CHAMPAIGN – Once again, Dennis Stallings finds himself

with some huge cleats to fill.

First, he tried to follow Dana Howard and Kevin Hardy to become

Illinois' third consecutive Butkus Award winner. A 2-9 season ended the

inside linebacker's bid early.

Now, Stallings is Illinois' main National Football League

draft hope, one year after Hardy and Simeon Rice went second and third,

respectively. No pressure at all.

"Illinois has a tradition with linebackers,"

Stallings said. "You've just got to carry on the tradition."

Illinois' tradition won't hurt Stallings in the

draft.

"I think it's one of the top programs in the country,

regardless of the fact that the record may have not been so good the last couple

years," said Richard Katz, Stallings' Cincinnati-based agent.

"They always produce quality football players."

Three went in last year's draft, which Stallings watched

before playing in his final UI spring game.

Stallings saw the anxiety end early for his friends Hardy and

Rice.

"That's every young man's dream when they come

into the college level, to be in New York on that day," Stallings said.

"I pictured myself there."

Stallings won't be in New York for the draft. Instead,

he'll be at home in East St. Louis with his mother, Yvette Lawrence.

And he won't be a first-round pick. Katz said he has heard

Stallings might go as high as the second round. Third to fifth is more

likely.

It's still better than where Stallings stood at the end of

the '96 season. Questions about his height, weight and speed needed to be

answered.

Stallings started to change his draft status on Christmas Day

in the Blue-Gray Classic. He earned defensive MVP honors and a trip to the NFL

combine.

"I was killing," Stallings said. "I

couldn't go in there lollygagging. I had to live up to the name

(Illinois)."

At the combine, Stallings continued his draft metamorphosis. He

showed up bigger, faster and taller than many expected. A 4.6 time in the 40

didn't hurt.

He ran even better at two private workouts in Champaign,

clocking 4.55s and 4.57s in the 40. Nothing like a little home turf to help your

draft status.

Twenty teams showed up the first day. Five were there for the

second workout. Stallings liked the reception.

"Everything's been positive," Stallings said.

"They tell you that they're interested, but that's as far as it

goes. I noticed a few teams came in twice."

Stallings claims to not care where he goes. It's the same

thing Hardy and Rice said last season, which was good because neither was picked

by the expected team.

Stallings has learned from Hardy, Rice and Howard that it

doesn't pay to get worked up about one city.

"I just want to play the game," Stallings said.

"It doesn't matter where."

When he gets picked is important to Stallings.

"You kind of care a little bit," Stallings said.

"But as long as you get drafted, that's a blessing. Second's

better than fifth. Third's better than fourth."

The NFL drafts are full of guys who go later than expected.

Remember Thurman Thomas' pained looks as he waited until the second round?

Howard, projected to go higher, didn't get the call until the fifth.

Stallings is trying to avoid similar disappointment.

"You always say the worst, so you can be prepared if you

go higher," Stallings said.

And what's the worst for Stallings?

"Fourth round," Stallings said.

Stallings really wants to avoid a sleepless Saturday night. The

first three rounds likely will be completed during the opening day.

"If I don't go on the first day, I'll be a

little mad," Stallings said. "But I'm sure I'll go on the

second day."

The week leading up to the draft is filled with speculation.

Stallings doesn't care to hear it. And don't show him any of those

predraft magazines either.

"The lists don't mean anything," Stallings

said.

The teams all have their own lists. At this point, Stallings

can't do anything to improve his position.

What he can do is get ready for the training camp. He is

working daily with UI strength coach Pat Moorer.

"He's helped me cut down on some of my mistakes in

the drills," Stallings said of Moorer. "I really appreciate him taking

the time out to be with me."

The Stallings-Moorer relationship got off to a rocky start.

Moorer, new to the program, didn't know Dennis Stallings from Dennis

Miller.

Stallings' wardrobe didn't help any. He wore a hat

and a shirt with the logo of another school.

"When I first came down here, he thought I was still on

the team," Stallings said. "He said 'Son, come here. What are you

doing down here with your hat on?' I was like, 'Coach, I'm a

senior. I just got back from the combine.' He said, 'Still, take your

hat off and get ready to go.' He's been on me."

Senior or no senior, Moorer won't allow other teams colors

in his weight room. Stallings got the message.

"I'm a big disciplinarian," Moorer said.

"If you're going to go to the University of Illinois, that means you

don't wear Michigan gear down here, you don't wear Penn State gear down

here. You wear University of Illinois issued equipment only."

Other than the wardrobe mistake, Moorer has been impressed with

Stallings. Moorer gave Stallings a time he was available each day. The player

hasn't missed a workout.

"He's a great kid to work with," Moorer said.

"He's really talented."

Moorer knows what it takes to be a pro linebacker. The Florida

graduate had stints in the NFL and World League.

"Now is when you have to work hardest," Moorer said.

"He's getting ready for his professional career."