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Illinois Fighting Illini (you'll see)

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Zook is a force to be reckoned with in recruiting...amazing

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Illini in running for Austin
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Defensive tackle Marvin Austin, considered the No. 2 player in the country behind quarterback Jimmy Clausen, has his eyes on Illinois and six other schools.


swapContent('firstHeader','applyHeader'); By Mike Farrell, Rivals.com
The Fighting Illini of Illinois have moved into contention for the nation's top defensive tackle, Washington (D.C.) Ballou star Marvin Austin. Ranked the No. 2 player in the country by Rivals.com, Austin is considering an official visit to Champaign, Ill.
"I'm thinking about visiting Illinois on Sept. 23 when they host Iowa," said the 6-foot-3, 285-pounder. "That's the same date that Arrelious is visiting, so we might go up there together."
Arrelious is Washington (D.C.) Dunbar wide receiver Arrelious Benn, the nation's No. 2 wide receiver. Both players are being recruited by Illini offensive coordinator Mike Locksley.
"I talked to coach Locks for awhile and he's cool," Austin said. "He went to my high school and he's recruited this area since he was at Maryland. I also spoke to Melvin Alaeze and he likes it up there."
Alaeze was the nation's top defensive lineman prospect in 2005 and is a freshman at Illinois this semester.
Austin's list has been narrowed to Illinois, Florida State, Miami, Southern Cal, Tennessee, Maryland and Virginia. Benn is considering FSU, Notre Dame and Maryland in addition to the Illini.
 
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A shot at history
Still seeking elusive title

The Public League remains alive for its first appearance in a state football final since 1982

By Brian Hamilton
Tribune staff reporter

November 5, 2006

The night before a Class 6A football semifinal last November--and, more significantly, another chance to wash away a two-decade, Public League title-game drought--anticipation nearly burst the doors of Hubbard's hotel rooms.

Speeches from coach Elton Harris and Public League administrator Mickey Pruitt, a player on the 1982 Robeson team that remains the league's sole finalist, had conveyed the game's implications. Only a year earlier Morgan Park failed in the same spot. So recognizing their own opportunity, and having won six in a row, the Greyhounds were appropriately keyed up--no turndowns possible this night.
"All the players were sitting up and thinking about it: `Oh, man, we've got a chance to make history here,'" Hubbard tailback Robert Hughes said.

And then the Greyhounds checked out early. Normal Community throttled admittedly overconfident Hubbard by 28, thus broadening the Public League's championship hump by one more year.

The burden merely to get Downstate is nearly a quarter-century old this season, with only Morgan Park left to carry it as the Mustangs advanced Saturday to the quarterfinals while Robeson and Hubbard both fell.

There are more, better players in the Public League pipeline, as evidenced by recruiting rankings. There had been no state semifinalists since '82, then two the last two seasons. Yet the talent has not translated to titles--and for that the Public League has many reasons, from losing players to private schools to players spread out among many different schools to players' family or job responsibilities that suburban powers do not face.

"The kids we have are tremendous kids," Pruitt said. "But . . . if we had more on one team, then we might see a change in the trophies. We got Martez [Wilson] at Simeon, Robert [Hughes] at Hubbard--but we don't have enough of them at one school or enough good coaches at one school where we could make [a title] happen."

A glance at the top of rivals.com's Illinois Class of 2006 rankings reveals watershed Public League talent: Morgan Park's Ramone Johnson (Tennessee), Demetrius Jones (Notre Dame), Chris James (Illinois) and Chicago Vocational's Juice Williams (Illinois) all in the state's top five. Simeon's Wilson tops the '07 state rankings, with Hughes third, Hubbard's Sean Cattouse 11th and Morgan Park's Marcus Thomas 16th.

It is an indication that the Public League's grassroots football programs at the elementary school level are working, and it also allows for some improvement by osmosis.

"Before I started getting attention, I wasn't coached about reading defenses and all the different mechanics," Notre Dame's Jones said. "Going to those quarterback camps, the U.S. Army camps and being around all the other guys getting quality coaching all their life--being able to take it back and spread it around was beneficial."

But rarely is the talent even as centralized as it was at Morgan Park in '04 and '05.

"Juice could do a lot of things," Chicago Vocational coach Chuck Chambers said of his former standout quarterback. "But it took us almost four years to find a kid that can catch a ball of his."

Also, suburban feeder leagues generally flow to one school. The Public League's pipeline has many tributaries. Often it runs off to private or Catholic schools--a fact many Public League coaches bemoan, but Pruitt won't use it as an excuse.

"You're seeing more and more kids with at least some experience and general basic knowledge of the game [entering Public League schools]," said Tim O'Halloran, an Illinois-based rivals.com recruiting analyst. "But they don't seem to be getting huge numbers out of youth programs that translate into huge numbers of kids following up and going to one program.

