'09 IL DE Craig Drummond (Ole Miss Verbal)

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Morgan Park defensive end Craig Drummond is the "leading prospect" in Illinois, according to recruiting analyst Tom Lemming.
(Mark Kuefner/For the Sun-Times)

"Drummond is clearly the leading prospect. He is like Richard Dent in high school," Lemming said. "But he has been downgraded a bit by some analysts and college coaches because they aren?t sure if he will qualify academically. I don?t get that. What has he done to warrant being dropped? He hasn?t played a game since November.

"He is still the best player I have seen. Defensive ends are more difficult to discover than offensive linemen. Watt is one of the best offensive linemen in the country and he gets more attention because he is a good student. But Drummond has great speed and burst and explosive moves that give him an edge."

Sandburg's Schofield fast to rise :: FOOTBALL :: YourSeason

YouTube - #90 - Craig Drummond, Morgan Park H.S.,...

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Rivals $

7/29

From O&B News...fully qualified...names a top 4 of Illinois, Tennessee, LSU and Wisconsin and will like take 5 officials to those schools and one other. Talks about why he likes Illinois.

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Scout $

8/20

By Trieu...not focused on recruiting at this time...and won't be until December.

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Top area recuit Drummond out for Week 1 -- chicagotribune.com

The debut of the Chicago-area's top uncommitted recruit will have to wait at least one more week.

Morgan Park's 6-foot-5-inch, 260-pound defensive end Craig Drummond will be watching from the Soldier Field sideline Saturday when his teammates confront No. 16 Brother Rice in the Kickoff Classic that also features No. 1 Mt. Carmel against Curie and Fenwick versus Lane Tech.

"It's a high-ankle sprain I injured in practice,'' Drummond said. "I know my team's got my back, and I'm hoping to return next week.''

Drummond said there is no front-runner among his college choices and that he will make official visits after the season before making a decision.

"Getting scholarship offers makes me feel pretty good, that all the hard work is paying off,'' Drummond said. "I was always a basketball player until the 8th grade when I started playing football.

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Scout $

10/8

Drummond's final 5 are Wisconsin, Illinois, LSU, Miami, and Tennessee; all of whom he'll visit following his senior season. Interested in LSU because of the rate they send D-Linemen to the league. Still hasn't been able to return from the high ankle sprain, but hopes to do so in a couple of weeks.

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ESPN - Midwest Recruiting Blog

Defensive end Craig Drummond (Chicago/Morgan Park) is one of the few top prospects in the Midwest yet to select a college. In all likelihood, that is not going to change anytime in the near future.

"I'm going to take my official visits," Drummond said. "I'm going to wait until after the [football] season to schedule them."

The 6-foot-5, 260-pound Drummond, the No. 67 prospect in the ESPNU 150, is considering Illinois, Wisconsin, Miami, LSU and Tennessee.

"Those will be my five visits," Drummond said. "I'm looking at all of them. They are all equal."

Of the five, Drummond has made unofficial visits to Illinois and Wisconsin. He has never been to the other three schools.

Drummond has yet to play in a game this season. He sustained a high ankle sprain shortly before his team's first game and said his doctor has not yet released him to play. He hopes to be back in action within two weeks.

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Scout.com: Choices but No Decision

10/15

Wisconsin is trying to secure a visit within the next few weeks. Wants to go somewhere where the program is in the spotlight, locally at least, and also where the coaching gives him the best chance to succeed. Prides himself on his leadership and ability to be a complete defensive end.

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Rivals $

10/20

From the Wisconsin site...is down to Illinois and Wisconsin (in that order). Talks about his upcoming visit to Madison for the Baders/Illini game.

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10/21

From O&B News...plans to commit on 11/2. Recaps his official visit to Illinois for the Indiana game.

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Rivals.com Football Recruiting - Penn State could turn some top prospects

Illinois looks to have a sizeable lead for Chicago Morgan Park defensive end Craig Drummond, who will announce his college choice Nov. 2, his birthday. That will be the day after he takes his official visit to Wisconsin, his other finalist, to watch the Badgers take on the Illini. Drummond was at Illinois this past weekend for an official visit and narrowed his list to Illinois and Wisconsin shortly thereafter. It would be a stunner if the Badgers get him.

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It’s Illinois vs. Wisconsin for top recruit | Inside Scoop

Originally posted: October 22, 2008

It's Illinois vs. Wisconsin for top recruit

Morgan Park's Craig Drummond, rated among the top defensive ends in the country, has narrowed his college choices to Illinois and Wisconsin.

The 6-foot-5-inch, 270-pound Drummond, who is sitting out the season with a high ankle sprain, will be in Madison this weekend for the Illini-Badgers game.

What if the winner gets Drummond?

"Yeah, that would be funny," Drummond said. "I like both schools and they both have great coaching staffs. There isn’t much difference between them. They are also both close to home.

"My parents wanted me to sit out the season. They didn’t want my injury to get worse."

Drummond had included Miami, Tennessee and Louisiana State in his final five.

"I wanted a school that was closer to home," Drummond said.

Ex-Morgan Park and current Illini receiver Chris James spoke once to Drummond about the benefits of life in Champaign.

"Mostly we talk about other things," Drummond said. "He doesn’t want to put pressure on me and wants me to make my own decision."

Drummond said he will announce his decision on Nov. 2 - his 18th birthday.

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Scout $

10/29

The Wisconsin visit didn't nearly live up to Drummond's expectations...in spite of the Badgers prevailing in their contest w/ Illinois. Needless to say Illinois is still his leader, but still maintains he'll choose "between" Illinois and Wisconsin come November 2nd.

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'Dominating' Drummond headed to Illinois :: REGIONAL SPORTS :: YourSeason

Illinois football coach Ron Zook has scored a major recruiting coup by landing an oral commitment from 6-5, 265-pound senior Craig Drummond of Morgan Park, one of the top-rated defensive ends in the country, the Sun-Times has learned. He chose Illinois over Wisconsin.

Continued...

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11/2

From O&B News...talks abouts why he chose Illinois over Wisconsin.

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ESPN - Kennard dominates defending the run and pass - Football Recruiting

Toughest run defenders

What Scouts Inc. looks for: There is more to this position than just chasing quarterbacks. A successful defense must stop the run, and the defensive end must do his part. He must be able to take on a blocker -- even double teams -- and not be pushed off the line of scrimmage. He must be able to move well laterally and keep containment on the outside. He has to be strong enough to keep blockers off him and shed to make tackles or fast enough to chase plays down if an offense runs away from him.

[b]3. Craig Drummond (Chicago/Morgan Park)

It turns out the No. 1 and No. 3 run defenders at the end position are hurt. Drummond has missed his senior year due to foot and ankle problems, but when healthy, he can be a stud against the ground game. This kid has tremendous size for a high schooler, and naturally that helps him when he needs to battle and hold his ground versus blockers. He has a good wingspan and uses that to his advantage. He is able to engage, separate and shed from blockers. When he fires off the ball with good pad level, he can control blockers and knock them on their heels. Drummond needs to get and stay healthy, but if he can, he has the size and tools to make offenses think twice about running his way.