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Illini FB: Freshman is getting praise at tight end
During his high school days, Jeff Cumberland was listed as a tight end by some recruiting services, while others simply classified the Illinois freshman as an athlete.
Hard to argue the latter categorization when you realize that last spring, the 6-5, 240-pounder won city championships in Columbus, Ohio, in the 100 meters, high jump and on two winning relay teams in his first year of track and field.
It was his first attempt at high jumping, an accomplishment he attributed to his school-record 77 dunks during the basketball season.
These days, Illini offensive coordinator Mike Locksley is comparing Cumberland's athleticism to the school's all-time great tight ends, even though Cumberland has yet to play a game.
"I recruited Vernon Davis (San Francisco 49ers) at Maryland, and they have similar characteristics coming out of high school,'' Locksley said. "It's too early to say he's Vernon Davis, but it's safe to say he'll be as athletic as any tight end that's every played here or that plays in Division I football.''
Cumberland will compete with freshman Michael Hoomanawanui for the starting job. The position was left open when Melvin Bryant left the team.
Cumberland had 25 catches for an average of 32 yards with 13 touchdowns as a senior at Brookhaven High. He was timed at 10.6 seconds in the 100 meters at the Ohio state championships and has run a 4.47 40.
However, he's not taking any-thing for granted when it comes to playing time.
"There's not going to be one starter or one player,'' Cumberland said. "We're both going to start and play the same amount of time. We get along real good. We study the playbook together. It's almost like we've known each other for a while.''
Tireless worker
Receiver Kyle Hudson suffered a mild hamstring pull this week and missed two days of practice, which is as long as he seems willing to sit. It was the first hamstring pull of Hudson's busy athletic life.
Coach Ron Zook wanted Hudson to take time off after he finished playing for the Illinois baseball team last spring. Hudson played 35 games as a freshman and hit a team-best .375 while also participating in spring football drills.
"We tried to give him time off because I thought at the end of baseball he was worn out,'' Zook said. "We tried to give him a week and he wouldn't take it. He took two days. It shows you the kind of guy he is. He has a little swagger now. He steps on the field and you know he has been there and done that.''
Camp chatter
Locksley said he hopes to use an eight-receiver rotation, similar to what Zook implemented at Florida. "We ask them to do a lot of running,'' Locksley said. "It's no good to have a receiver at half speed.'' ... Hoomanawanui was bothered this week by a hamstring pull suffered during the summer and was held out of contact drills. ... Walk-on receiver Jacob Willis continues to work with the No. 1 offense after a strong spring. ... Zook said he and strength coach Lou Hernandez have been impressed with the conditioning of freshman defensive lineman Jerry Brown (Vashon). Said Zook, "I told Lou, 'There's a guy that hasn't been around for six weeks and he looks as pretty as anyone on this football field."
Illini FB: Freshman is getting praise at tight end
By Stu Durando
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
08/11/2006During his high school days, Jeff Cumberland was listed as a tight end by some recruiting services, while others simply classified the Illinois freshman as an athlete.
Hard to argue the latter categorization when you realize that last spring, the 6-5, 240-pounder won city championships in Columbus, Ohio, in the 100 meters, high jump and on two winning relay teams in his first year of track and field.
It was his first attempt at high jumping, an accomplishment he attributed to his school-record 77 dunks during the basketball season.
These days, Illini offensive coordinator Mike Locksley is comparing Cumberland's athleticism to the school's all-time great tight ends, even though Cumberland has yet to play a game.
"I recruited Vernon Davis (San Francisco 49ers) at Maryland, and they have similar characteristics coming out of high school,'' Locksley said. "It's too early to say he's Vernon Davis, but it's safe to say he'll be as athletic as any tight end that's every played here or that plays in Division I football.''
Cumberland will compete with freshman Michael Hoomanawanui for the starting job. The position was left open when Melvin Bryant left the team.
Cumberland had 25 catches for an average of 32 yards with 13 touchdowns as a senior at Brookhaven High. He was timed at 10.6 seconds in the 100 meters at the Ohio state championships and has run a 4.47 40.
However, he's not taking any-thing for granted when it comes to playing time.
"There's not going to be one starter or one player,'' Cumberland said. "We're both going to start and play the same amount of time. We get along real good. We study the playbook together. It's almost like we've known each other for a while.''
Tireless worker
Receiver Kyle Hudson suffered a mild hamstring pull this week and missed two days of practice, which is as long as he seems willing to sit. It was the first hamstring pull of Hudson's busy athletic life.
Coach Ron Zook wanted Hudson to take time off after he finished playing for the Illinois baseball team last spring. Hudson played 35 games as a freshman and hit a team-best .375 while also participating in spring football drills.
"We tried to give him time off because I thought at the end of baseball he was worn out,'' Zook said. "We tried to give him a week and he wouldn't take it. He took two days. It shows you the kind of guy he is. He has a little swagger now. He steps on the field and you know he has been there and done that.''
Camp chatter
Locksley said he hopes to use an eight-receiver rotation, similar to what Zook implemented at Florida. "We ask them to do a lot of running,'' Locksley said. "It's no good to have a receiver at half speed.'' ... Hoomanawanui was bothered this week by a hamstring pull suffered during the summer and was held out of contact drills. ... Walk-on receiver Jacob Willis continues to work with the No. 1 offense after a strong spring. ... Zook said he and strength coach Lou Hernandez have been impressed with the conditioning of freshman defensive lineman Jerry Brown (Vashon). Said Zook, "I told Lou, 'There's a guy that hasn't been around for six weeks and he looks as pretty as anyone on this football field."
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