Recruiting Wrap

Illini football recruiting: Who's left? Offensive edition

Posted by: Jeremy Werner

Wednesday, November 4, 2009 8:41 AM

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If you feel like it's been a long time since Illinois football has received a commitment, you're right. Vermont (Ill.) South Fulton offensive tackle Michael Heitz was the last high school senior to verbally commit to the Illini - more than three months ago.

Illinois has been through Camp Rantoul and six losses since then. So where do the Illini stand with top prospects in the competitive world of recruiting? Today, we focus on the Illini's offensive targets. Tomorrow, we'll take a look at defensive recruiting targets.

Quarterbacks: Things seemed to have been locked up since Downers Grove South quarterback CHANDLER WHITMER gave his verbal commitment last spring. Unless RON ZOOK is fired - he has a verbal backing from athletic director RON GUENTHER - Whitmer will be an Illini. But Illinois has kept its options open - or could possibly take a second quarterback, though it's unlikely - by keeping tabs on Mt. Propsect dual-threat quarterback MILES OSEI. Read more about Osei here.

Running backs: With limited scholarships available - the 2010 class will be anywhere from 15-20 - the Illini most likely won't add a running back to this class unless they can add an elite talent. The Illini have three juniors (MIKEL LESHOURE, JASON FORD and TROY POLLARD), a sophomore (JUSTIN GREEN) and a redshirt freshman (BUD GOLDEN) set to return. Another running back would only add to the clutter.

Wide receivers: Since Zook took over, finding wide receivers has not been a problem. But the Illini have swung and missed so far this season. Proviso West wideout KYLE PRATER, ranked the No. 1 receiver in the nation by Rivals.com, verbally committed to USC. Macoutah receiver MATT MILTON, a 6-foot-6 receiver, spurned the Illini for the Tennessee Volunteers. Though the Illini will return a stable of receivers next season, even if ARRELIOUS BENN bolts for the NFL, Illinois would probably like to add another wideout. Jacksonville (Fla.) prospect JAVON BELL is high on their list (read more about Bell here). Of course, Prater is still Illinois' No. 1 target. The highly touted receiver visited Illinois on Satuday, a 38-13 win over Michigan. He has yet to make a final decision and Illinois and Notre Dame, two schools closer to home, appear still be in the mix.

Tight ends: The Illini's biggest recruiting coup for the 2010 class is landing a verbal commitment from 6-foot-7, 240-pound Johnsburg tight end CJ Fiedorowicz. But the Illini's 2-6 start and little use of tight ends in the offense has Fiedorowicz second-guessing and looking even closer at Iowa, currently the No. 4 team in the country. Illinois should use whatever it has at its disposal - throwing to the tight end more, Whitmer, maybe even winning a few more games - to re-sell Fiedorowicz on the idea of becoming an Illini. It could be a daunting task.

Offensive line: Illinois got its offensive linemen early, securing commitments from three-star guards SHAWN AFRYL (Niles West) and ANDY GALLIK (Brother Rice) and three-star tackle MICHAEL HEITZ (Vermont/South Fulton) during the summer. None of the players should come in and play in the first two years (should, though I said the same thing about Hugh Thornton), but they provide depth and should grow into starters by year three or, should they redshirt, year four. The Illini would like to add another lineman or two. Murrysville (Pa.) Franklin Regional offensive tackle SEAN HICKEY is trying to decide between Boston College, Illinois and possibly Syracuse (Read about hickey here). Paramus (N.J.) Catholic tackle DAN FOOSE has an offer from Illinois and is also considering Rutgers, Boston College, Central Florida, Cincinnati and Stanford. Chicago Simeon tackle FABBIAN EBELLE could be a backup plan (read more about Ebelle here).

Overall: Illinois is in decent shape on offense - much better than on defense. They have their quarterback and most of the offensive line. The roster is already full of talent - though most of it is unproven - at running back and wide receiver, so the Illini will likely swing for the fences for Prater and settle for a lesser-known wideout. Illinois will need to add a tight end if it can't hold on to CJ Fiedorowicz as Michael Hoomanawanui and pinch-tight end Jeff Cumberland are seniors. The fact that Hugh Thornton has started as a freshmen shows Illinois needs even more bodies on the offensive line. Besides Fiedorowicz, there's nothing special here but the three-star recruits will add needed depth and start late in their careers.

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