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EACH WEEK, WE'LL TAKE A LOOK BACK AT A MEMORABLE MOMENT IN ILLINI HISTORY, THANKS TO THE WORDS OF THE NEWS-GAZETTE

Today: Before each season, Bob Asmussen breaks down the Illinois football roster. Here is a look at Ron Zook's first team, in 2005, which finished 2-9.

Date: Aug. 5, 2005

Headline: Meet Ron Zook's first Illinois team

By BOB ASMUSSEN

QUARTERBACKS

NUMBER, NAME, HEIGHT, WEIGHT, YEAR, HOMETOWN/PREVIOUS SCHOOL, COMMENT

19, Paul Blalock, 6-0, 190, Fr., Aurora/Waubonsie Valley, News-Gazette All-Stater played for new Danville High coach B.J. Luke

15, Tim Brasic*, 6-2, 200, Jr., Riverside/Riverside-Brookfield, Former News-Gazette All-State Player of the Year finally getting his chance on the field

12, Billy Garza, 6-1, 225, R-Fr., Brownsville, Texas/Porter, One of two Texans on the roster played prep ball for former Illini assistant Jim Helms

16, Chris Pazan**, 6-1, 205, Jr., Chicago/Brother Rice, Part-time starter in the past will be in a camplong fight for job with Brasic

10, Mark Venegoni, 6-1, 210, R-Fr., Gurnee/Carmel, Former News-Gazette All-Stater the son of ex-Illini linebacker John

RUNNING BACKS

34, Jason Davis***, 5-11, 235, Sr., St. Louis/Lindbergh, Considered the funny man of the team, finished second in 2004 with 41 receptions

26, E.B. Halsey**, 5-10, 200, Jr., Elizabeth, N.J./Elizabeth, Team's rookie of the year in 2003 among the best kick returners in the Big Ten

42, Justin Ijei, 5-8, 215, So., Chesterfield, Mo./Lafayette, Standout linebacker in high school moved to fullback as Illinois walk-on

43, Nick Levanti, 6-0, 230, R-Fr., Champaign/Centennial, Walk-on part of strong Chargers contingent playing for Zook's first team

5, Rashard Mendenhall, 5-11, 205, Fr., Skokie/Niles West, Two-time News-Gazette All-Stater the top-ranked player in his class

46, William Obi, 5-10, 210, R-Fr., Inglewood, Calif./Morningside, With the departure of Alex Stroud, fullback the lone Californian on the team

30, Pierre Thomas**, 5-11, 200, Jr., Lynwood/Thornton Fractional South, Former News-Gazette Player of the Year might fight for All-Big Ten honors in '05

41, Russ Weil*, 6-0, 235, So., Minooka/Minooka, Converted linebacker made move to fullback in spring, providing depth behind Davis

33, Trenton White, 6-0, 230, Jr., Massillon, Ohio/Air Force, Fullback grew up not far from Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton

RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS

88, Melvin Bryant**, 6-5, 230, Jr., Muncie, Ind./Muncie Central, Coaches expecting a huge season from Walter Young-type tight end

2, Bryant Creamer, 6-2, 200, R-Fr., Chicago/Simeon, Injury to McPhearson gives ex-News-Gazette All-Stater chance to move into rotation

81, Will Davis, 6-3, 235, Fr., Greenbelt, Md./Eleanor Roosevelt, Future physician unlikely to redshirt after impressing coaches with tight end skills

23, Jack Eastman, 6-1, 185, Fr., Naperville/Joliet Catholic, His high school has sent dozens to D-I in recent years while dominating state playoffs

22, Kieron Frazier, 6-3, 185, So., Mason, Ohio/Cherry Hills East, Dad, NFL aide and former UI staffer Leslie, interviewed for Illinois head coaching job

89, Zach Gray**, 6-3, 250, Jr., Gilman/Iroquois West, Ex-News-Gazette All-Area player recovering from injury, trying to get back into TE mix

