrid DE/OLB type. Again you won't see a ton of kids with Conways upside drop down to any FCS level schools.

Chicago Mount Carmel Rahfeeq Katumbusi is another name that could wind up making some big noise and a player who could develop into a longer term starter for the Panthers in my opinion. Rahfeeq has good size, great feet and strength and is a 300 pounder who can run and pull with the best of them. Rahfeeq was a multi-year starter for the state champion Caravan winning back to back state titles and he's played a ton of football at the highest high school level in Illinois. I've spoken to more than a few high level FCS and other FBS programs who thought they would have a chance at landing Rahfeeq as a PWO and gambled and missed landing him.

Sleeper EIU In-State Name in the Class of 2024?

Hononegah DB Isaiah Houi- Houi is a talented two way starter and a high level, twitchy athlete with impressive speed and burst who again has the ability to play on either side of the football. Houi was able to show over the past two seasons that he can hit with the best of them, has a very good nose for the football and also is a fluid athlete who back peddle ability and change of direction along with picking up the football is at a pretty high level. Houi still has some work to do including adding a bit more good weight and muscle but overall I like his ability along with his upside at the FCS level.

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The One Who Got Away?

Eastern Illinois went in hard on a handful of in state names and went head to head with Illinois State on both Maine West OLB Ben Cooper along with Hoffman Estates RB Matt Lawson. Unfortunately for the Panthers the rival Redbirds came away with signed Letters of Intent from both Cooper and Lawson. However. did anyone think a year ago that EIU would be able to hang with, then beat on the field powerful FCS power Illinois State? The answer is no and look for EIU to have better days on the recruiting trail against its other FCS rivals especially with another winning season or two.

Overall Grade on the Eastern Illinois In State Class of 2024: B-

One of the best college football stories within the State of Illinois in 2023 was no question the sudden turnaround of the EIU Panthers. EIU, who was selected to finish 8th in the 10 team Ohio Valley conference in the preseason polls finished with an impressive 8-3 record and also a Top 25 finish. EIU for the last handful of seasons just seems like it was stuck in a rut football wise and wasn't able to break thru the upper half of the Ohio Valley conference. EIIU head coach Chris Wilkerson brought in a no nonsense approach and a blue collar work ethic and made it all come together in 2023.

The EIU Panthers are hopefully at the beginning of a new breakthrough for the football program. I like the talent level here in it's early Class of 2024 and it's pretty clear that the State of Illinois high school recruiting will be a priority....something at times wasn't always the case in the past at EIU. Much like the rest of college football and especially at the FCS level....the Panthers will need to constantly deal with recruiting and retaining it's own roster along with monitoring the transfer portal for upgrades and additions when they arise. EIU is still a challenging job for any head coach...the facilities are incredibly outdated and the school/Charleston is also in dire need of major investments and infrastructure both in the athletics and academic departments....something that living in State of Illinois sounds good but these days is much more smoke than fire.

Hopefully this is more than a one year deal for EIU and I like the direction they are heading with this class.

A Spartan, stays a Spartan! Alessio Milivojevic commits to Michigan State!. Huge get for the Spartans and new staff up in Lansing landing the top QB prospect in IL by a wide margin...I will say I'm surprised that Illinois and Northwestern didn't make more of a push to land an in-state kid like Alessio with the ability and arm talent he has.. But very happen for the young man on taking his talents to East Lansing. Great player, and an even better young man!

Illinois State University Redbirds Class of 2024 Early Signing Day Roster

My Take: In State Names from the Illinois State Class of 2024 Illinois State and veteran head coach Brock Spack was able to ink 23 new names in the Class of 2024 and includes 13 high school signee's, 5 transfers along with adding 5 walk ons. The Redbirds Class of 2024 focused on adding new replacements on the offensive line (4), wide receivers (4), defendive back (4) plus defensive line (3) and linebacker (3). Illinois State finished the 2023 season with a 6-5 record and the Redbirds drew some playoff consideration, but a Week 3 14-13 loss to in-state rival Eastern Illinois no question hurt the program's post-season resume and ISU stayed at home in the FCS playoffs.

Illinois State Class of 2024 In State Signing Class of 2024

LB Ben Cooper Maine West 6-foot-1, 205 pounds
OL Mark Helm Glenwood 6-foot-5, 260 pounds
RB Mark Lawson Hoffman Estates 5-foot-10, 190 pounds
WR Luke Mainlander York 5-foot-11, 175 pounds
LB Dexter Niekamp Normal Community 6-foot-3, 225 pounds


Illinois State University Class of 2024 Walk Ons

DL Jake Bochenczak Providence Catholic 6-foot-5, 200 pounds
WR Gavin Camp Normal Community 5-foot-11. 175 pounds
LB Josh Gettemy Yorkville 6-foot-2, 220 pounds
TE Luke Johnsen Geneseo 6-foot-4, 240 pounds
OL Jace Pankey Iroquois West 6-foot-3, 265 pounds

Illinois State University Class of 2024 Transfer

OT JJ Guedet Washington Community HS/Minnesota 6-foot-8, 315 pounds


Which In State name has the best chance of becoming an impact player?

