Recruiting Wrap

Whitmer talks Fiedorowicz, Prater

Posted by: Jeremy Werner

Friday, October 9, 2009 8:23 AM

Read about Whitmer's latest recruiting efforts here.

Future Illini quarterback Chandler Whitmer was in attendance as Illinois lost to Penn State 35-17 at Memorial Stadium last Saturday, dropping the Illini to 1-3 on the season. Like most onlookers, the 6-foot-1 Downers Grove South senior doesn't have many explanations for the Illini's early-season struggles.

"It's hard to tell from an outsider's standpoint," Whitmer said. "I know what it's like as a player to have fans criticize when they don't know what they're talking about. It could be a number of things: team chemistry or somebody that's not confident in what they're doing. Nobody's to blame, and I know that they've played two great teams in the Big Ten."

Illinois recruit CJ Fiedorowicz, with whom Whitmer developed a relationship over the summer, has reportedly expressed interest in taking official visits to Iowa and Wisconsin following the Illini's slow start. Whitmer has stayed in touch with Fiedorowicz but hasn't asked the 6-foot-6 Johnsburg receiver about his intentions to visit other schools.

"That's his situation," Whitmer said. "If he wants to take visits, that's fair. He can do that, and there's nothing wrong with that. It's a four- or five-year decision that we have to make sure we're going to the right place. Obviously, he likes Illinois in the first place or he never would have committed. He's just been taking his visits and experiencing that, helping to see what's best for him.

"If it doesn't happen with Illinois, then I'm not going to be upset or not be friends with him anymore. But I know he likes Illinois, and I'm sure he'll end up there with me."

So is Whitmer doubting his own decision after Illinois' three losses to current top-25 teams?

"No, not at all," Whitmer said. "A word is a word. When you give your commitment, it's like getting married. You don't want divorce. I'm excited about where I'm going. I love the place. The record of a team before me when I'm not there isn't going to change the decision of where I go to school. That's not going to change what the place is or what the people there are like."

But another one of Whitmer's close friends, Kyle Prater, is reportedly rethinking his verbal commitment. The 6-foot-5 Proviso West wide receiver committed to USC in September but will likely take official visits to Illinois and Oklahoma this fall.

Whitmer said he talks "probably once a week on the phone" with Prater about how their high school season are progressing but that he doesn't bring up Prater's recruitment.

"He's been going through so many things that for me, we're just friends," Whitmer said. "We're not trying to figure out where we're going to school. He committed, and if USC is where he wants to go I'm happy for him.

"I think he mentioned that he's probably going to take his official for the Michigan game (on Oct. 31 unless his playoff game is on the same day). We'll see. I know he wants to take a visit to Illinois. And who knows? He could end up there, and I'd be extremely happy obviously because he's one of my friends and great receiver."

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