"Part of that is, a lot of [the schools] are spread out. You have a town like Morris--they have one or two youth programs, but 95 percent of the kids wind up going to Morris. You don't have that in the city."

But then there is Morgan Park in '04, a broken play in the fourth quarter away from Champaign. Hubbard was drubbed by Normal 34-6 last season but lost focus--"That whole entire week we were thinking about playing Morris [in the final]," linebacker Justin Hickman said--and never gave itself a chance.

Ultimately, there is one other common element year to year: a desire to be the one to break through. It will be someone, eventually.

"Who doesn't want to make history?" Hubbard's Hughes said. "If you don't, why do you even play? Twenty-five years is a mighty long time."
 
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Illini catch rising star in football
Nation?s No. 1 receiver makes oral commitment
By JOHN SUPINIE
COPLEY NEWS SERVICE
Published Friday, November 10, 2006

CHAMPAIGN - While the victories on the field haven't piled up, the Illinois football team keeps winning recruiting battles.

Washington (D.C.) Dunbar senior Arrelious Benn, the nation's top-ranked receiver, made an oral commitment to attend Illinois on national cable television Thursday night. He plans to enroll in classes in January.
"They're in a rebuilding process. I feel like I'll be a difference-maker," Benn said. "They are up-and-coming right now. They need players on offense.
"They have a young quarterback that's going to be there during my time. I plan on doing big things in the Big Ten."
Benn is "the most hyped player to sign with Illinois since Jim Juriga in 1981,'' recruiting analyst Tom Lemming said. "He's a faster version of Michael Irvin. He'll be Illinois' go-to guy for the next four years.
"That's the guy they really needed at wide receiver. He'll be an impact player as a true freshman.''
The 6-foot-2, 205-pound Benn chose Illinois over Notre Dame, Florida State and Maryland. Benn reportedly had given Notre Dame a silent oral earlier this season, but Illini recruiters, led by offensive coordinator Mike Locksley, always felt confident in landing Benn.
Locksley, a D.C. native, is one of the best two recruiters who work the area, according to D.C. coaching legend Bill McGregor of DeMatha High School.
While the Illini defense has shown great improvement this fall, the Illini were inconsistent on offense in part because of a disappointing season by the receiving corps. Thus, Benn likely will make an instant impact.
Benn chose to play for a rebuilding program that has a link to the D.C. area. Illinois freshman cornerback Vontae Davis is a Dunbar graduate. Dunbar safety Nate Bussey already gave the Illini a commitment this fall.
"It's going to feel like Dunbar again," Benn said.
Benn made an official visit to Illinois in September.
Although it's early in the recruiting season, Lemming ranked Illinois somewhere in the middle of the Big Ten Conference pack, battling with Iowa and Wisconsin for fourth place behind league heavyweights Michigan, Ohio State and Penn State.
The Illini still remain active with defensive tackle Marvin Austin, rated as the nation's No. 1 recruit overall. He attends Washington (D.C.) Ballou, Locksley's alma mater. Defensive end Martez Wilson of Chicago Simeon and defensive tackle D'Angelo McCray of Jacksonville (Fla.) are ranked Nos. 2 and 3 nationally at their positions.
Defensive tackle Josh Brent of Bloomington Central Catholic is a four-star recruit who likely will pick between Illinois and Ohio State. Senior running back Robert Hughes plays at Chicago Hubbard, the school that produced former Illini starter Kelvin Hayden.
 
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GOING FOR 2
Illini made strides, but Zook needs improvement in win column

November 21, 2006
BY HERB GOULD Staff Reporter
CHAMPAIGN -- No more excuses.


