20 NOV 98

Updates on Illini recruiting,visits etc..... Illini have another commitment. Jim Ferguson OL from Morton,Illinois Ferguson is 6-4 275 OL that was recruited to play OC. Not as well-known as Chicago area recruits but supposedly had contact with 30 Division one schools....

Dustin Ward QB recruit out of Champaign Centennial is 6-3 185,has thrown for 2600 yards,19 TD'S this fall,his team plays Chicago Mt Carmel in the 5A semi-finals Saturday.

Here are recruits that are still interested in Illini,set up visits

Albert Poree CB 5-11 180 New Orleans St Augustine H.S One of the top CB's in the South. WIll visit Illini the weekend of Dec 4,also will visit ND,Miami,OKla. St.,Georgia Tech. His favorite is North Carolina but they have not offered,set up a visit,has always listed UNC as favorite. St Augustine is H.S. of Illini DB Anthony Hurd.

Scott Hunt LB 6-2 22O Newhall(Cal)Hart H.S. Top LB fm California. Has Offers for visits from Illini,Iowa,Oregon,BYU,San Diego St.,his Favorites are USC,UCLA but neither school is recruiting him at this time.

Robert Brown LB 6-2 215 Ft. Wayne(Ind)Harding H.S. Excellent prospect,will visit Indiana DEC 4,looking to visit Illini,Purdue,Michigan St.,MAC schools,thought to be commited to Indiana but is saying he is still wide open.

Jon Kowalyshen DE 6-3 220 Northlake(Il)Leyden H.S. All-area DE who set the state record for sacks in season,career. Western Michigan,Illini,Michigan St.,NIU recruitng him the most. I saw this kid play against Moline in the play-offs and he was all over the field,good size,quick off the ball,my only question would be if he would lose his quickness when he bulks up because right now he is quite skinny.

Ty Myers OLB/SS 6-4 200 Springfield(OH.)North H.S. Having great fall,emerged as Big-time recruit,was being looked at by MAC schools before year but now has offers from Illini,West Virginia,Pitt and Michigan,Ohio State looking at him,could grow into a OLB,runs 4.55 forty.

Mike Saunches TE/DL 6-3 240 Argenta-Oreana(IL)H.S. All-state 2a player that will visit Illini in Dec.,now getting attention from Indiana,Northwestern,also standout baseball player,runs 4.8 forty.

Two players from Ponchatoula,Louisiana are considering the Illini. Daveon Walker WR/DB 5-10 175 Two-way standout that is described as "quick and active",considering the Illini,Purdue,Oklahoma,Miami,and SMU. Walker likes LSU but they are not recruting him at this time.

Daniel Giles DE/LB 6-2 220 Ponchatoula(LA.)H.S. Very good prospect that had 107 tackles,11 sacks this year. Good student,3.5 gpa,20 act,looking to visit ND,Northwestern,Tennessee,Illini,and Oklahoma,likes ND but they are not recruiting him hard right now.

Charles Roberson DE 6-5 230 Fairburn(GA.)Creekside H.S. Chosen as one of the top 100 prospects in South by Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Will visit Illini,Mississippi St. in Dec,then Tennessee,Georgia,Georgia Tech(un-official)and Michigan in January,not qualified,has said he will probably pick between Georgia,Tennessee so?????????

Glenn Earl DB 6-1 180 Naperville (IL)North H.S. Anonther prospect that has emerged this fall,had great year,team still in 6A play-offs. Has 4.5 speed,can play both WR,DB,will visitND,NW in December then Illini,Minnesota sometime in January,also has offers from Miami,Georgia Tech according to Chicago Tribune.

Sam Aiello OL 6-6 300 Streamwood(IL.)H.S. All-area lineman that has set up visits with Iowa,Indiana in December,looking to visit Illini,ND in January,likes Northwestern but they have not offered him a visit yet,so Iowa is the leader at this time.

Duane Stone WR/DB 5-9 170 Evanston(IL.)H.S. Have written about great fall he had,will visit Illini,Boston College,Indiana in December,Iowa in January,Northwestern un-officailly.