21, Kyle Hudson, 5-11, 165, Fr., Mattoon/Mattoon, Talented two-way player in high school also a top baseball prospect

1, Lonnie Hurst**, 6-1, 195, Jr., Detroit/Jesuit, Part-time starter in '03 trying to come back from knee injury against Wisconsin

17, Spencer Jensen*, 6-1, 180, So., Homer Glen/Lockport Township, Walk-on is a cousin of former pro wrestling superstar King Kong Bundy

84, Kendrick Jones***, 6-2, 190, Sr., East St. Louis/East St. Louis, Team's leading returning receiver had two catches his first two seasons, 47 last year

13, Will Judson, 5-8, 165, So., Riverdale, Ga./Florida A&M, Played against Illini last season with Rattlers. Will have to sit out season as a transfer

87, JR Kraemer, 6-5, 230, R-Fr., Wildwood, Mo./Lafayette, High school track standout redshirted in '04 while learning about playing TE in college

82, Frank Lenti Jr., 6-2, 185, So., South Holland/Mount Carmel, Walk-on son of prep coaching legend impressed coaches in spring, should be in rotation

86, Greg McClendon, 6-2, 205, Fr., Columbus, Ga./Carver, Now a TE, standout prep runner gained more than 1,000 yards his final two seasons

83, Mark McGoey, 6-4, 195, Jr., Wheaton/Wheaton Warrenville, Brother of former Illini receiver/safety Eric was a prep standout in track for the Tigers

4, Derrick McPhearson, 6-0, 195, Fr., Hyattsville, Md./Dematha/Fork Union, Expect top receiver in class to return from broken leg by Cal game, if not sooner

24, Edgar Mourans, 6-1, 185, So., Niles/Niles North, Walk-on WR was impressive in spring, giving coaches something to think about at camp

85, Mike Nabolotny, 6-6, 240, Fr., Glenview/Glenbrook South, TE part of athletic family, sister (Loyola) and cousin (Illinois-Chicago) play college hoops

80, Franklin Payne*, 5-11, 195, Jr., Jackson, Tenn./Univ. School of Jackson, Part of first instant replay use involving Illinois. Finished third on team with 25 catches

28, Matt Sigourney, 6-0, 160, Fr., Tinley Park/Andrew, Baseball star helped Thunderbolts to undefeated regular season in football as a senior

89, Tom Sullivan, 6-2, 210, Fr., Tinley Park/Marist, Walk-on, a basketball standout for the RedHawks, had scholarship offers at lower levels

8, DaJuan Warren*, 6-2, 200, So., Southfield, Mich./Southfield, Former quarterback expected to be in the starting lineup against Rutgers

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN

69, Ben Amundsen, 6-5, 310, So., Moline/Moline, Former News-Gazette All-Stater competing for playing time at guard

63, Will Bergen, 6-4, 260, Fr., Tampa, Fla./Middleton, Smart guy can make quick trips to Carbondale to see sister Briley swim for the Salukis

62, Eric Block, 6-3, 280, Fr., New Orleans/Jesuit, All-state player led his school to 20 wins in two seasons as a starter

59, Kam Buckner, 6-2, 280, So., Chicago/Morgan Park, Don't be surprised if converted defensive lineman sees playing time early in season

71, Jack Wall, 6-1, 250, Fr., Bartlett/Bartlett, As senior, Hawks star earned all-conference honors while helping team to state playoffs

73, Andrew Burk, 6-5, 275, Jr., Newburgh, Ind./Castle, Another former defensive lineman, finished the spring listed No. 2 at right tackle

66, Jonathan Connor, 6-2, 275, R-Fr., Lake Forest/Lake Forest, Walk-on can fill in team about progress of the Chicago Bears, who train in his hometown

68, Jim LaBonte*, 6-7, 305, So., Lombard/Montini Catholic, Actuarial science major moved into the starting lineup at right tackle