Nobody wants to hear them. Ron Zook not only knows that, he's tired of saying he knows that.
When Illinois straps on its shoulder pads next year, the only area where improvement will be measured is in wins and losses.
''We weren't hired to get close,'' Zook said Monday, summing up another lost season. ''We were hired to win games and take this program where it's supposed to be. We'll be a better team next year. There's no doubt in my mind.''
The Illini can point to some strides this fall. They finished second in the Big Ten in rushing behind Michigan with 188.8 yards per game -- their best average since 1978. They held opponents to 310.2 yards of total offense per game, down from 469.3 a year ago.
The only stat that really matters, though, is Illinois' dismal 2-10 record -- which is basically no different than last year's 2-9 mark.
If there's another two-fer in Champaign next fall, athletic director Ron Guenther will have an open rebellion on his hands.
The messiness was especially painful in turnover margin and net punting. Illinois ranks 117th in the nation, out of 119 Division I-A teams, in both categories. The Illini's passing offense, which ranks 101st, also was barely airborne.
There are some encouraging signs for 2007. Illinois will return nine starters on each side of the ball, though some of them will have to work to keep their jobs.
The offense, led by freshman quarterback Juice Williams and sophomore tailback Rashard Mendenhall, has a long way to go. But returning nine players from a respectable defense is encouraging.
''It's going in the right direction,'' said middle linebacker J Leman, who picked up his second Big Ten player of the week award Monday. ''We're excited about it. We have a chance to be the best defense in the Big Ten, and that's not just talk. We can be that good.''
Well, maybe not that good. But good enough to win some games.
The key issue on offense will be the continuing development of Williams, who oozes big-time potential. The true freshman from Chicago Vocational learned under fire, starting the last nine games after seeing significant action in the first three.
Williams, who turned down an offer from Ohio State, is the face of Illinois football -- and the key to Zook's turnaround hopes.
Williams is also a big reason the Illini have received an oral commitment from Arrelious Benn, a standout recruit from Washington, D.C., who's one of the top two wide receivers in the nation. The combination of Williams and Benn could help start the recruiting snowball rolling for Zook, who's in the hunt for more hot prospects, including Simeon defensive end Martez Wilson and Hubbard running back Robert Hughes.
The way Williams finished is a concern. He passed for less than 100 yards in Illinois' last three games, completing 20 of 64 passes for 237 yards and no touchdowns in that stretch.
''Who was struggling?'' Zook said. ''Was it Juice struggling, or some other guys? I know everybody looks at his completion percentage. Sometimes that number is [misleading]. If you go back and leave the drops out, you feel pretty good. You say, 'Boy, this guy's pretty good for a guy that's 18 years old coming out of high school.'''
Dropped passes were a seasonlong source of frustration for Zook and the Illini. Benn, who will enroll at Illinois in January so he can participate in spring practice, and Anthony Morris, a four-star wide receiver from Thornton, will be given a chance to show they can hold on to the ball.
Williams also should benefit from an offseason in which he'll work on his mechanics and developing his all-around game.
No question, the highlight of the season was Illinois' 23-20 victory at Michigan State in Williams' second career start. Thanks to their improved defense, the Illini also were surprisingly competitive in losses at Penn State (26-12) and Wisconsin (30-24) and in a tough 17-10 home loss to top-ranked Ohio State.
But Illinois' inability to muster its best effort in its most winnable games raises the question of Zook's ability to coach capable recruits once he lands them, which was a big complaint when he was at Florida.
Going into the season, home games against Syracuse, Indiana and Ohio shaped up as great opportunities in which the playing field was level from a talent standpoint. Illinois blew them all.
By the end of the season, the Illini, despite their troubles, were favored by the oddsmakers at home against Purdue and at Northwestern. They imploded in those games, too.
Is the problem youth? Inexperience? Lack of talent? Trying too hard? Coaching? Who knows?
Here's one thing Zook knows: ''No one cares.''
Why Illinois lost in 2006 is not the issue. The question is whether those losses will help Illinois win in 2007.
Because everybody in Champaign knows one thing: It's time to win.
 
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An ND alum friend claims that there are some fishy dealings involved in the recruitment of Arrelious Benn. Could be sour grapes, but the claim essentially says that Zook allowed to Benn that if he went to the Illini then Arrelious' brother, currently incarcerated, would, on his release, receive consideration for a football schollie at Illinois.
 
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Chicago Times

Piece one is in place
The dominoes could start falling for Zook and the Illini, who hope one big commitment can start a trend