Jon Schweighart WR 5-11 175 Wheaton Warrenville-South(IL)H.S. Having great year for 6A top-ranked team. Being more heavily recruited now after superb season he has had,supposedly has offer from Illini. I have read where he like Illini,then something else I read was that Northwestern leads so ????? But will most likely be visiting Illini,NW,ND,Iowa State,Western Michigan,NIU at this time,has said he will take all of his visits,decide.

Illini baseball team signed C Nick Tresniak from Tinley Park Andrew H.S this week. Trzesniak is also outstanding LB,6-1 215,I don't know if he will try both sports,if he will ever play at Illinois could be drafted by Major Leagues.

Clarence Young DB 6-1 175 Detroit Pershing H.S. All-city DB had 3 interceptions this fall,ran 2 back for scores,very good student,3.2 GPA,runs 4.5 forty,will visit Illini,MSU,Indiana,and Purdue.

Prospect I wrote about last time named Josh Parrish,TE/DL,from Washington state looks like he will stay in-state and attend Washington State,was considering Illini but not anymore.

Illini Safety Bobby Jackson's brother Marc has the Illini as his top choice at this time,Michigan,Arizona other choices,if Illini can get him early it would be good start to recruiting.......

That is all for now,GO ILLINI.
18 NOV 98

Illini have another commitment....Dustin Ward QB fm Champaign Centennial H.S told Ron Turner yesterday that he wanted to join the Illini. Ward has thrown for over 2300 yds this year,and Centennial is still in the 5A state play-offs(semi-finals this weekend). Ward had interest from Iowa,and Purdue also. William Loyd,WR that was arrested last weekend for marijuana possesion,has been booted off the team. Ron Turner made comment that this was not first time Loyd had been in trouble for breaking various team rules and was no longer a part of the team. A decision on the other player arrested with Loyd,Terrance Smalls,will be made later,but Smalls will not play this weekend.

17 NOV 98

For those who did not know Illini WR'S Terrance Smalls and William Loyd were arrested last Friday at Loyd's apartment in Urbana for marijuana possesion. Smalls was suspended for the MSU game this weekend,Loyd broke his leg in the Iowa game and was out the season. Ron Turner was quoted as saying he will gather facts about case,make decision later,but he did say that booting both off the team would be a real possibility.

The Illinois board of trustees are expected to approve an indoor practice facility for the Football program on Wednesday the 18 of November. The Illini are only BIG TEN school without an indoor facility. The building will have a 80 yard field,one end zone,ceiling high enough to punt in,projected to be open in the fall of 2000,step in the right direction in my opinion.

Mike O'Brien DL FM Chicago Marist who commited to the Illini last week had 10 sacks,65 tackles in 10 games this fall. O'Brien had offers from both Ball St.,and NIU but other BIG 10 schools(Iowa,Purdue,Indiana)were starting to get interested in him. He is 6-6 210,runs very well,and H.S. coach says "His best football is ahead of him." Pass-rushers are hard to find Illini feel he has alot of potential,room to grow into frame.

Illini recruit QB Christian Morton of ST. LOUIS Riverview has his team in the state semi-finals play-offs for their class. Morton is within 10 yards of becoming the ST. LOUIS area's top career passer (4642 yards) He is still hearing from Iowa,Kansas st.,and Michigan St.weekly about maybe changing his mind on his commitment.

It looks like the Illini will offer between 20-25 scholarships this recruiting year. The number will depend on meeting's with players after season,coaches evaluations etc....The emphasis is being placed on WR,OL,LB,and yes despite the troubles with the JC receivers Illini may sign 2-3 JC at various positions,but don't look to sign as many as last year,definitely looking at H.S. prospects...will hopefully have recruiting update later in the week......GO ILLINI.

11-5-98 Recruiting update

Mike O'Brien, a 6-6, 205# DE has verballed to the Illini. Mike played at Marist H.S. Just looking at the size, he appears to be a Fred Wakefield type DE.

11-3-98 Recruiting Update

Recruits starting to set up visits,interest in the Illini seems to be pretty good,kids from all over the country listing Illinois as a place they are interested in.

