COLUMBUS, Ohio – With a month left to burn in the recruiting season, the Illinois football coaches don't really need to be out.

Twenty-three of 25 scholarships are committed. The UI staff could spend January watching soap operas or shoveling its driveways.

Instead, coaches are on the road securing the commitments they have and trying to land another player or two.

Illinois has zeroed in on two Ohio defensive stars for the final spots.

Columbus St. Francis de Sales tackle Grant Bowman will pick between Illinois and Michigan. Chillicothe linebacker Obadiah Harris is down to the Illini, West Virginia and Ohio.

Bowman visited Illinois in mid-December. This weekend, he goes to Michigan. Bowman plans to make his college choice early next week.

"It's going to be a real tough decision," Bowman said. "Both of them have so much of what I'm looking for. I don't really know what's going to make one school better than the other for me. I guess that's what I have to decide."

Illinois' 3-8 record isn't a problem for Bowman. He likes the talent on campus and the players who have committed for next season.

"I know they've had some trouble in the recent past, but I know it's a good program," Bowman said. "I believe with the coaches there and the good people they have there, they won't have any trouble winning in the future."

The 6-foot-2, 265-pounder didn't lose many high school games. Bowman's team won consecutive state titles his final two years. They lost in the championship game when he was a sophomore.

Bowman was at his best in his high school finale. He had three sacks and two tackles for loss in the title game.

"He played a phenomenal game," St. Francis de Sales coach Bob Jacoby said. "He really controlled the defensive side of the ball for us. He jumps out at you.

"Whenever anyone plays against us, they have to figure out what they're going to do to stop Grant Bowman. He'll change an opponent's whole game plan."

Bowman's recruiting plans changed late in the year when Michigan called. After seeing tape of Bowman, the Wolverines offered a visit and a scholarship.

Illinois already beat Michigan for one recruit: safety Marc Jackson of Corvallis, Ore. Bowman could make it 2-0.

"It's going to be a tough thing to tell somebody no," Bowman said. "I have great respect for both programs. They're both great places. There's only one place I can go."

Jacoby has sent his share of players to Ohio State, including starters Luke Fickell, Gary Berry and Kurt Murphy. But the Buckeyes aren't interested in Bowman.

"He's as good as any of those three kids," Jacoby said.

The Ohio State coaches told Jacoby and Bowman they already have a load of younger players on the defensive line.

Though he grew up going to games and rooting for the Buckeyes, Bowman isn't bothered by the snub.

"It's not a good situation for them to take me, and I understand it," said Bowman, a two-time all-stater.

The Illini have a few recruiting advantages with Bowman. Jacoby went to college with Illinois defensive coordinator Tim Kish. And former St. Francis de Sales kicker Brent Peterson is a freshman at Illinois.

"I do like to have somebody over there to talk to," Bowman said of Peterson. "He said it's a real great place."

Like Bowman, Harris has one more official visit before picking a school. He will make the short trip this weekend to Ohio University.

"Illinois is at the top of his list," Chillicothe coach Bill Dennis said.

The 6-2, 230-pounder has the speed to excel in the Big Ten, Dennis said.