(02-05-2015 01:38 PM)7 Wrote:  Oh come on, anybody who followed that situation knows Beckman completely botched Bailey's handling. I pull for U of I and EVERYBODY thought he botched it. Maybe "screwed him over" isn't the right way to phrase it, but Beckman totally dropped the ball.

Why wouldn't you redshirt him and give him a chance to improve if he can't throw? There's no defending it.

He should have been redshirted. I would have redshirted him had I been coach (but they never seem to ask me).

That's not what Ritz said, though. He argued he got screwed over his playing time, which I think is a separate issue.

(02-05-2015 01:43 PM)UIHuskie Wrote:  He should have been redshirted. I would have redshirted him had I been coach (but they never seem to ask me).

That's not what Ritz said, though. He argued he got screwed over his playing time, which I think is a separate issue.

Agreed. I think he should have redshirted but saying that he got "screwed over" in regards to playing time is something entirely different.

He's definitely worth a shot if the opportunity presents itself although it's a legitimate question as to whether he can throw well enough to play QB. If you watch any of his highlight films they are 90% runs and his few passes look like I threw them.

(02-05-2015 01:29 PM)UIHuskie Wrote:  

(02-05-2015 01:25 PM)7 Wrote:  I'll be pretty damn shocked if he ends up at an FCS school. He was the 159th best player in his recruiting class and the 9th best dual threat QB in the country. He'll probably have offers from BCS schools to transfer to.

Quite frankly, going FCS really makes zero sense. He'll be eligible to actually play two years whether it's FCS or FBS. The only difference is he just has to take his redshirt year if he goes FBS next year.

I don't think he can play QB in a BCS conference (at least on a halfway respectable team), but I also don't think he goes FCS. So...

I like what you're implying. Come on... say it!

I'm confused as to why the wouldn't have redshirted him. Were they really hurting for QB's then?

Feb 05, 2015 | 12:50 pm
BAILEY TO TRANSFER
Beth LongBeth Long
Midwest Field Reporter
Current Illinois quarterback and former Bolingbrook standout athlete Aaron Bailey has decided to transfer from the Illini. He talks about the decision below on Scout.com.

It's no secret that Illinois quarterback Aaron Bailey is about as athletic as they come, leading his Bolingbrook high school team to the 8A state championship both on the ground and through the air. One of the top prospects in the state of Illinois, he was rated a four-star recruit.
Since, Bailey has spent two years at Illinois, primarily being used as a rushing option at quarterback. Thursday Bailey confirmed to Scout.com that he has obtained his release and will look to transfer from the program, with his options wide open at this point.
"During winter break, my family and I were talking about the situation and wanted to know my take on it," Bailey said. "I told them I just want to play quarterback again rather I stay or leave. So that's when the thought of transferring came to mind."
Bailey has since taken the necessary steps to look at all his different options, and has several factors that he will be looking for when he makes his decision.
"What I'm looking for in the schools is a place that will allow me to play quarterback and allow me to put the team in a good position to win at the quarterback spot," Bailey said.
It wasn't an easy decision for the 6-2, 225-pound athlete to transfer, but in the end he felt that it was the right choice.
"The most difficult part was thinking about starting new all over again from school to football," Bailey said. "But once I got that over I was fine."
He added, "And I'm excited about the decision I made because I feel it's a step in the right direction for my career."
Moving forward, Bailey hopes the transfer process will be smooth and he can remain focused on his schoolwork.
"The goals I have for the transfer process are to get my degree at the end of the day in terms of academics," Bailey said. "For my football career I want to play quarterback and lead my team in the best direction to win football games."
Overall, Bailey leaves with a very positive impression of the University of Illinois, the fanbase and the time he spent in Champaign.
"I want to say thank you for being so understanding in my situation," Bailey said. "I have no regrets because this helped me grow as a person and I hope the best for Illinois."
Bailey plans to enroll at the beginning of the summer session.

http://collegefootball.scout.com/story/1...o-transfer

Quote:"What I'm looking for in the schools is a place that will allow me to play quarterback and allow me to put the team in a good position to win at the quarterback spot," Bailey said.

Hi Aaron...

It sounds like a fit, but in reality, would he want to potentially back-up Hare for 2 years and then only have 1 as the #1?

(02-05-2015 03:08 PM)BarsemaBone2 Wrote:  It sounds like a fit, but in reality, would he want to potentially back-up Hare for 2 years and then only have 1 as the #1?

What makes you think Hare's job at quarterback is secure?

(02-05-2015 03:08 PM)BarsemaBone2 Wrote:  It sounds like a fit, but in reality, would he want to potentially back-up Hare for 2 years and then only have 1 as the #1?

Unless Bailey beats Hare out.