Cory Kipp DL 6-4 260 Riverside(CAL)North H.S. Top-rated DL fm state of California,had 22 sacks as Junior,has set up visits to Iowa(Dec 10),Arizona State(Jan 8 or 15),will choose next visits from Illini,Washington,USC,and Nebraska(was at summer camp this year)has said he will take all his visits then decide...

Andy Zetts LB/FB 6-2 236 Youngstown(OHIO) Boardman H.S. Plays in the tough Steel Valley Conference which will have 8-12 Division 1 signees this year. Excellent student that has heard from everyone from the Ivy league to Big Ten,Big East and the academies. Plays both FB/MLB. Favorites right now are Army,Illini,West Virginia,Rutgers,BC and the Naval Academy,has not set up any visits yet.

Duane Stone RB/ATH 5-9 175 Evanston(IL.)H.S. Fast rising prospect who had a great fall. Ran for 1609 yds,31 tds in 9 games(team was beaten in first round of playoffs last weekend) Has set visits with BC(offer),Iowa State(offer) and reportedly has offers from the Illini,NW,Louisville,Indiana. Stone will qualify,has 4.5 speed,being looked at more as DB,WR then a Running back,read where one coach felt Stone was as athletic as Rich East All-everything DB Richard Mc Nutt.

Robert May LB 6-1 220 Waukegan(IL)H.S. Little known before season but another kid that had a great season. Dominated at Mlb position. Has made amazing 285 tackles in his career,set some sort of national record. Has heard from Illini,NIU,Wisconsin,many of the MAC Schools.

Tony Charles DE 6-3 245 Hyattsville(MD)De Matha HS. Pre-season All-American. Very heavily recruited,runs 4.65 forty,as of 30 October he had not set up any visits. Will choose between BC,Maryland,Illini,Syracuse,N.C. St.,NW,UNC for visits. H.S coach says Charles has offers from all of the schools mentioned,looking for the chance to play early.....

Anthony Falbo DL 6-4 260 River Grove(IL.)Holy Cross H.S. Had a great fall,18 sacks,5 caused fumbles in 9 games. Had 6 sacks in one game...level of competition may be a question(4a)supposedly runs 4.8 forty,Has always listed Illini highly. Hearing from NIU(Offer),Miami(Fla),NW,Ball St.,Georgia Tech,Kentucky along with the Illini.

Obidiah Harris LB 6-3 225 Chillicothe(OH.) H.S. Highly thought of LB from Ohio. Ohio State not recruiting him because they have three LB committments from in-state prospects at position. Runs 4.65 forty,will qualify. Will visit South Carolina in November(head Coach at school may be fired so???)looking to visit Illini,Mississippi,and West Virginia. Has relatives in the south so that may have effect on decision.

Tavares Spillman WR/DB 6-0 180 Hollywood Hills(FLA)H.S Dania,Fla. Difference-maker type player. All-Broward county as Junior. Teams this fall double-triple teaming him so only has 18 catches for 326 yds,3 tds,opponents don't even throw his way when he plays CB. Two weeks ago he had two kick-off returns for TD's(90,88 yds) when opponents kicked to him. Standout in basketball being recruited by Cincinnati,Florida State,and Georgia in that sport. In football lists Illini,Ohio St,Miami, and Louisville the schools most interested in,says he wants to go to school as far away from south Florida as possible. Runs 4.45 forty ,grades may be a problem,is taking extra math,english courses to catch up on academics.... (source Ft Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel)

Josh Parrish TE/DL 6-6 245 Chewelah(WASH)Jenkins H.S. Came across this name when looking for information on someone else. Newspaper article about this kid stating he is playing like "a man among boys" for this small High school north of Spokane,Washington. Parrish is listed as one of the top players in state by Lemming,runs 4.9 forty,some schools looking him at TightEnd,others as DL. Looking to visit Michigan,Nebraska,Illini,UCLA,has been to Washington,Washington State Un-officially,favorite was Michigan but they are not recruiitng him as hard these days. (Source:Spokane Spokesman-Review)

Brandon Latta RB 6-0 220 Arlington Heights(IL.)St. Viator Son of former Bear TE Greg Latta. Looking to set up visits with the Illini,Iowa,Indiana. Latta reportedly has offers from MAC schools. As I have stated before I do not think RB is a recruiting priority this year so maybe they are looking at this kid at another postiion????

