CHAMPAIGN – Purdue showed some interest. So did Iowa.

Dustin Ward hoped for one more call. When Illinois offered the Centennial quarterback a scholarship, he didn't wait long to grab it.

Ward and his parents went to Ron Turner's office Tuesday to close the deal. Purdue and Iowa are going to have to look somewhere else for a quarterback.

"I thought I could have gotten some other offers from some other places," Ward said. "UI felt right, and I didn't want to take the risk. I thought it would be stupid not to go there."

Turner didn't pressure the Charger into a quick decision, Ward said. Illinois made the offer last week with no time limit.

When he signs in February, Ward will become the fourth Centennial player on Illinois' scholarship list. He joins receiver Lenny Willis, defensive end Robby Long and running back Quincy Washington. Former Charger Patrick Rouse is an Illini walk-on and backup long snapper.

Ward becomes the second quarterback on the 1999 Illinois recruiting list. Chris Morton of Riverside (Mo.) Gardens committed earlier.

Illinois has three freshman quarterbacks on its roster: Kurt Kittner, Walter Young and Jeff Ziegler. Kirk Johnson will be a senior in '99.

"Wherever you go, you're going to have competition," Ward said. "You've got to be ready to play. I'll go and give it my best and see what happens."