November 23, 2006
BY TAYLOR BELL
Obtaining a commitment from Arrelious Benn, the nation's top-rated wide receiver and one of the top 10 prospects in the country, has been the next-best thing to a Rose Bowl invitation for Illinois coach Ron Zook's program. And with the stroke of two or three more pens -- which isn't out of the question -- the Illini could sign a top-five recruiting class next February, according to recruiting analyst Tom Lemming of CSTV.
Despite finishing 2-9 last year and 2-10 this season, Zook has demonstrated why he was athletic director Ron Guenther's choice to resurrect Illinois' football fortunes. He is, by all accounts, one of the leading recruiters in the college football coaching fraternity.
Two years ago, Zook signed Rashard Mendenhall of Niles West, a running back with national credibility. He was just as heavily recruited as Benn, but his announcement didn't have as much impact because he committed early.
Last year, Zook wooed Vocational quarterback Isiah ''Juice'' Williams, who has emerged as one of the top freshmen in the country.
But that was only the beginning. By luring Benn away from Notre Dame, Maryland and Florida State, Zook proved he is eager to compete with the traditional powers for the nation's top talent. Benn had given Notre Dame a silent commitment, then was impressed by what Illinois had to offer and changed his mind.
''Getting the nation's No. 1 wide receiver has other people standing up and taking notice,'' Lemming said. ''It has an impact on other nationally rated players. Great players want to go to schools where the other great players are going. When you get one, it's easier to get another one, then another one.''
Lemming said Benn's commitment also means that Illinois has moved out of the 300-mile range in which most colleges recruit. Now Zook and his staff have moved up to the big stage and have made a statement that they intend to contend with Ohio State, Michigan and Notre Dame for the top prospects in the country.
The addition of Benn to a class that also includes offensive tackle Mike Garrity of Batavia, defensive back Marcus Thomas of Morgan Park and wide receiver/defensive back Anthony Morris of Thornton has lifted Illinois to No. 14 on ESPN.com's list of the top classes in the nation. The incoming class also includes 6-5, 290-pound former Thornton offensive lineman Craig Wilson, a transfer from Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Va., who was rated as the No. 17 prep-school prospect in the nation by Rivals.com.
Now Zook and his staff -- particularly offensive coordinator Mike Locksley, whose longtime friendship with Benn's high school coach is tied to the youngster's decision -- are in the mix, or even in the lead, for at least five other blue-chippers: defensive end/wide receiver Martez Wilson of Simeon, running back/ linebacker Robert Hughes of Hubbard and defensive lineman Josh Brent of Bloomington Central Catholic, D'Angelo McCray of Jacksonville, Fla., and Marvin Austin of Washington.
Austin, the nation's top-rated defensive lineman, is a long shot. He is rated as the No. 1 player in the country by Scout.com and No. 2 by Lemming and Rivals.com. He lists Florida State, Miami, USC, Tennessee, Maryland and Illinois as his finalists. Though he continues to talk to Illinois, he never mentions the Illini among his top five.
''It would be the greatest coup ever if Illinois got him,'' Lemming said. ''It would mean the program has come of age quickly. They think they have a great shot at him. Benn and Austin [who attend different high schools in Washington] are acquaintances but not close friends.''
Wilson, a 6-4, 230-pounder whom Lemming ranks as the No. 15 prospect in the nation, has narrowed his shopping list to Illinois, Ohio State, Michigan, Notre Dame and USC.
But he said recently that he wants to be a wide receiver in college, a go-to guy a la Steve Smith and Terrell Owens, not a defensive end. It could affect Wilson's decision. How will Zook sell him on Illinois in the wake of Benn's commitment?
Hughes is considering Illinois, Notre Dame, Ohio State and Michigan.
Brent, a 6-3, 300-pounder, will choose Illinois, Ohio State, Michigan or Wisconsin.
McCray, a 6-3, 280-pounder who is rated as the No. 23 player in the country by Scout.com, earlier committed to Florida, then decommitted. He recently called a news conference for Dec. 14 at which he said he will choose Illinois, Florida or Georgia Tech. He scored a 16 on his first ACT, so academics could play a major role in his decision.
Wilson and Hughes, two South Side buddies who once said they might opt to attend the same school, have said they will make their announcements at the U.S. Army All-America Game in January in San Antonio. Austin said he will wait until signing day in February.
''If Illinois got those three [Austin, Wilson and Hughes], they would have one of the top classes in the country -- and other blue-chippers would want to come with them,'' Lemming said. ''Benn and the others would be pied pipers.''
Pied pipers? It already is being speculated that one of the state's best offensive linemen, 6-6, 290-pound Jack Cornell of Quincy Notre Dame, who earlier committed to Michigan State, might be persuaded to change his mind in the wake of coach John L. Smith's firing.
 
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Not to sidetrack the thread, but that picture of Kurt Kittner got me to thinking about my favorite all time hit of college football when he got his head bounced off the turf by Doss down near the goal line (and had to leave the field...bonus!).

Back on track, Illinois with their recent buzz in play and recruiting will be one of the more interesting developing stories in the NCAA the next few years. We'll see if they can crack .500 again and if they do...then things should really shake up.
 
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Boy, sure don't like hearing that Zook could leave. I like what he's started in Illinois, and his frenetic recruiting has gotten some of the illinois guys to stay home, and over three or four years will pay big dividends. Just that Illinois is being mentioned with the NDs, OSUs, Michigans, SCs for guys is huge.

Iowa has made a living over the last several years cherry picking Illinois kids, and I think Zook has shut that door (much like Tress did with Ohio boys and Michigan/Penn St recruiting our borders).

Getting that QB and playing him as a freshman has to show out to those recruits, so here's hoping he stays. Keeping the Big Ten strong at all positions is important to OSU as well as the rest of the teams.

:gobucks3: :gobucks4: :banger: I hope you're wrong, Grad, but pretty sure you're not.....let's hope that Zook has had his fill of Southern hospitality and stays in Yankeeland.
 
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Chicago Hubbard running back Robert Hughes apparently will make a visit the second weekend. Chicago Simeon defensive end Martez Wilson may not visit until January, when he may have already made a decision. Bloomington Central Catholic defensive tackle Josh Brent likely won't make an official visit after several trips to campus in the past five months.

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