Jeff Ruffin enjoyed his weekend visit to Illinois so much, he’s passing up fun in the sun.

The Aurora West defensive tackle had a recruiting trip planned in early January to Florida. But he canceled it and committed Sunday to the Illini.

“It was business, but at the same time they made it seem like I was already one of them,” Ruffin said of two days with the Illini.

Ruffin, a News-Gazette All-Stater, is the 13th player to commit to Ron Turner’s team and the fourth on defense.

With Garrett Johnson’s graduation, one starting tackle spot is open. Returnees Mike McGee, Karleton Thomas and Brandon Moore provide Ruffin’s competition.

“I have a chance,” Ruffin said. “Everybody fights for a starting position or playing time. It’s a real opening for me.”

Ruffin picked the Illini over Florida and Western Michigan. The Gators contacted him recently.

“It was a surprise to me,” Ruffin said. “Florida doesn’t usually recruit up here.”

Florida heard about him, Ruffin said, from former Illinois offensive coordinator Buddy Teevens. The Gators hired Teevens last week as running backs coach.

“Teevens had said he didn’t want to jump in,” Ruffin said. “He didn’t want to step on Illinois’ toes.”

Ruffin wanted to settle on a school.

“I don’t want to go down to Florida,” Ruffin said. “I may not like the school, and I’ll miss out on the Illinois scholarship.”

While the Illinois players take the holidays off, the Gators prepare for the Orange Bowl. Ruffin said Illinois’ 3-8 record doesn’t bother him.

“They’re trying to rebuild, and I want to be a part of that,” Ruffin said. “They’re on the rise. They went from 0-11 to 3-8 this year. That’s a positive step toward being competitive and going to a bowl game.”

Ruffin was one of 13 players who visited the Illini during the weekend. Safety Marc Jackson of Corvallis, Ore., and Thornwood defensive end Darrell Campbell came away impressed.

Jackson, who visited Michigan earlier in the month, canceled an upcoming trip to Arizona. He has a visit scheduled for Notre Dame in January, but he might skip that one, too.

Oregon State football staff member Robert Jackson said his son plans to make a decision sometime before Jan. 1. If that’s the case, Jackson will pick between Illinois and Michigan.

“He had a good trip (to Illinois),” Robert Jackson said.

Thornwood coach Terry Kennedy said Campbell plans to visit Notre Dame on Jan. 15. The News-Gazette All-Stater already went to Northwestern.

“Since he has limited it to three, I think it’s kind of a good idea,” Kennedy said.

Some have compared Campbell to former Illini star Simeon Rice.

“I think Rice maybe had a little bit more as far as linebacker diagnostic tools,” Kennedy said.

“I think Darrell would be better as a down lineman. He’s very, very explosive, very quick.

“He’s the best lineman that I’ve worked with in 26 years.”