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ALL GROWN UP

He came to his first Camp Rantoul as a former high school quarterback, one who helped buddy and teammate ARRELIOUS BENN become one of the nation's premier receivers.

Today, while Benn is trying to make an impression as a rookie with the Tampa Bay Bucs, NATE BUSSEY soaks in his final Camp Rantoul.

Technically, he's a linebacker. In reality, he's a big nickel back. Bussey is about 20 pounds heavier than the guy who first arrived on campus in 2007.

"I feel great about this camp," Bussey said. "I know they expect a lot out of me. My bar has been raised to a different standard. This camp has been, by far, the best one I've been to so far. Not only because it's my senior year, but because of how things are functioning and the team is coming together. We're becoming one unit. I really enjoy being around the people. The sun isn't as hot as it usually is."

Bussey started five games in 2009. His role is expected to increase.

"He never gets tired," Illinois coach RON ZOOK said. "He plays on all the special teams. He's played an awful lot of football. He's usually the first one out here and the last one to leave. He's a leader. He's always upbeat. Those are always good things."

Looking at him now, it's hard to picture Bussey playing quarterback at Washington (D.C.) Dunbar.

"They would have to go to YouTube and get some video," Bussey said.

Bussey hasn't talked to Benn since right after the receiver signed with the Bucs. There will be time later. And Bussey plans to be watching on Sundays.

UPSIDE DOWN

Zook flipped his workout Thursday, having the team period at the start of the session rather than at the end.

"It just kind of changes the monotony of it, I guess you'd say," Zook said.

HOLDING OFF

As practices continue next week, Zook said it will be a continuation of training camp. The team won't dive into preparation for Missouri until the week of the game.

"I don't think you start on a team too early," Zook said. "You get stale on them. We'll obviously talk about them. We've talked about them already."

GOOD DEAL

Amtrak is making it easier, and less expensive, for fans to get to the Sept. 11 Illinois-Southern Illinois game at Memorial Stadium.

Amtrak is offering a 20 percent discount to fans traveling by train from Chicago or Carbondale that weekend. The discounted travel is available for Friday to Sunday. Those booking online should enter promotional code V840. You can also call 1-800-USA-RAIL.

SPECIAL GUESTS

The city of Rantoul, led by mayor NEAL WILLIAMS, held its annual camp dinner after Thursday's practice. City officials dined just south of the fields and visited with Zook.

SCHEDULE STUFF

The team has a single session at 10:15 a.m. today. The workout was originally scheduled for 3:30 p.m., but was pushed up to give the players time to take care of business this afternoon in Champaign-Urbana. The team will scrimmage at about 10 a.m. Saturday, then break camp. The players have Sunday off.

Position watch: Offensive tackles

One position has been locked up, really, since last season. Though they've asked him to play more consistently, JEFF ALLEN will be the starter on the weak side.

The big question going into Camp Rantoul was who would play on the strong side? COREY LEWIS was expected to compete for the job, but he tore his ACL in the spring game.

Lewis is in uniform and rehabbing his injured knee. Though he would like to get ready to go by midyear, the reality is that he'll have to redshirt. That will give the big Pennsylvanian two more years in PAUL PETRINO's offense.

With Lewis on the sidelines, the Illinois coaches were hoping RYAN PALMER would take command. And the fifth-year senior has done just that. Having the best camp of his career, the Ohio product is the likely starter for the Sept. 4 game against Missouri.

With Palmer playing well, it has allowed the Illinois coaches to keep HUGH THORNTON working at guard. Thornton ended his redshirt midway through the 2009 season and started at tackle the final seven games.

The third tackle will be either Thornton or junior CRAIG WILSON.

"It seems like only yesterday I remember coming through those doors, not sure what my future was going to be here," Wilson said. "Seeing a lot of older guys like X (XAVIER FULTON) and now they're gone, it's like 'Wow.' When I walk in the locker room, I almost still hear them even though they're not there. It's pretty funny, actually."

Fulton predicted Wilson would replace him as a starting tackle at Illinois. There's still time.

"He was like a big brother," Wilson said. "I kind of feel like I let him down, but in a sense he still kept my head up and made me strive to work harder."

