Shawn Afryl
Offensive guard
Niles West
6-3, 300

Our take: Afryl is the first Niles West product to sign a letter of intent with Illinois since Rashard Mendenhall, which worked out pretty well for the Illini. Afryl has stuck by the Illini through the program's turmoil since his April commitment. He'll need time in the weight room before he'll hit the field, but he could be a starter at guard or center as an upperclassman.

Why Illinois? "It was between Illinois and Purdue, and when Illinois got Coach (Joe) Gilbert as their line coach, I was sold. He's just my kind of guy. I can deal with him every day. No BS. I like that."

Favorite moment in football: "When I scored a touchdown because that doesn't happen a lot for linemen. My second game of my junior season, I recovered a fumble and returned it 25 yards to give our team the lead for good. The quarterback didn't even try to tackle me, but he was in the picture the whole way."

Favorite football player, college or pro: "Walter Payton, the one and only."
What school do you want to see the Big Ten add? "Why not Notre Dame? Big, bad Notre Dame, why not?"

College football playoff or BCS? "Playoffs, all the way. I think you'll see who truly is the best, but it probably won't happen, I think."

Are you playing in the Missouri game? "We'll see if they need me or they want me to redshirt. Whatever they want, I'll do."

What do you need to improve most before the start of the season? "I'd probably say just some footwork, and then if I'm playing center I'll need to learn how to play center."