Illinois State signed just five in-state high school names to this class but I really like the overall talent level and upside of all five players amnd I really don't see any clunkers in this group.

On offense York WR Luke Mailander was one of the more productive receivers I saw live over the past two seasons. Mailander has very good overall speed and quickness, runs incredibly disciplined routes and has way above average hands and ball skills. In my eyes, Mailander is the type of receiver that the Redbirds have had success with over the past handful of seasons and if things go well Mailander could find his way into the Redbirds recevier rotation sooner rather than later.

Hoffman Estates RB Matt Lawson was a big time sleeper heading into the winter after his junior year. Lawson, who prepped at Elgin his first three seasons in high school transferred to Hoffman Estates for his senior season. Lawson made a name for himself last wintert at a handful of showcase events. Lawson flashed impressive size, speed and power including running a consistently strong 40 yard dash times. Lawson also rtaiused his recruiting stock in the late spring/early summert at a few college one day camps (North Central College) and the Redbirds offered him a scholarship and he committed to Illinois Satte on June 27th and signed him last Wednesday. Lawson as mentioned had a terrific combination of speed, quickness and power who's as capable running inside the tckles s he is beating opposing defeners to the outside.

Normal Community LB Travis Niekamp had an All State caliber season for the Ironmen and was a key player and leader on the NCHS Class 7A state semifinal team. Niekamp, who is the son of Illinois State defensive coordinator Travis Niekamp and also the younger brother of Illinois State LB Tye Niekamp has an impressive combination of good size and strength, showed excellent awareness and instincts and was just a consistently strong, fundamentally sound tackler and impact defender. Niekamp also has the size and build of a player who could wind up say playing wither at ILB or even develop into a defensive linemen down the line if needed.

Sleeper In-State Name in the Class of 2024?

Maine West LB Ben Cooper was truly a jack of all trades during his high school career at Maine West who was a three year varsity starter and an impact player on both sides of the football. Cooper, who played linebacker, safety along with wide receiver and is a higher level athlete who has also played baseball for four years for the Warriors. Once Cooper gets locked into the Redbirds weight room and training table on a full time basis...he possesses the frame and length to add good weight and strength pretty quickly. Again I'm noit totally sure on an eventual position for Cooper, but I do know he has a lot of upside and potential down the line.

Former Washington High and Minnesota OT JJ Guedet is an interesting addition and in many ways was not really a surprise to anyone in and around the Illinois State program. Guedet, who was a three star ranked linemen coming out of high school became a swing linemen in the Gophers offensive line rotation was also a familiar name and face to the ISU coaching staff since Guedet camped with the Redbirds for a few seasons. If Guedet can get back and put thew work in this winter and spring he can be a very nice addition to the Illinois State offensive line group next fall.


The One Who Got Away?

Chicago Mount Carmel DB Dillon Conway (6-foot-3, 190 pounds) added his first offer from the Redbirds back last May and dew the attnetion and interest of several MAC and FCS program. Conway also added an offer from Eastern Illinois as well as looks and attention from others but at the end of the day Conway inked last Wednesday with Eastern Illinois.


Overall Grade on the Illinois State In State Class of 2024: B-

Illinois State and head coach Brock Spack is basically in the same boat as every other in state FCS programs these days. The Redbirds continue to recruit the in state high school kids pretty well but now also are forced into recruiting the transfer poirtal just to keep up with the Jones. Illinois State added 5 very good pieces to it's Class of 2024 (again still not enough of in state high school kids who signed to mym liking but I'm always looking for more in state signee's). The Redbirds Walk On additions also have a few names who could very well add more depth and has a few kids who I can see ending up as scholarship players.

It will also be interesting to see how much longer Brock Spack remains coaching at Illinois State. Spack has been a huge presence at Illinois State and has had quite a bit of success pre transfer portal. Recruiting was already a non stop 24 hours a day ordeal and now it's gotten even more intense. Illinois State and every other program now needs to recruit and retain its own roster from year to year...then have to deal with the transfer portal issues, FBS and Power 5 teams now raiding your roster and such....I'm pretty sure that the head coaching position here and really at every FCS school has never been harder or as challenging as it is right now. A big part of tyhe letyter grade here for Illinois State for me is the combination of in state kids who signed along with a very solid walk on additions.


