Recruiting Wrap

Chandler Whitmer doing work for Illini

Posted by: Jeremy Werner

Thursday, October 8, 2009 8:50 AM

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If Chandler Whitmer doesn't make it to the NFL, he still may find a career in football - as a college recruiter.

The future Illini quarterback has made an impact on Illinois recruiting since his commitment in May. The 6-foot-1 Downers Grove (Ill.) South senior befriended CJ Fiedorowicz when the Johnsburg wide receiver/tight end visited Illinois during the summer. Fiedorowicz, Rivals.com's No. 5 tight end in the country, committed to the Illini soon after.

Whitmer was back at work on Saturday during his visit to watch the Illini take on Penn State. He met with the Illinois coaching staff earlier in the day to get a rundown of recruits that would be present, and he spent most of the day chatting up Hileah (Fla.) recruits Corey Lemonier, Calvin Smith and Ravonne Carter, who were on their official visits.

"They had a great time," Whitmer said of the Florida recruits. "I hung out with Corey a lot. He was really enjoying himself. He didn't want to leave, so that's a good sign. He talked about making a decision on signing day. I just told him if he had more questions or anything just to stay in touch throughout the season.

"They were kind of cold being from Florida, but they got over it and it didn't bother them too much. It was fun, and hopefully we can get them on board soon."

While he is making an impact on the recruiting trail, Whitmer hasn't been too shabby on the football field either. He's led Downers Grove South (4-2) to four-straight wins after the Mustangs lost their first two games of the season. Whitmer has thrown for almost 1,000 yards and 12 touchdowns so far.

Whitmer's latest victim was fellow Illini commit Corey Cooper and Proviso East (1-5). Whitmer and the Mustangs ended the Pirates playoff hopes with a convincing 42-6 win. Whitmer threw for three touchdowns.

Whitmer said going to numerous camps, including the Nike Football Training Camp in Champaign and the Elite 11 Quarterback camp in California, during the summer has really helped his production as a signal caller. Whitmer was sorry to see his future teammate down but said he was glad DGS "got the W."

"(Cooper is) kind of frustrated with the way things have been going, but he's stayed positive and continued to work hard," Whitmer said. "We talked afterwards; we stay in contact pretty often anyways. It was cool playing against him. ...It's too bad that they're not going to be in the playoffs, but I know he's excited about next year and starting college and everything."

Though he is unable to attend Illinois' homecoming game against Michigan State on Saturday because of an 11 a.m. start, Whitmer hopes to make the rest of the Illini home games. But he may not be able see his future college team host Michigan on Oct. 31 as his high school team may be playing in the IHSA playoffs still.

"We're getting better each week," Whitmer said of DGS. "Everybody's working hard, so you can't complain about that. Hopefully, we'll get some momentum here going into the playoffs."

Read Friday's Recruiting Wrap to hear Whitmer's thoughts on CJ Fiedorowicz possibly looking elsewhere and Kyle Prater taking another official visit to Illinois.

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