2024 NFL Draft Prospects as Illinois HS Hoops Prospects

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tonight is the beginning of the 2024 NFL Draft.&nbsp; What you might not know is there are several former Illinois hoopers that will go over the next three days.&nbsp; See what familiar names you might hear names called this weekend!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bucky Irving (Hillcrest – Oregon)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Position: RB<br>NFL Draft Projection: 3^rd – 5^th Round<br>PHI Rankings: #121 overall in 2021</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Scouting Report On Hardwood:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Irving could flat out go!&nbsp; He ran the show for a super talented Hillcrest squad loaded with future D1 prospects where he was the heart and soul of the team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>The strong and stocky point guard on the hardwood brings it on both sides of the ball as was shown getting a steal on the very first play of the contest.&nbsp; It was his intensity and quick hands on that end that caught our attention along with his knock down perimeter shooting draining an array of threes en route to 25 points.&nbsp; Quick release with not a lot of elevation on the shot.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Gridiron:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Irving was a high profile running back out of Hillcrest that was electric on the gridiron with his speed and playmaking out of the backfield.&nbsp; That has translated to the next level.&nbsp; Started off at Minnesota and then transferred to Oregon where the last two seasons he has went over the 1,000 yard mark in each campaign.&nbsp; Due to lack of ideal size at only 5'9” he probably projects as a third down back at the next level that should find a home with his speed and explosiveness.&nbsp; Probably a late day 2 pick or early day 3 guy with running backs going late.&nbsp; Will go to a team that fits what he does.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Keith Randolph (Belleville East – Illinois)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Position: DT/DE<br>NFL Draft Projection: 3^rd Round – 5^th Round<br>PHI Rankings: #55 overall in 2019</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Scouting Report On Hardwood:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Randolph helped lead his team to the state championship back to back seasons being the anchor next to EJ Liddell.&nbsp; We wrote about him at the state finals saying<br><br><em>Randolph is one of my favorite players in the senior class.&nbsp; He is a top hoops recruit that if he chose that route would have been a no doubt D2 guy and even earn low-major interest. Instead he will be playing on the D line for Illinois.&nbsp; In the semis he was a beast down low.&nbsp; He is such a physically imposing presence on the interior with his sheer mass.&nbsp; That combined with how well he moves, as he is incredibly light on his feet, make him a force.&nbsp; Sealed off his man over and over.&nbsp; Such a great job positioning his body on the block.&nbsp; Plus rebounder and is a brick wall inside on D.&nbsp; Randolph had 19 points and 6 rebounds in the semis.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Gridiron:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Randolph is a 6'3” defensive lineman that brings versatility being able to be a three technique at defensive tackle or slide out and be five technique on the outside.&nbsp; Strong frame.&nbsp; His athleticism and scheme versatility should see him go late on day 2 or early on day 3.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Julian Pearl (Danville – Illinois)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Position: OT<br>NFL Draft Projection – 5^th – 7^th Round<br>PHI Rankings: #135 in 2018</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Scouting Report On Hardwood:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Liked what we saw out of Pearl on the hardwood as a big man with nice footwork and touch around the hoop.&nbsp; Saw him for his final two seasons of high school including this eval from Pontiac Holiday Tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Pearl is an Illinois football commit, but continues to show out on the hardwood.&nbsp; The 6'6” post was a force on both ends of the floor.&nbsp; It started with what he did defensively completely taking away everything Benet wanted to do inside with his length and athleticism as a rim protector.&nbsp; Plus rebounder that snatches them and offensively can put them back in for points.&nbsp; He had 9 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 blocks.&nbsp; For Danville to go deep in March Pearl will be a key!</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Gridiron:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6'6” offensive tackle earned All Big 10 honorable mention honors twice in his career.&nbsp; Excels with his athleticism and mobility.&nbsp; Good footwork at the tackle spot and uses his length to keep defenders away from his body.&nbsp; Looked at as more of a developmental prospect that could go in the late rounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->