Recruiting Wrap

Mark Wilson commitment to Illini 'firm'

Posted by: Jeremy Werner

Friday, November 6, 2009 8:43 AM

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The rumors traveled all the way to Florida. So when Mark Wilson, 6-foot-2, 225-pound Tallahassee (Fla.) Lincoln linebacker, heard that Illinois head coach Ron Zook could be on the chopping block after a 1-6 start this season, the Illini commit was a little worried.

"It was a question," Wilson said. "I was hearing (the coaches) maybe they'd get fired and this and that. But I talked to (Illinois co-defensive coordinator Dan) Disch, and it wasn't a big factor."

Disch has stayed in frequent contact with the three-star linebacker. His latest call came on Wednesday night as the Illini coach talked about scheduling Wilson's official visit for December.

"We talk about how their season's going, talk about their ups and downs and their defense and their mistakes," Wilson said. "We talk about (the Lincoln) defense and our mistakes. He's been pumping up Illinois and pumping up the school."

So how is Disch selling the 2-6 Illini? Wilson said his commitment is "firm."

But Wilson, who holds more than seven scholarship offers, is still being contacted by several schools, including South Florida and Southern Miss. Asked if he will take visits to other schools, Wilson said: ""As of right now, I'm not. I'm pretty sure, pretty sure of that"

If Wilson can take away one positive from the Illini's slow start, it's that he could come in and compete for immediate playing time. With three inexperienced linebackers starting, Illinois ranks last in the Big Ten in rushing defense and ninth in pass defense.

"That's one of the things we've always talked about, their depth at linebacker and me providing competition and me coming in there and becoming an impact player," Wilson said. "With work and practice, I think that's possible. I know that's possible."

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