67, Matt Maddox**, 6-3, 310, Jr., Manasquan, N.J./Manasquan, Moves to center after two seasons as starting right guard, replacing Duke Preston

60, Ryan McDonald, 6-5, 285, R-Fr., Holland, Mich./West Ottawa, Son of former Illini Phil closed spring listed No. 2 at left tackle

58, Dan Motuliak, 6-3, 300, R-Fr., Lafayette, Ind./Jefferson, Ex-defensive lineman overcame position change, injury to push way into depth chart

64, Martin O'Donnell*, 6-5, 300, So., Downers Grove/Downers Grove South, Two-time N-G All-Stater started final 10 games of '04 to earn freshman All-America

74, Stuart Patchin, 6-3, 310, Fr., Corpus Christi, Texas/Richard King, One of two Texans on squad, he can talk Texas sports with Garza

79, James Ryan*, 6-5, 310, So., Batavia/Batavia, Least publicized of top-notch line class quietly assumed right guard spot

72, Kyle Schnettgoecke, 6-3, 290, Sr., St. Louis/Chaminade, Charles Barkley fan turning into sixth man on line, capable of playing multiple spots

70, Trevor Scott, 6-3, 270, Fr., Fort Valley, Ga./Peach County, Three-year starter helped his team to 13-2 record as a senior, spot in state semifinals

57, JJ Simmons**, 6-5, 290, Jr., Mishawaka, Ind./Penn, Took over for NFL draftee Sean Bubin in '04 and kept charging ends away from QBs

78, Bryan Truttling, 6-4, 290, Jr., East Chicago, Ind./East Chicago Central, Future doctor moved from defensive line. A top golfer, he can play piano like Elton John

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN

83, Ismail Abdunafi, 6-4, 285, Jr., Elizabeth, N.J./Bakersfield, If juco standout makes it to camp, will jump immediately into contention for starting spot

92, Arthur Boyd III**, 6-2, 260, Jr., Shaker Heights, Ohio/Shaker Heights, Catch his funny commercials, which will be shown at halftime of games this season

75, Immanuel Chu, 6-2, 260, Fr., Woodstock, Ga./Woodstock, Rated among top 50 recruits in Georgia, was first player at his school to start 40 games

98, Xavier Fulton*, 6-5, 260, So., Flossmoor/Homewood-Flossmoor, New staff expecting big season from starting end, who played in eight games in '04

85, David Lindquist, 6-3, 270, R-Fr., Highland Park/Highland Park, Among walk-on's 11 high school letters were four each in hockey, lacrosse

97, Ryan Matha***, 6-3, 300, Sr., Dixon/Dixon, Two-year starter anchors front seven from tackle spot; had seven tackles for loss in '04

90, Scott Moss***, 6-2, 270, Sr., Minooka/Minooka, Former starter at end trying to regain his spot from Derek Walker

94, Charles Myles, 6-6, 320, Jr., Chicago/Harper, After struggling with conditioning, academic issues, tackle trying to live up to expectations

65, Josh Norris*, 5-11, 265, Jr., Springfield/Sacred Heart-Griffin, Coaches might not be able to keep aggressive former walk-on off the field

96, Chris Norwell*, 6-6, 290, So., Cincinnati/Anderson, Converted offensive lineman on his way to a rare four years as starting college tackle

95, Doug Pilcher, 6-5, 230, Fr., Hinsdale/Hinsdale Central, High school's career sack leader could help immediately on defense, special teams

52, Sam Porter, 6-1, 220, Fr., Chicago/Morgan Park, N-G All-Stater has friends on way, prep senior Chris James making '06 commitment

55, Jay Ramshaw, 6-4, 255, So., Champaign/Centennial, Son of ex-Illini Jerry will provide depth on defense, start some on special teams

54, Jeff Sobol, 6-3, 255, R-Fr., Pevely, Mo./Herculaneum, Grant Wistrom fan was his high school's first three-time all-stater