Coaching corner: Tight ends/fullbacks coach Chip Long

He's been on the Illinois staff barely a month. And he's spent about as many days in Rantoul as in his new city.

There will be a chance to get to know Champaign-Urbana later. For now, CHIP LONG is all football, all the time.

"I couldn't ask for a better situation," Long said. "I get to be around my guys all the time. There's a lot you can tell about a kid when you're around him all day long as opposed being here six months."

There's a reason Long is coaching both the tight ends and fullbacks. In the Illinois offense, the two positions are supposed to be interchangeable.

"If you have players who can do both, you can rotate them so they're fresh all the time," Long said. "I tell them all the time, 'I'm going to want the hot guy who is playing the fastest that day.' It gives them some motivation."

Long knows the tight end position well. He was a Division II All-America tight end in 2005 at North Alabama.

After his playing days ended, Long went to work for PAUL PETRINO, first at Louisville and later at Arkansas. He was scheduled to be a graduate assistant with the Razorbacks this season before GREG NORD left Illinois for Kentucky.

Hiring Long was easy for Illinois because of his knowledge of the offense.

"I thank Coach Zook every single day for giving me the opportunity," Long said. "Now, we've gotten into the coaching deal and I don't have to worry about moving or anything. I get to teach. It's been great."

Long's got a handful of holdovers at his positions. And he's got a newcomer who has made big play after big play during Camp Rantoul, freshman EVAN WILSON.

"He's doing great," Long said. "The thing about Evan is that he's just so much mentally tougher than a normal freshman. He's doing what he's supposed to do when he's tired and keep pushing through."

At 27, Long isn't far removed from his playing days and isn't a lot older than the Illini. His age hasn't been an issue.

"In the end, they want to know if you know what you're talking about and if you care about them," Long said. "I know what they're going through."

Survey says ...

Each day during Camp Rantoul, we will run survey answers from the Illinois football players. Today's guests:

PUNTER ANTHONY SANTELLA

Two years in, thumbs up or thumbs down to Pres. Obama? Two thumbs way down

Complete this sentence, LeBron James is ... just trying to win a championship, but very overdramatic.

Better hair: Ron Zook or Rod Blagojevich? Ron Zook

Twitter or Facebook? Facebook

Who is the most famous person in your cell phone? Arrelious Benn

What school should the Big Ten get next? Mizzou

What's your all-time favorite kids movie? "The Mighty Ducks"

Name the one thing new president Michael Hogan needs to add to campus? A new bar

Have the Blackhawks made you a hockey fan? Always been one, made a lot of bandwagoners, though.

Who is your smartest teammate? Zach Becker

Which of your teammates has a future in Hollywood? Walt Aikens

Favorite former Illini currently in the NFL? Pierre Thomas (above)

Best road trip in the Big Ten? Hoping Northwestern at Wrigley

Other than your girlfriend/wife, who will be cool if you answer this, who is your dream date? The brunette who sat two rows in front of me in economics. Call me!

Who is the last guy on the team you can picture getting married? Zak Pedersen

Should they take Reggie Bush's Heisman away? No, that goes on everywhere. Or, give it to me at least.

LINEBACKER ASHANTE WILLIAMS

Two years in, thumbs up or thumbs down to Pres. Obama? Thumbs up

Better hair: Ron Zook or Rod Blagojevich? Rod Blagojevich

Twitter or Facebook? Twitter

Who is the most famous person in your cell phone? Vontae Davis

What school should the Big Ten get next? Texas

What's your all-time favorite kids movie? "The Lion King" and "Toy Story"

Name the one thing new president Michael Hogan needs to add to campus? Popeyes

Have the Blackhawks made you a hockey fan? No

Who is your smartest teammate? Zach Becker

Which of your teammates has a future in Hollywood? London Davis

Best road trip in the Big Ten? Ohio State

Other than your girlfriend/wife, who will be cool if you answer this, who is your dream date? Alicia Keys (above)

Who is the last guy on the team you can picture getting married? Mikel Leshoure

Should they take Reggie Bush's Heisman away? No