In other news......

Joe Patrick OL from Michigan had considered the Illini for a visit but now has crossed them of his list,will visit Ohio St.,NW,Michigan ST.,ND,and Michigan.

Illini Target Keiwan Ratliff WR fm Columbus,Ohio will visit the University of Florida next weekend.

Thornwood (IL.)Linebacker Darrell Campbell has set up visits with Indiana(Dec 4),Purdue(Dec 11),Illini(Dec 18),looking at Michigan St(where former Illini Assistant Chris Cosh is Recruiting him),and NW.

In article last week in the Champaign N-G,Oak Park-River Forest QB Talmedge Hill was very enthusiatic about helping the Illini turn around the program,so Illini may lead for him

Reported that Brandon Tomerlin DB/QB fm Superior,Arizona had committed to ASU but will still visit Illini,Cal. Trying to find out more info. on this so next week update will have it....hopefully. Tomerlin is a top prospect who is very good QB but will play DB in college...

Until next time...GO ILLINI.

10-22-98 Updates on some recruits

Aaron Hodges,Brother of Illini TE Brian,will officially visit ILLINI the weekend of November 14(off-weekend),also looking at Northwestern,B.C.,Ohio State and Michigan State....says that he will take all visits then decide,I do not know where the Illini stand because Hodges has said Illini lead,then NW lead,all schools even changed his visit date fm Dec to Nov,so you're guess is as good as mine. Hodges is a Offensive lineman from Rich Central H.S.

Here are some Wide Receivers the Illini are looking at.

Brandon Johnson wr 6-5 200 4.6 fm New Lenox(IL)Providence H.S. Johnson is a big-kid with good size,decent speed,also basketball player and would like opportunity to play both in college. Illini,Iowa,Minnesota and several Mac teams in contact.....

Rob Garnes WR 6-4 185 Rolling Meadows(IL.)H.S. Kid that has really come on this fall,also outstanding basketball player,will decide between sports but coaches feel he would be outstanding in Football....Illini,along with numerous Big 10,Big 12 and SEC Schools looking at Garnes.

Keiwan Ratliff WR 6-0 170 Columbus(OH.)Whitehall H.S. Was named second team all-state as DB last year,reportedly has 38 inch vertical leap,has grades to qualify,has been offered by Illini,Penn St.,Michigan St.,hearing alot from Ohio State, Michigan...OSU,UM recruiting him more as DB then WR...... Good chance Illini can get a visit from him

Junior Masco WR 5-11 170 Las Vegas Eldorado H.S. Has 4.5 speed also plays DB,plays in a running offense so he does not get alot chances to catch ball,Illini,Wac teams and Oregon,Washington St. involved....

Other Propspects Illini interested in:

Charles Frazier RB 5-11 180 Chicago Hubbard H.S. May be top back in state,with all the running backs at Illinois he may be recruited as a athlete,Miami is making a push for him along with the Illini,Northwestern,Kentucky and Michigan St... but he may have a bit of a grade problem so we shall see....

Nick Setta PK Lockport H.S.(IL.) All-state kicker looking to visit Michigan,Notre Dame(childhood favorite)Illini,Miami...I think I read where he also would like to run cross-country(all-state)liked UCLA alot but apparently they called him,told they had a FR. kicker they were happy with and were not recruiitng him anymore.......

Joe Patrick OL 6-7 308 Ihtaca H.S. Michigan One of the top lineman in the Midwest...looking at Illini but Michigan State leads(has relatives with ties to school) but he still is thinking of visiting ILLINI,Notre Dame,Northwestern, and Ohio State......

Fred Bateman LB/DE 6-1 220 Chicago Hubbard H.S. Another kid that has come on this fall,H.S. coach feels he should qualify,being recruited by Illini,Georgia Tech,Virginia,Utah....

Talmadge Hill QB/ATH. 6-0 185 Oak Park-River Forest (IL.) H.S. Having a great year at QB,but being recruited as a DB,Father played for Bears(Ike Hill),Illini,Georgia Tech,and Purdue top schools right now with GT leading.....

