CHAMPAIGN – When he first met with his Illinois football team, coach Ron Turner told the players he wanted a total commitment. Marquis Mosely wasn’t able to give it to him.

“He’s got other interests, other things on his mind,” Turner said. “I could kind of see it. I could see his focus wasn’t 100 percent on football.”

Wide receiver Mosely practiced with the team through Saturday. He wasn’t at practice on Monday and announced plans to leave the team on Tuesday.

Mosely, the team’s leading returning receiver, had been working with the second unit. Turner said Mosely was competing for a starting job.

All Mosely had to do to keep his scholarship next year was make it through the remaining spring practices and report in the fall. He will graduate in December.

“He said, ‘I can’t fake it. My heart’s not in it. I can’t be here,’ ” Turner said.

With Mosely gone, three players are battling for the starting spots: Michael Dean, George McDonald-Ashford and Rob Majoy. UI offensive coordinator and receivers coach Buddy Teevens said the three are all first-teamers.

“They’re intelligent guys,” Teevens said. “They know both positions.”

All his receivers are making progress, Teevens said.

“It’s starting to make sense to them,” Teevens said. “It’s a tremendous offense for receivers.”

– Bob Asmussen