CHAMPAIGN – The Illinois quarterback meetings are going to be a player short in the spring. Redshirt freshman Jeff Ziegler has decided to transfer to Division II Grand Valley (Mich.) State.

After the season finale against Michigan State, Ziegler talked about leaving. But Illinois coach Ron Turner told him to reconsider, promising him a chance to compete for the starting job.

"He just reiterated to me that they want me here and they're going to give me a fair shot," Ziegler said.

Ziegler thought about it while at home in Michigan for Thanksgiving. He weighed the pros and cons of staying. The cons won.

"I thought about the things that would get me to stay," Ziegler said. "I just really couldn't think of a whole lot. It was time to make a move.

"I just feel I need to go someplace where I'll get a total fair shot."

The Illini have three quarterbacks returning in the spring: junior Kirk Johnson and freshmen Kurt Kittner and Walter Young. Illinois also has commitments from two high school quarterbacks, Centennial's Dustin Ward and Riverview (Mo.) Gardens' Christian Morton.

Ziegler said the quarterback situation didn't look good to him.

"You try not to listen to all of the talk as a quarterback," Ziegler said. "You know they're going to talk about the new recruits. All they would talk about was Kittner this and Kittner that in the papers. Now, all they're talking about is this Morton kid coming in right away. Just Morton, Morton, Morton. It just gives you a feeling that you're not really wanted."

Ziegler knows he is wanted at Grand Valley State, which needs to replace Harlan Hill Trophy finalist Jeff Fox.

Brian Kelly's team went 9-3 and reached the first round of the Division II playoffs, losing to Slippery Rock. The Lakers use a four-receiver offense with the quarterback working from shotgun formation.

"A lot less conservative (than Illinois)," Ziegler said.

Ziegler is so eager to get started that he'll transfer at the semester and attend Grand Valley's spring practices.

He also plans to keep up with the Illinois quarterbacks.

"He (Turner) says he's going to give everyone a fair shot in the spring," Ziegler said. "We'll see what happens.

"Kirk Johnson has the mental edge on everybody. Kittner has a real strong arm. He's just got to get more comfortable with the offense. Walter Young is the guy to watch out for. I worked with him on the scout team and he's a real big playmaker. If you watch him in the spring game, mark my words, he'll make some big plays."