Philip Macklin LB 6-2 220 Proviso East H.S.(IL.) May be top player in Chicago area this fall,makes plays all over field,has grades problems and will not qualify his first year, but Illini,Michigan St.,Northern Illinois and Nebraska willing recruit him,wait,he is that good.....

Now some news on other prospects in the State of Illinois

Yaacov Yisrael WR Palantine H.S,looking at Georgia Tech, (has relatives in area),Penn State and NW,has not mentioned Illini in awhile

Octavious Bond WR Chicago Mt. Carmel H.S. Supposedly has ND offer,not listing Illini among many schools.

Tony Pape OL Hinsdale South H.S. Pape has set up visits to Michigan,Ohio State,Tennessee,Miami,and UCLA,has been on campus at Illinois but again is not mentioning the Illini.

Tim Olmstead LB Kankakee Bishop Mc Namara Looking at many schools(Miami,Kentucky,ND,Purdue)but not ILLINI.

Richard Mc Nutt DB Rich East H.S. Penn St.,NW,Ohio State and Michigan seem to be his top four.

Jarrett Payton QB/ATH Arlington HTS. St Viator H.S. Son of Walter,has set up visits with Miami,ND,and Indiana,does not mention the Illini yet....I have seen the Illini mentioned with kids from the west coast just do not know if/when they will visit when I get the information I will post it.

10-7-98 Finally some updates....Illini starting to set up visits for recruits in December,January,I will give some names that I know,the staff was in both St. Louis,Chicago on October 1,first day to have some face-to-face contact with prospects(I think),setting up visits with some prospects. I have gathered this information from various newspapers,recruiting sites.... Mark Jackson DB fm Corvallis,Oregon Top-rated recruit in the state,brother of Illini Free Safety Bobby,will visit Michigan Dec 4th,Illini the next weekend and then ND in January,very good article in Oregon newspaper about how Mark is being more highly-recruited then his brother..... Aaron Hodges ol Rich Central will visit Illini in December,also will visit Michigan State,Northwestern,very highly thought OL,brother of TE Brian,had said Illini lead but now says no school is the leader Sean Bubin OL Rantoul,Illinois All-state lineman,heavily recruited by many Big Ten schools,Illini had been the leader but Bubin now says he likes Purdue,Ohio State along with Illini,will officially visit Illini,Purdue,Ohio State,Iowa and Michigan State,for those who do not know,Bubin's Teammate Dwayne Smith has committed to the Illini.... Darrell Campbell LB Thornwood H.S. Illinois Kid who has alot of potential,but in Lemmings book he stated that Campbell needs to be more aggressive???? Has excellent grades,good size,will visit the Illini,Michigan State,has said both have offered him a scholarship... Adrien Clarke OL 6-7 320 Shaker Heights,Ohio State of Ohio's top rated Offensive lineman,will visit Illini either Dec 4TH,11th longshot to get him though,has Ohio State as favorite followed by Michigan State,if he does not make up his mind by December he will visit the Illini....... Russ Michna QB Hoffman Estate Illinois Conant Very highly rated QB who looked great at the Illini summer camp,still interested in visiting despite Morton's commitment,also likes Iowa,Syracuse,Indiana and Michigan State,I do not know if Illini will recruit another QB....... Should have more information soon,have added taken off few names on recruiting lists....
8-15-98

Looks like Mark Hoekstra has done more in one day of practice than all of last year. Go to:

http://www.fightingillini.com/htm/football/headlines.html

The St. Louis paper has a few nice articles. Go to:

http://www.stlnet.com/postnet/sports/illini.nsf

8-13-98
I'm glad no one took me up on my bet. I would have lost. Christian Morton has verbaled to Illinois. Seems like a real nice catch. There is an article on one of the top conferences in Missouri with a little info on Christian. Go to:

http://www.statsonline.com/statsonline/football/preview/SuburbanNorth.htm

On a side note - Carlos Lattimore will join the football team barring any academic problems (Clearinghouse????).

