'07 IL DE Josh Brent (Illinois signee)

[OSUBucks22]

Originally Posted by Frohlich

Brent has us at #3 according to what I read this morning. ILL #1 and now Wisconsin is #2 after he had a good visit to them this past weekend. I think this one is gone.

You mean like I stated 3 posts up from yours?

[Frohlich]

Sorry, couldn't remember where I read it (I read multiple boards). Wasn't trying to take credit for the information.

[OSUBucks22]

Originally Posted by Frohlich

Sorry, couldn't remember where I read it (I read multiple boards). Wasn't trying to take credit for the information.

Not a problem... We've just had a lot of repetitive posts in these threads lately, so we are trying to put a stop to them...

I think that the staff is well aware of where they stand with Brent and is looking elsewhere for DT prospects...

[unionfutura]

this one hurts, not only was he the top DT on the board for us, he also told the staff over and over for the past few months he'll go to OSU, which even though they were weary of Illinois the whole time, they took him for his word. Which caused us to slack off on other plan b type recruits. Gotta love recruiting.

[Padraig]

Originally Posted by unionfutura

he told the staff over and over for the past few months he'll go to OSU...Which caused us to slack off on other plan b type recruits...Gotta love recruiting.

Not trying to 'slam' this kid or any other for that matter because when he was saying it, I'm sure he 'thought' he meant it. (at least you would hope so)

But as we've seen, recruiting is a huge emotional rollercoaster ride for some of these young men. Add to the mix that schools are trying like crazy to balance 15-20 schollies with thousands of possible recruits and all the factors that go into trying to narrow down the pool (who will accept vs. who goes elsewhere...who makes the grade vs. who doesn't...positions of need...etc., etc.)

So it's when I hear reports like this that I try to "revisit" my feelings on other particular situations when it seems the 'shoe is on the other foot'...i.e., an athlete believes he has an offer and for one reason or another the school backs off, and the 'recruitniks' (mostly fans who have little if any inside knowlege as to what factors went into such a decision) go nuts about how poorly the situation was handled by the school.

Recruiting is obviously no exact science. When people and emotions and (mis)communication between 2, 3, half a dozen people are involved...things can happen leaving a bad taste in the mouth of one side or another.

And situations like this illustrates that it goes both ways.

So when it looks as though "one got away", as the latest info appears to suggest with Josh, I try not to bust on either side even if it looks as though (from my uninformed perspective) that "the situation could have been handled better" whether by the recruit or the school.

Good luck Mr. Brent...would've loved to see you in The Scarlet 'N Gray.

[unionfutura]

great post, OSU could've done more on their end to make sure they had a proper backup in place a) Brent backed out, B) Jeremiah couldn't make the grade. Maybe they'll still pull someone out of the fire to end this class, but I can't fault someone on changing their minds about where they'll spend 4 to 5 years.

[OSUBucks22]

Originally Posted by unionfutura

great post, OSU could've done more on their end to make sure they had a proper backup in place a) Brent backed out, B) Jeremiah couldn't make the grade. Maybe they'll still pull someone out of the fire to end this class, but I can't fault someone on changing their minds about where they'll spend 4 to 5 years.

It's kind of a vicious cycle... You can have backup plans, but at some point it appears that you are stringing that kid along, and you have to let them go find a school... So it is really a no-win situation sometimes (unless the original target honors his "silent verbal", then everything is rosy)...

Best of luck to JB wherever he ends up... Wish it would've worked out.

[RaymontRules]

Originally Posted by OSUBucks22

If this is true, then his comments to BK in the article I posted about loving Wisconsin's track coach could be a small tell-tale... We'll see though... Lots of rumors and speculation this time of year...

Folks on some of the U of I boards are sweating it.

I live in Chicago and all local indications point to Wilson and Brent going to the Illini while Hughes is probably 50-50 with ND having a slight edge.

Guess it all depends on the info you read and how you process it.

[JuiceMendyBenn]

Brent to Illinois.

http://edgytim.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=622987

[osugrad21]

Trash is split off.

Best of luck to Josh...

Illinois fans, make sure you remember where you are or you will not be here long. I hate trashtalkers in the recruiting forum....I especially hate trashtalkers after a 2-10 season.

No more warnings for any of you.

[HotMic]

Good get for Illinois. What really hurts here is that he told the staff (OSU staff) he was coming and may have cost us a look at some other guys in the time we thought he was heading our way. In any case, good luck to Josh in the future. 4 years is a long time, and the player should go wherever he is most comfortable.

[stxbuck]

Originally Posted by unionfutura

this one hurts, not only was he the top DT on the board for us, he also told the staff over and over for the past few months he'll go to OSU, which even though they were weary of Illinois the whole time, they took him for his word. Which caused us to slack off on other plan b type recruits. Gotta love recruiting.

This would seem to be a recurring problem for the staff-taking kids at their word. Unless a kid is from Ohio, I simply wouldn't do it-and recruit as if they are still in play. Hey, sometimes it bites other teams in the rear-look at what James Scott told the Gators.

[osugrad21]

Link

BLOOMINGTON -- The question comes frequently for University of Illinois football coach Ron Zook, former head coach at Florida: What is the difference between the Southeastern Conference and the Big Ten?

?The thing I say is, the biggest difference is in the Southeastern Conference, you may have more big guys who can run,? Zook said Wednesday.

In other words, more guys like Josh Brent.

Earlier Wednesday, the 6-foot-3, 305-pound Brent, a Central Catholic High School star, made good on his oral commitment to the Illini, signing a national letter of intent.

Zook said he sees in Brent what he saw so much of in the SEC.

?When you look at Josh, you see a 300-pounder who is light on his feet, plays basketball and is quick and athletic,? Zook said.

Cont'd...

[Buckskin86]

Brent named Pantagraph Male Athlete of the Year
By Randy Kindred
rkindred@pantagraph.com
BLOOMINGTON -- On the surface, life could not have been better. Josh Brent was a 6-foot-3, 305-pound high school senior with big-time college football recruiters salivating over his services.

He was rated the ninth-best defensive tackle in the nation, and the No. 5 recruit in Illinois overall. Ohio State coach Jim Tressel walked through the front door of his school for a visit. Illinois coach Ron Zook did the same.

Others came and went last fall, enamored with Brent?s size, strength and quick feet. He was a two-way starter on a Central Catholic team that would go 9-2 and reach the second round of the Class 4A playoffs.

Brent was off and running toward his selection as Pantagraph Male Athlete of the Year. He had the world by the tail, right?

Pantagraph.com | Sports | Brent named Pantagraph Male Athlete of the Year

[Tbuck]

Sounds like a special kid. I think Illinois got a good one. It's always good to read about the ones that we miss as well as those that chose to be Buckeyes. Just reinforces my impression that Tressel does a great job of recruiting "character" kids.