I can't help but wonder, does the rest of the country still feel like Illinois has no players?
So as I Watch Jeff Thomas put on a show...
- Thread starter emdee91
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Jeff Thomas is the most electric player to come from the state of IL in a long time. It's not very often that the fastest player in high school football is from il.
So what I'd really like to know is why he's waiting and hasn't committed at this point. Something here just doesn't seem right, is he a silent commit to Illinois like a few of the national media have suggested?
Oh, didn't think you meant of Thomas' caliber, but certainly that can contribute at a pretty high level. We sent two to IMG lol
IL produces players, but the "elite" talent isn't en masse. We are underrated but I understand why if you just look at top players. Lack of top QBs and DBs hurts the state many years. Stupid basketball...
To me is more the mentality behind kid development. We try so hard to prevent someone from having an advantage that we don't allow elite kids to become elite. If you can't afford $1500 plus in training there is no other avenue. Not having some form of Spring ball hurts as well for skills positions. There isn't enough time during the season for teams to see a kid play the sport in person. Example would be Basketball. Most Scholarships are offered over the summer during AAU when coaches can actually SEE the kids play. Once they find their player in AAU, they take visits to games during the season. Keep in mind they are only looking for 4 guys on average.
We are more concerned that if we do spring ball, it will take away from something else (another sport) or one team might be able to gain an advantage over another team that don't have as many baseball players. I know I just went on a rant but to me, the kids are potentially hurt in the long run.
Actually, if you look at the most heavily recruited states, the percentages of scholarship players that run track are WAY higher than IL. So I think the problem is the opposite of what you are saying. Urban Meyer, Nick Saban, and Jim Harbaugh have all gone on rants about doing 7 on 7 stuff in the spring and summer. They all agree that they would rather see the athlete play another sport. Track is the best because it is quantifiable athleticism. There have also been plenty of studies outlining the athletic benefits of not specializing in one sport.
Those states have spring ball and track sir. Illinois don't have spring ball. They love to see a kid do another sport but they all go to the spring ball game. Those kids do both in the spring, not just one!
BTW-I just watched his All-American game highlights! Damn that boy can play! I hope he picks the U.
I do too so I can shut my Miami buddy up about the inferiority of Northern players...
Florida "Spring" ball is in May. There are Illinois schools who start summer contact by the end of May once school is out.
There is a specific week on the IHSA calendar which is usually the first week of June. This is used for schools that go well into June.