8-12-98
Hmmmm. I've checked the source that supposedly was reporting the verbal to Iowa and what I found was that they were actually reporting Illinois? I decided to check the source myself after reading it second hand the first time. Maybe we have our second verbal? Looks a little more promising at this point. For a small blurb on Christian go to:

http://www.fansonly.com/channels/recruiting/1998hodgerec/hodgerec123.html

I love some of these recruiting sources. Christian is now the top Missouri/Kansas QB according to PrepStar. The only problem...He still isn't even in their database? As far as I can tell today is the 1st day they ever mentioned Christian. However, now he is the top PrepStar QB in the region. I guess I'll take it. Turner continues to recruit speed (I hope).


8-12-98
Well, who is it, Iowa or Illinois? Recuiting sources have stated Christian Morton a 6-3 175 QB out of Riverview Gardens MO has verballed to Iowa. Other sources have stated Illinois! My bet, Iowa. However, River Gardens was in the seven-on-seven Illini passing camp. Christian is also a fast player, reported 4.3 fourty (means nothing other than he is faster than then average skills player - maybe?)so with two QB's from last year if Christian didn't work out at QB he has many other options. While this makes sense for Illinois my $$ is on Iowa. We'll see how is shakes down. I've read a few 1st hand reports from practice and things are looking up. Both Pashos and Diehl have had positive things said and Jameel Cook by a few accounts appears to have the ability to help us this year. The new JC WR's are looking impressive as well. However one player it seems everyong is raving about is FB Tim McGill. At 240-260 (who really knows??) and reportedly with some impressive speed he may turn into a very good FB. Certainly too early to tell but so far so good. I hope to catch a practice myself later in the fall (still at Rantoul) so I hope to have some of my own opinions here in less than 2 weeks. Will also keep you posted regarding Christian.

7/29/98
The Illini have received their 1st verbal for the 1999 recruiting class. Dwayne Smith of Rantoul has decided to become a Fighting Illini. Dwayne is a legit 6-2 and has to be close to 180#'s. I saw him at the Illini 7 on 7 passing camp and thought he was physically the most impressive player at the camp (As well as Jamar Mozee ??? RB from Blue Springs, MO). He has very good speed and is just a step slower (and a year younger) than Quincy Washington from Centennial. He was also one of the top high hurdler in the state last year. I believe he qualified for the finals with one of the top times but I'm not sure what happened as he wasn't listed in the finals results??? One drawback - Dwayne did seem to be a little passive and didn't really aggressively go after the ball like a Richard McNutt but I hope that is something that will come with age(or I caught him on a bad day). Not sure at this point if the Illini plan on using him as a DB or WR? Either way this is a very good catch for the Illini. I also believe Dwayne is solid in the classroom.

Since I'm updating, I hope to have the potential recruits page updated as I've been sitting on some names for a while. I hope to have that done sometime late tonight.

In other news (which you probably already know) Mike Flaar and Keith Washington are no longer on the team. The loss of Flaar will hurt but hopefully JP Machado and Matt Carlton can fill the void.

7/2/98
This isn't quite what I expected to get me off my duff and update the page but this is the most unfortunate update I'm sure there will ever be. As I'm sure many of you know by now, Steve Willis has died in an apparent suicide. Obviously there was something far beyond football troubling Steve. I last saw him at the Round Barn I believe in April/May when he spoke to the QB Club and he was as upbeat as could be. I also thought he was around/watching the H.S seven on seven passing tournament but I may be mistaken. It will be interesting to see how the team reacts to this as Steve ran with a very good group of guys and to my knowledge was well liked. This could really break the team apart or it could really bring them together. We shall see. I don't and I doubt I will ever have any more specific details that aren't readily available in the general media so I'm not going to post update after update about this matter. On a less serious note, I have updated the recruiting page with a few more names.

5-30-98
I've updated the potential recruits page. Also, check out the track & field info from www.ihsa.org. Quincy Washington qualified for the finals in the 100 meter with I believe the second best time. Dwayne Smith in the top 1 or 2 in the 100 meter hurdles and Tony Pashos and Carlos Lattimor with #5 & #6 in shot put with Carlos at #2 in the discus. There are a few other football noteables as well. Final results will be posted as the day goes on today.