Next: Eastern Illinois

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!!

A couple of days ago I was sitting at my desk and the courier dropped off a package. I assumed it was one of many packages I get weekly. Anyway before I left for the the day I opened it to see what it was. To my disbelief it was an amazing package!! No note just loaded with shirts, sweatshirts(for me and my daughter) and a car sticker!! Red, white and blue!! St. Rita red, white and blue!!

Thank you @RockSoup for your kindness and generosity!! This really was above and beyond!! I have already worn the sweatshirt and gotten some interesting looks at MS! If you ever need a sideline pass or...... Never mind! Also if you happen to see Coach Kuska before I do , give him my best!

Southern Illinois University Class of 2024 Early Signing Day Roster

My Take: In State Names from the SIU Class of 2024 SIU head coach Nick Hill signed his 9th recruiting class for the Salukis and this might be one of Hill's most impressive, successful and most important senior class during in his tenure. The Salukis will graduate a highly successful senior class this spring and several long term key impact players will move on including QB Nik Baker and several multi-year starters. SIU added 14 high school signee's to this class along with dipping into the transfer portal and added 8 new faces. SIU positionally focused on replacing some key losses on the offensive line (4) wide receivers (3) plus defensive end (3) and linebacker (3). One interesting name added from the transfer portal is former Thornton Township and Murray State QB DJ Williams. Williams, who was the Murray State Racers starting quarterback in 2023 is a speedy and very athletic RPO style of quarterback who could get a very early shot at the starting quarterback position.


SIU Class of 2024 In State Signing Class of 2024

QB Jake Curry Edwardsville 5-foot-11, 185 pounds
LB Ben Fiegel Batavia 6-foot-3, 225 pounds
TE Karsen Konkel Pinckeyville 6-foot-6, 225 pounds
TE Aidan Moriarity Oswego East 6-foot-4, 240 pounds
WR PJ Winters DuQuoin 5-foot-9, 158 pounds


Which In State name has the best chance of becoming an impact player?

TE Karson Konkel Pinckeyville- Karsen Konkel is a multi-sport athlete from Pinckeyville who was a three star ranked tight end by Rivals.com was verbally committed to Illinois since this past summer. Eventually, the Fighting Illini dropped the offer to Konkel in late fall and SIU remained in contact with Konkel and ended up getting a commitment and signed Karsen Konkel last Wednesday. Konkel. wjho had late offers and attention from multiple Power 5 schools wound up deciding to stay at home and give nearby SIU his commitment which is a bit of a surprise and a big get for the Salukis.

In this day and age of the transfer portal...Konkel's decision to stay closer to home makes much more sense than it did maybe a year or two ago. Why? Konkel can stay closer to home, hopefully be able to break into the Salukis lineup as a true freshman and be able to explore more possible options via the transfer portal sooner rather than later. In many cases, I can see Konkel easily wind up back at the Power 5 level with a good early showing for SIU and in some cases could even boost his stock even higher after putting together some higher level FCS game video. Give SIU and head coach Nick Hill a ton of props here for staying in on Konkel despite his early commitment to Illinois and no question Hill's focus on recruiting Southern Illinois kids played a role in landing Konkel.

Sleeper In-State Name in the Class of 2024?

LB Ben Fiegel Batavia and/or TE Aiden Moriarty Oswego East- I joked with Prairie State Pigskin co publisher Dan Verdun that I would love to be at the first day of full pads at SIU and see both Ben Fiegel and Aiden Moriarty go head to head. Both Fiegel and Moriarty have good size, play extremely physical football and both just lead by example. Both kids are somewhat quiet off the field but then both seem to find a way to flip a switch and become monsters on the field.

Batavia ILB Ben Fiegel had a strong 2023 season for the Bulldogs. Fiegel is a big, strong kid who lives for the weight room and who also is a terrific inside run stuffing linebacker who can and will drop into coverage effectively. Fiegel showed impressive instincts, ran sideline to sideline to make plays and was a very vocal leader for Batavia in 2023. Fiegel no question has room for improvement including improving his overall speed and quickness....but Fiegel I feel is about as physically ready for the FCS level as any kid in the in state Class of 2024.

Oswego East TE Aiden Moriarty also has pretty ideal size, strength and plays with a high motor at all times. Moriarty showed to have very good hands and runs impressive routes and will no question have the ability to play either out wide or as more of a traditional tight end with a hand on the ground and become a plus blocker in the running game. Moriarty in many ways could also wind up playing a few other positions down the line if needed....and his overall size/frame and athletic ability could allow the Salukis to get a bit creative here if needed down the line.

The One Who Got Away?

