The Illinois football team's last two recruiting classes included two linebackers. And only one, Mon Long, is still with the team.

The Illini are making up lost ground at the position, landing three linebackers among the 23 players committed for 1999.

Aaron Nobles of Rocklin, Calif., and Ty Myers of Springfield (Ohio) North are the latest linebacker additions for the Illini.

"They (Illini coaches) broke it down real simple," Nobles said.

The Illini have eight scholarship linebackers returning in the fall. Three of the eight – Danny Clark, Eric Guenther and Manuel Strong – will be in their final year. Nobles sees it as a chance to play early in a top conference.

Nobles missed five games his senior season because of a knee injury. Schools started to notice him late in the year, with Michigan State, Wisconsin and Georgia Tech making contact.

The Illini had a booster on the Rocklin staff. Linebackers coach Bob Sebring played for the Illini in 1984 and '85.

Nobles is the second California high school player to pick the Illini. Fontana Miller defensive end Shaheed Richardson also has committed.

Most of the early Illini commitments are on offense. Of its 23 players, Illinois now has 12 on offense and 11 on defense.

Myers likely will play linebacker. His high school coach, Brian Blevins, used him everywhere.

Myers started for the team at quarterback. On defense, he played every position but the two tackle spots.

Some coaches talked to Myers about strong safety. Others mentioned linebacker. Blevins thinks the 6-foot-4, 210-pounder might grow enough to play tight end.

"He just wants to play," Blevins said.

Myers had offers from Pitt and West Virginia. He was waiting to set up an official visit at Michigan State, where his cousin, Nick Myers, plays defensive end. Michigan and Ohio State showed some interest.

"This was the best fit both for the school and for Ty," Blevins said. "He's going to be a better college player than he was a high school player. He is going to develop even more."

Myers visited the Illinois campus in early December and enjoyed the trip. Once he made told Blevins he liked the Illini, Blevins encouraged him to make it final.

"I didn't want Ty to lose out if this is where he really wanted to go," Blevins said. "Coach (Ron) Turner let him know they had a lot of commitments and they were getting down to the nitty gritty.

"He had the option to wait. They were going to give him more time."

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By The News-Gazette's count, the Illinois football team has 23 commitments for its 1999 recruiting class. Here are the players:

(Player, School, Pos.)

Jim Bloodworth, Warren Hills (N.J.), OL

Ken Boyle, Chatham Glenwood, TE

Sean Bubin, Rantoul, OL

Carey Davis, Hazelwood (Mo.) Central, FB

Jim Ferguson, Morton, C

Aaron Hodges, Rich Central, OL

Marc Jackson, Crescent Valley (Ore.), DB

Eric McGoey, Wheaton Warrenville South, WR

Christian Morton, Riverview (Mo.) Gardens, QB

Ty Myers, Springfield (Ohio) North, LB/Ath.

Aaron Nobles, Rocklin (Calif.), LB

Mike O'Brien, Chicago Marist, DE

Shaheed Richardson, Fontana (Calif.) Miller, DE

Chris Rucks, Stevenson, OL

Jeff Ruffin, Aurora West, DL

Jerry Schumacher, Chicago Mount Carmel, LB

Jacoby Shepherd, Tyler (Texas) Junior College, DB

Dwayne Smith, Rantoul, WR

Trayvon Waller, El Camino (Calif.) College, DB

Dustin Ward, Centennial, QB

Terrell Washington, Hutchinson (Kan.) College, DE

Eugene Wilson, Merrillville (Ind.), DB

Lance Young, St. Louis Beaumont, WR