Juniors Buchanan, Spence, Hawthorne staying put
The Illinois early-entry list for the NFL will apparently hold at one.
Defensive end Whitney Mercilus announced his decision to leave earlier in the month. He is projected as a first-round choice.
Three other Illini asked for the opinion of an NFL advisory committee. None of the three — bandit Michael Buchanan, defensive tackle Akeem Spence and cornerback Terry Hawthorne — will be a part of the 2012 draft.
Hawthorne was named Defensive MVP of the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl, scoring the lead touchdown for Illinois on an interception return. The former News-Gazette All-State Player of the Year from East St. Louis has battled injuries during his Illinois career.
Buchanan finished second on the team in sacks with 7.5 and was fifth on the team in tackles. He had 13.5 tackles for loss, good for third on the team.
Spence was fourth on the team with 69 tackles, including 1.5 sacks.
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