91, Derek Walker, 6-4, 245, R-Fr., Glendale Heights/Glenbard East, Future graphic designer earned starting defensive end spot with spring performance

93, Tremayne Walker, 6-3, 285, Fr., Tallahassee, Fla./James Rickards, Talented weightlifter could be start of long line of players from his area to sign with Illini

76, Mike Ware, 6-3, 270, Jr., Naperville/Wheaton College, Transfer played in same prep program (Waubonsie Valley) as freshman QB Paul Blalock

58, Bryson Whalen, 6-5, 230, Fr., Freeport/Aquin, Multisport standout earned spot on Class 1A coaches' all-state football team as senior

61, Adam Wilk*, 6-5, 275, Jr., Lake Zurich/Lake Zurich, Former caddie enters Camp Rantoul listed second behind Matha at tackle

56, Sirod Williams, 6-0, 225, Fr., Garfield Heights, Ohio/Garfield Heights, Tough guy tore ACL, returned to field three months later. School record-holder in sacks

LINEBACKERS

43, Sam Carson III, 6-1, 230, R-Fr., Woodridge/Downers Grove South, Redshirt earned Defensive Scout Team Player of the Year honors in 2004

39, Conor Gillen, 6-2, 220, Fr., Glen Ellyn/Glenbard West, Continues the family history at Illinois, both his dad and uncle played football for Illini

35, Brian Grzelakowski*, 5-11, 215, So., Clarendon Hills/Hinsdale Central, Converted running back enters Camp Rantoul listed No. 2 behind Willis

47, J Leman*, 6-2, 235, So., Champaign/Central, Friendly ex-Maroon had 56 tackles in '04, could finish among school's all-time leaders

3, Walter Mendenhall, 6-0, 210, R-Fr., Skokie/Niles West, Stuck behind a glut of tailbacks, switched positions and is competing for a starting spot

44, Brit Miller, 6-1, 230, Fr., Decatur/Eisenhower, Smart guy played quarterback, running back, linebacker for 2004 state playoff qualifiers

45, Rodney Pittman, 6-2, 190, Fr., Fort Washington, Md./Friendly, School's Academic Athlete of the Year finished with 22 sacks in his career

51, Anthony Thornhill*, 6-1, 220, So., Detroit/Detroit Central, Starter as a freshman in 2004 held onto position through spring drills

36, Josh Tischer***, 6-1, 215, Sr., Morris/Morris, Fishing and hunting fan should provide depth at position, help on special teams

48, Remond Willis III, 6-1, 220, R-Fr., Lilbourn, Mo./New Madrid, Ronde Barber fan pulled away from competition in spring to earn starting spot

DEFENSIVE BACKS

22, Sharriff Abdullah**, 5-8, 170, Jr., Detroit/St. Martin DePorres, Alan Ball's backup at corner blocked a punt and scored a TD vs. Michigan State

24, Charles Bailey Jr.*, 6-1, 195, So., Fort Wayne, Ind./Northrop, "Champ" looking like next Eugene Wilson, could be among Big Ten leaders in picks

18, Alan Ball**, 6-1, 175, Jr., Detroit/St. Martin DePorres, Michael Jordan fan maintained his starting spot at cornerback with solid spring

31, Brian Brosnan***, 6-1, 205, Sr., Chicago/Niles Notre Dame, Walk-on safety already has speech communications degree. Will help on special teams

25, James Cooper**, 5-10, 195, Sr., South Holland/Thornton Township, Future AD worked summer at Champaign Park District. Will see plenty of time as reserve

29, Jody Ellis, 6-0, 190, R-Fr., Evanston/Evanston Township, Coaches impressed with ex-N-G All-Stater, has stamina for long return after interception

32, Justin Harrison*, 5-11, 215, So., Bloomington/Bloomington, Freshman All-American slowed by injuries. Listed as starter at strong safety

