As a sophomore in high school, Eric McGoey tried football for a day and decided to give it up. Three years later, he hopes to start for a Big Ten team.

The Wheaton Warrenville South wide receiver committed to Illinois on Thursday.

"I think Coach (Ron) Turner's got the program going in the right direction," McGoey said. "Slowly but surely, I think he's building it up to where it used to be in the late '80s."

McGoey was the star in Wheaton Warrenville South's Class 6A title victory. He caught 12 passes for 246 yards and four touchdowns.

"The phone lines started opening up after that state game," McGoey said. "I was most interested in the UI."

Even without football, McGoey might have picked Illinois. McGoey already sent in his application.

Western Michigan offered a football scholarship. McGoey, who scored a 29 on his ACT, also heard from every Ivy League school.

A standout sprinter and hurdler, McGoey was recruited in track by Wisconsin and Rice.

McGoey visited Illinois last weekend with teammate Jon Beutjer, The News-Gazette Player of the Year. Beutjer still is considering offers and will pick a college later.

The Illini also gained a fullback during the weekend when Hazelwood (Mo.) Central's Carey Davis committed to the school. Davis rejected Missouri and Arkansas.

Davis gained more than 1,000 yards in a one-back offense and was the starting middle linebacker.

"He catches the ball real well out of the backfield," Hazelwood Central assistant John Pukala said.

Hazelwood Central has been a frequent stop for UI coaches. Current Illini offensive lineman Chip Nicastro and ex-defensive back Robert Crumpton attended the school.

Hey, smart guy

Illinois placed 10 players on the Academic All-Big Ten team, led by tight end Josh Whitman with a 3.97 grade-point average.

Also making the cut were safety Mike Gusich (3.79), offensive linemen Tom Schau (3.22) and Ryan Schau (3.01), defensive backs Ivan Benson (3.47), Bryan Shepard (3.58) and Nolan Nawrocki (3.29), defensive end Fred Wakefield (3.22), receiver Nick Piazza (3.17) and long snapper Nathan Hodel (3.05).