(02-05-2015 03:08 PM)RedandBlackAttack Wrote:  

(02-05-2015 03:08 PM)BarsemaBone2 Wrote:  It sounds like a fit, but in reality, would he want to potentially back-up Hare for 2 years and then only have 1 as the #1?

What makes you think Hare's job at quarterback is secure?

You don't bench a QB who just won a MAC title.

(02-05-2015 03:09 PM)2015 Wrote:  

(02-05-2015 03:08 PM)BarsemaBone2 Wrote:  It sounds like a fit, but in reality, would he want to potentially back-up Hare for 2 years and then only have 1 as the #1?

Unless Bailey beats Hare out.

Won't get the chance to until 2016, even if he goes with NIU. No chance he'll beat Hare if the latter wins another MAC title in 2015, or even he just gets NIU to the championship game again.

I get what Barsema is saying, but do you think there's going to be a school he's going to talk to that's going to say "you'll be the starter in 2016." I doubt it.

(02-05-2015 03:16 PM)7 Wrote:  I get what Barsema is saying, but do you think there's going to be a school he's going to talk to that's going to say "you'll be the starter in 2016." I doubt it.

Nobody's gonna guarantee it, but if there's a program that looks to have an opening at the QB position in 2016, don't you think that would be a bit more enticing for him?

(02-05-2015 03:12 PM)BarsemaBone2 Wrote:  

(02-05-2015 03:08 PM)RedandBlackAttack Wrote:  

(02-05-2015 03:08 PM)BarsemaBone2 Wrote:  It sounds like a fit, but in reality, would he want to potentially back-up Hare for 2 years and then only have 1 as the #1?

What makes you think Hare's job at quarterback is secure?

You don't bench a QB who just won a MAC title.

Bailey cant play until 2016...but it would be harder to dethrone Hare if he won 2 MACCs in a row.

However what if we don't win a MACC in 2015?

(02-05-2015 03:19 PM)BarsemaBone2 Wrote:  

(02-05-2015 03:16 PM)7 Wrote:  I get what Barsema is saying, but do you think there's going to be a school he's going to talk to that's going to say "you'll be the starter in 2016." I doubt it.

Nobody's gonna guarantee it, but if there's a program that looks to have an opening at the QB position in 2016, don't you think that would be a bit more enticing for him?

To an extent, yes. But is there a program out there that's as good of a program overall and has a system that fits his talents out there better than NIU's? I doubt that as well.

What you're saying absolutely makes sense and it could certainly play into it. But he's an Illinois kid who stayed in Illinois and I'm not sure you're going to find a better fit for his skills than NIU.

(02-05-2015 03:21 PM)HuskieJohn Wrote:  

(02-05-2015 03:12 PM)BarsemaBone2 Wrote:  

(02-05-2015 03:08 PM)RedandBlackAttack Wrote:  

(02-05-2015 03:08 PM)BarsemaBone2 Wrote:  It sounds like a fit, but in reality, would he want to potentially back-up Hare for 2 years and then only have 1 as the #1?

What makes you think Hare's job at quarterback is secure?

You don't bench a QB who just won a MAC title.

Bailey cant play until 2016...but it would be harder to dethrone Hare if he won 2 MACCs in a row.

However what if we don't win a MACC in 2015?

If NIU drops to 6-6 and Hare throws double digit INTs, then maybe. If this team does what we all think it can next year, or even is in contention for the West next season, it'll be very, very difficult for anyone to unseat Hare at that point.

Of course, there's always the chance of an injury changing things, but that's a shot in the dark.

It's not like Hare was some wunderkind out there.. he's mediocre. Yes, hopefully his accuracy improves and he takes less time to make decisions as he gets more experience, but the guy we saw this year is not Jordan Lynch or Chandler Harnish.

If Bailey is something special, he'd have no problem beating Hare out for the job.

(02-05-2015 03:23 PM)7 Wrote:  

(02-05-2015 03:19 PM)BarsemaBone2 Wrote:  

(02-05-2015 03:16 PM)7 Wrote:  I get what Barsema is saying, but do you think there's going to be a school he's going to talk to that's going to say "you'll be the starter in 2016." I doubt it.

Nobody's gonna guarantee it, but if there's a program that looks to have an opening at the QB position in 2016, don't you think that would be a bit more enticing for him?

To an extent, yes. But is there a program out there that's as good of a program overall and has a system that fits his talents out there better than NIU's? I doubt that as well.

What you're saying absolutely makes sense and it could certainly play into it. But he's an Illinois kid who stayed in Illinois and I'm not sure you're going to find a better fit for his skills than NIU.

You're right about this being a good fot for him and it being close to home. But, as someone who expects good things from NIU next season, which would put the idea of a QB competition in 2016 to the sword, I just think he may look elsewhere if he thinks he'll have a better shot to play in 2016.

Not sure why Hare, or any QB for that matter, would be guaranteed his starting spot.