10, Kyle Kleckner**, 6-0, 195, Sr., Downers Grove/Downers Grove North, Son of former Illini had five tackles in limited defensive action in 2004

23, Drew McMahon*, 5-10, 175, So., Champaign/Central, Walk-on will pay attention to scores at East Carolina, where dad Greg is an assistant

42, Kevin Mitchell*, 6-0, 195, So., Fort Wayne, Ind./Homestead, Son of former Indiana player currently No. 2 at strong safety

14, Mike Mucha, 5-11, 220, Fr., Orland Park/Montini, Three-sport star helped HS win state dual wrestling title, also a sprinter on track team

27, Anthony Roberts, 5-7, 155, So., Hazel Crest/Hillcrest, Walk-on played at the same HS as ex-Illini, current Raiders standout Danny Clark

46, Tyler Rouse*, 5-10, 195, So., Champaign/Centennial, Second in the family to play for Illini, following brother Pat. Recovering from knee injury

20, Morris Virgil***, 5-10, 200, Sr., Urbana/Urbana, Starting free safety made successful move from offense, intercepting two passes in '04

28, Travis Williams***, 6-0, 190, Sr., East Alton/East Alton-Wood River, Looking to rebound from string of injuries that sidetracked once-promising career

SPECIALISTS

56, Tyler Keely, 6-1, 185, So., Oswego/Oswego, Future doctor recovering from hand injury, could take starting long snapper position

49, Kyle Knezetic*, 6-0, 195, So., Channahon/Minooka, Lone long snapper on scholarship, played safety, linebacker and tight end in college

40, Justin Kovach, 6-1, 210, So., Batavia/Batavia, Bill Romanowski fan trying to gain recognition in crowded long snapper field

13, Jason Reda*, 6-1, 195, So., Rock Island/Rock Island, Freshman starter in '04 hit 7 of 12 field goals, with a long of 40 yards vs. Michigan

99, Dominic Shafer, 5-11, 180, Jr., Centralia/Centralia, Dike Eddleman devotee holds prep state record for field goals in a season

37, Steve Weatherford***, 6-3, 215, Sr., Terre Haute, Ind./Terre Haute North, All-America, Ray Guy Award candidate made smart choice in returning to school

95, Doug Wright, 5-8, 170, Fr., Metamora/Metamora, Kicker used strong leg to help continue long string of success for state power Redbirds

* - letters won

COACHES

Ron Zook, Head coach, Florida head coach, Closer to Ohio roots, he's thrilled by early reception in C-U - and from recruits

Mike Locksley, Offensive coordinator/tight ends , Florida RB coach, First-time offensive coordinator considered a dynamic recruiter and offensive mind

Mike Mallory, Defensive coordinator/linebackers, UI def. coordinator, Lone holdover working for man who was coached by his dad, Bill, at Miami (Ohio)

Reggie Mitchell, Asst. head coach/recruiting coord./RBs, MSU recruiting coord./RBs, Spent most of career in Midwest (last eight in Big Ten). Big hit with Chicago prep coaches

Dino Dawson, Receivers, Tuskegee defensive backs, Former ISU aide has worked both sides of ball (def. backs coach at Cincy, Tuskegee)

Dan Disch, Special teams/outside linebackers, Florida defensive backs, Successful prep coach maintains strong ties in Fla., ties UI expected to use in recruiting

Tom Sims, Defensive line, Minnesota defensive line, Seven-year NFL vet (K.C., Indy, Minn.) impressed Illinois players with style, intensity

Ed Warinner, Run-game coordinator/offensive line, KU run-game coord./O-line, Two-sport college star (Mount Union) spent most of coaching career at Army, Air Force

Ed Zaunbrecher, Passing-game coord./quarterbacks, Florida passing-game/QBs, 42 former players drafted, including Chad Pennington, Byron Leftwich, Rex Grossman