Illinois Football: Illini commits react to Ryan Walters taking Purdue job

In a bit of a surprise, the Illinois football team lost a huge member of the coaching staff on Tuesday morning.

The Illini have been one of the best defensive teams in the country. Defensive coordinator Ryan Walters formed this unit into elite status, and now he has decided to depart the program.

On Tuesday, Purdue football released a statement saying they had hired Walters to be their new head coach. This was a great hire by the Boilermakers, as Walters is one of the best assistant coaches in the country.

What does Ryan Walters’ departure mean for the Illinois football program?

This news comes as a bit of a surprise to me. I knew that Walters was going to be a strong head coach candidate, but I thought we would have one more year with him leading the Illinois defense.

I was clearly wrong, though. Walters is now going to lead Purdue, and I am hoping nothing but the best for him, except when the Illini play the Boilermakers. Then I hope we put a 50-spot on Walters’ defense.

At this point, though, I am trying to figure out two things. One, who is going to be our defensive coordinator, and we need to find this person quickly. And two, how is this going to affect the Illinois class of 2023?

There have already been some comments on social media about Walters taking the Purdue job. I was able to get a quote from linebacker commit, Antwon Hayden, who was happy for Walters and is now wondering about his current situation with Illinois.

“Thoughts, I’m happy for him (Walters), he’s a great DC. This kind of got my mind in wonders about the situation right now.”

Hayden also posted on Twitter the crying emoji. He wasn’t the only Illinois defensive commit to post on Twitter. Top 1000 commit Zachary Tobe quote retweeted the news with the simple word, “Woah.”

Newly minted four-star recruit, Saboor Karriem was also happy for Walters and remained completely committed to the Illinois football program.

“I am extremely happy that coach walters has accepted the blessing of being a HC, as far as my decision..I am 100% committed to The University of Illinois! ILL.”

Three-star athlete Kenari Wilcher shared his thoughts on Walters departing for Purdue.

“I mean he is a great guy and has really improved the Illini defense but coach Henry is who really had a impact on my recruitment, and with me switching to wide receiver, I’ve built a relationship with coach McDonald. And I’m still 100% committed to Illinois.”

Pat Farrell, a three-star edge rusher, gave the Writing Illini his thoughts on big defensive change.

“It sucks that we’re losing such a great coach in Coach Walters, but I’m very happy for him and what he’s done at Illinois! I am still 100% Locked in and wish Coach Walters the best of luck!”

This news is a bit jarring, and the now Bret Bielema and the rest of the Illinois coaching staff have some serious work to do to keep the current class of 2023. Walters is a great coach, and he is going to try to pluck some of the great players we have committed. The next couple of weeks are going to be interesting.