I like what I am seeing with former Illini returning home to visit the campus in recent months. 

First it was Bruce Weber's basketball program having the 1984 Big Ten basketball champs for a visit...with several other former Illini hoopsters in town as well in early January.  And of course...dont forget the "Night of Legends game at the Assembly Hall last fall.

This past weekend was Ron Zook's turn to gather former Illini together in one place with the headliner being former Illini coach Mike White.  There were well over 100 players from his near decade-long stay in Champaign...as well as dozens of others from different eras. Plus... NY Giant offensive lineman Dave Diehl made a big financial contribution to his alma mater.

There was a big barbeque for the former players on Friday night at Memorial Stadium....a big autograph session before Satuday's spring game... and then a sunny, warm ,and windy day for the Orange and Blue game.

Both Weber and Zook have done a great job of having the former players back.  I know both men realize how important it is to have these guys from the past back in town...and to let them feel  a part of what is happening in Champaign now.  I also know the former players appreciate being asked to come back.  It benefits everybody.

A couple of observations from the spring game...

It was hard to learn a lot from this Orange and Blue Game.  For the first time in a long time...the two sides were evenly matched up...with #1 string guys playing alongside #2 or #3 string players.  So it was not a day to evaluate #1 units on offense or defense.  But a couple of things did stand out.

One was the performance of some of the defensive ends.  Jerry Brown had a solid spring game and so did Clay Nurse.  Martez Wilson made several tackles at middle linebacker and may wind up playing there next fall.  Supo Sani is going to be a great safety.

On offense...MIkel Leshoure and Jason Ford have both had great springs...and Mikel is starting to show that he has benefitted from being here since a year ago January.   And Jason Ford is hard to stop once he gets through containment.  And dont count out Daniel Dufrene yet. 

And Juice Williams...we know what he can do.  But Jacob Charest has a very accurate arm and Eddie McGee lined up some at receiver  this spring so that will be interesting to watch that backup quarterback battle in Camp Rantoul.

So a good spring practice session comes to an end with smiles all around from the players, coaching staff...as well as the  former Illini players and coaches who enjoyed their return visit to Champaign-Urbana.

Now comes the grunt work that must be done in the weight room that pays off when everyone gathers together again  in the heat of August in Rantoul.