Mount Carmel Illinois QB Blayne Sisson (Illinois PWO)- SIU was able to land a verbal commitment in the summer from this downstate dandy in Blayne Sisson who would eventually lead the Golden Aces to the Class 4A state title game. Sisson, who was recruited by SIU as a safety ended up having an All State caliber season at quarterback and posted some highly impressive stats in 2023 (4,074 yards of total offense 52 touchdowns). Sisson saw his recruiting stock rise steadily this fall and Illinois ended up offering him a PWO offer which he accepted and he discusses his decision below.

"Illinois already has all of it's 2024 offers out and technically I'm accepting a PWO offer," Sisson said. "It was really hard to call the coaches at SIU and tell them my decision and they have been great to me. In the end I just couldn't pass up an opportunity to play football for Illinois and attend a Big Ten school."

Overall Grade on the SIU In State Class of 2024: C+

It's a new day and a new era in recruiting for everyone and that definitely includes the in state FCS schools like the SIU Salukis. The impact of the transfer portal on high school recruiting is clearly evident this recruiting cycle. Schools such as SIU are trying to keep up with the Jones on the transfer portal side while also dancing a thin line with high school m coaches and recruits. SIU and may others need to remain loyal to the high school side.....yet the FCS schools are also getting it's top kids plucked from it's own roster at an alarming rate earlier and earlier thus making the FCS schools have to reload it's own roster sooner than ever before. Schools at the FCS level also have pressures to win immediately and that along with coaches having to recruit its own roster more than ever before makes this an interesting time to say the least for recruiting at the FCS level.

SIU in many ways has things going well including having a terrific younger head coach in Nick Hill, plus a team and program that has developed into a playoff regular in one of the toughest FCS conference in the nation (Missouri Valley). Sure...the Salukis have work to do this year in reloading at some key spots but the combination of the portal kids along with a very nice group of incoming high school recruits should make the hard transition a bit easier.

Next: Western Illinois

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First Team

QB: Robert Battle, senior, East St. Louis
Connected on 136 of 220 passes for 2,173 yards in leading the Flyers to the Class 6 state title game. Threw for 26 scores with only two interceptions. Also ran for 786 yards and nine scores. Threw for 14 touchdowns in five postseason games, including a five-score, 239-yard effort in first-round win over Lemont. First-team Illinois High School Football Coaches Association all-state selection. Signed with Lindenwood University.

RB: Dierre Hill Jr., junior, Althoff
Ran for 1,788 yards and scored 28 touchdowns as the Crusaders reached the Class 1A quarterfinal round before losing at eventual champion Camp Point Central. The 6-foot, 185-pounder rushed for 128 yards or more in 10 of 11 games and scored multiple touchdowns seven times. A first team all-state choice, he is being courted by numerous NCAA Division I schools.

DL: Iose Epenesa, junior, Edwardsville
Battled injuries but still managed to record 31 tackles, including eight for losses, in a seven-game stretch. Defensive tackle had 11 tackles and three sacks in 29-12 win at De Smet on Oct. 20. The 6-5, 230-pounder has received dozens of NCAA Division I offers.

DL: Jason Dowell, junior, Althoff
Posted an eye-popping 24 tackles for a loss. The 6-foot-4, 290-pounder was a nightmare for area offenses. He recorded 11 sacks and 56 unassisted tackles. An all-state honorable mention selection. Had 11 tackles and two sacks in an early-season win at Centralia.

LB: Isaac Phipps, junior, Cahokia
Recorded 13 sacks and 56 tackles for a defense that allowed just 13 points per game. Quick off the ball, Phipps had four sacks and 10 tackles in a season-opening win against Alton. The 6-foot, 205-pounder possesses an uncanny knack for the ball. A first team all-state choice.

DB: LeonTre Bradford, senior, East St. Louis
Led the Flyers defense with 91 tackles. Recorded 35 tackles over the first three games. Had two interceptions in a playoff win over Normal Community West. The 6-footer was a first team all-state choice. Signed with Purdue.

Second Team
QB: Jake Curry, senior Edwardsville
Threw for 2,223 yards, 29 touchdowns. Signed with SIU Carbondale.

RB: Evan Wells, senior, Roxana
Helped Shells started 12-0, reached 3A semifinals with 1,713 rushing yards and 31 TDs, 29 on the ground.

OL: James Herring, senior, Roxana
Lynchpin behind a powerful ground game that rushed for 66 touchdowns during a 3A state semifinal campaign.

DB: Cole Stuart, senior, Freeburg
Had two interceptions and a sack as Midgets recorded shutouts in two of their last three games.

UTIL: Christopher Bennett Jr., junior, East St. Louis
Returned nine punts for an average of 22 yards per kick.