Simeon Rice says you have to crawl before you walk. So when he finally makes the Pro Bowl, and he plans to eventually, you''ll see some running.

   "I''d like to be the defensive player of the next millennium," Rice said. "I''m getting back to being a dominant player."

CHAMPAIGN – Two years ago, Ron Turner left Dave Wannstedt and the Chicago Bears. But the phone lines between Halas Hall and Turner's Memorial Stadium office stayed busy.

On Monday, Turner made another round of calls to his former employers. They were the kind coaches hate to make.

The Illinois football team's last two recruiting classes included two linebackers. And only one, Mon Long, is still with the team.

The Illini are making up lost ground at the position, landing three linebackers among the 23 players committed for 1999.

A second-year evaluation of coach Ron Turner would be based on two telling factors: (1) Did the Illini show progress from the 0-11 football season of 1997, and (2) Is the Turner staff developing strong recruiting ties despite on-field disappointments?

The report card on the 3-8 season was mixed.

There's not enough room under any tree for all of Illinois football coach Ron Turner's December commitments.

Especially with the addition of yet another offensive lineman, this one 6-foot-5, 280-pound News-Gazette All-Stater Aaron Hodges of Rich Central.

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Like all good football fans, Garrett Johnson spent Christmas mornings in front of the television, watching the Blue-Gray Game. It became a holiday tradition, right there with hanging stockings and drinking eggnog.

On Friday, the Illinois defensive tackle won't be in his usual spot. He'll be too busy trying to stuff running backs from the Gray team.

Four days after Marc Jackson committed to the Illinois football team, Ron Turner landed another member of the family.

On Saturday, Illinois hired Robert Jackson as receivers coach. He replaces Buddy Teevens, who left for a job at Florida.

Terry Workman got his wish. The Rantoul coach won't have to travel far to see his former Eagles play in college.

Rantoul offensive lineman Sean Bubin has committed to Illinois. He will join wide receiver/defensive back Dwayne Smith in Ron Turner's 1999 Illini recruiting class.