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Football's Second Season

The good news is Illinois has offered scholarships to more good prospects than any other school, especially in the traditionally fertile recruiting states of Ohio, Pennsylvania, Florida and the Carolinas.

The bad news is one of coach Ron Zook's first commitments doesn't appear to be as committed as he hoped he would be.

Illinois is leading the nation in offers, at least 150, and the list includes of the top five quarterbacks in the nation, the best player and the best offensive lineman in Pennsylvania and four highly rated prospects at the top producing football program in the Midwest.

John Simon of Youngstown, Ohio, a 6-4, 270-pound defensive tackle with 4.7 speed, is the No. 1 player in his state. He has committed to Ohio State over Notre Dame.

But Illinois has offered the No. 2 prospect in Ohio, 6-5, 300-pound offensive lineman Marcus Hall, and three of his teammates from coach Ted Ginn's football factory at Cleveland Glenville--5-10, 175-pound defensive back Michael Edwards, 6-1, 210-pound linebacker Travis Freeman and 6-2, 220-pound linebacker Jonathan Newsome.

Hall, a 5-star player, also has been offered by every Big 10 shool except Northwestern. Newsome also has been offered by Ohio State, Michigan State, Indiana and Purdue. Edwards also has been offered by Indiana. Thomas said Illinois has indicated it will make an official offer soon.

Melvin Fellows, a 6-5, 245-pound defensive end from Garfield Heights, Ohio, who is rated the No. 1 player in his state by one Ohio recruiting service, originally committed to Illinois. But he has visited Ohio State and Michigan State and said he plans to visit other schools.

In my view, Fellows remains uncommitted. It can't be considered a commitment in the true sense of the word if he is visiting other schools. He has a college build and a lot of potential. But I have talked to high school coaches in Cleveland who don't believe he is the best player in Ohio.

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