Graham Pocic Goes Big

Welcome back for another inside look at Illinois football. IlliniBeat met with Illinois offensive lineman Graham Pocic recently, and here is what he had to say.

IlliniBeat: Camp Rantoul as a true Freshman and Camp Rantoul this year... How much of a difference is there?

Graham Pocic: "It's like night and day. Your first time out there you feel a little bit lost, and you're still trying to get used to the speed of the game. You want to come out and prove that you belong, but at the same time you aren't quite sure where to go or what to do. It's all a comfort thing."

IB: How have you improved since you got to college?

GP: "The coaching that you receive in college is completely different from the coaching in high school. There is much more one on one time. Technique is big at this level and they stress that a lot more than in high school."

IB: Well at 6'7", 320 lbs. you probably didn't need much technique back then.

GP: "A lot of the time that was true, but not anymore. At this level the defensive lines are too strong and fast to just rely on your size. Footwork and technique become the difference between a big guy and a football player."

IB: One of the things I have been asking a lot of the guys about is the transition from one offensive coordinator to a new one. Does that affect you guys on the line too, or does it mostly apply to the skill guys?

GP: "That's mostly for the position players. We still use a zone blocking scheme and the playbook is mostly the same so the transition wasn't a big deal."

IB: You played a big part in recruiting other players to Illinois when you were in high school. You committed early and called other guys encouraging them to join you. Did the coaches push that?

GP: "They didn't discourage it it by any means, but it's not like they told me who to call and when. I was very excited to commit to Illinois, and I just wanted to try and bring in the best class possible. You can work hard on your own, but when you know the other guys are doing the same it's easier to give 110%."

IB: What do you think about the running backs this year? Do you feel like you have some good guys to block for?

GP: "I really do. Everyone is talking about the wide receivers and Juice, for good reason, but I really feel like the running backs are good too. From the top of the depth chart to the bottom, the guys all work hard."

IB: Tell me about Justin Green.

GP: He's going to be good. He cuts hard and is very good at hitting the holes we create for him. Justin is the kind of guy that can score every time he gets the ball."

IB: Lastly, I saw offensive lineman Craig Wilson do a cartwheel after a touchdown in camp, can you do one of those?

GP: "(Laughing) Trust me, no one wants to see that!"

Scott Stepping Up

Sophomore wide receiver Cordale Scott was kind enough to meet with IlliniBeat during Illinois media day and answer some questions about the 2009 season.

IlliniBeat: Thanks for your time Cordale. You graduated from Cleveland Glenville in Ohio. Your school recently has produced Ted Ginn Jr., Donte Whitner, and 2006 Heisman Winner Troy Smith... And they all went to Ohio State. What was it like turning down an offer from the Buckeyes?

Cordale Scott: "There is definitely a lot of pressure from the Ohio people to go to OSU. I just felt that I had to do what was best for me... I liked Ohio State a lot and still do, but I just felt that Illinois was the place for me."

IB: Ted Ginn Sr. was your coach in high school, and he does the Ted Ginn Bus Tour each year for Ohio high school players. Were you a part of that?

CS: "Yeah, that was a lot of fun. I got to meet some of the other top players in Ohio and visit some really nice schools. It was just a good experience both for football and personally. I made some good friends who I still talk to."

IB: Tell me a little bit more about what you saw in Illinois.

CS: "It was just the people and the whole environment. It's a family atmosphere at Illinois, and you have to think about who you will be spending the next three to five years with. The coaches and players both made me feel at home."

IB: Speaking of coaches, you were recruited by Eric Wolford (Former Illini offensive line coach now at South Carolina). What was it like losing him after forming a bond?

CS: "It was definitely tough. He and I were close and talked a lot during the recruiting process. The same thing with Coach Locksley, (Former Illini offensive coordinator, now New Mexico head coach, Mike Locksley) we were close too. But Coach Zook sat down and talked with me. This is a business, and coaches are going to move around at every level of football."

IB: What is it like working with guys like Rejus Benn and Jarred Fayson in practice?

CS: "It's great. You know that you can't take any plays off because those guys won't let you. It's important to just realize that you are lucky to be around future NFL guys, and you should soak up all you can."

IB: What goes through your head when you hear media reports that Illinois has a top-10 receiving corps?

CS: "Coach Zook tells us not to read press clippings, and I try not to. That stuff is fun and all when it's good, but it can be easy to let it get in your head when it isn't good. It's better to just try and not read it."

Rejus Eats Right

Catching up with All-American wide receiver Rejus Benn, IlliniBeat had a chance to ask the proficient pass catcher a little about his diet and the upcoming season.

IlliniBeat: Have you always been a healthy eater?

Rejus Benn: "It started in ninth grade. I realized I could really make a living playing football someday and decided I wanted to take better care of my body."

IB: What kind of things are included in your diet?

RB: "Well, it's more of what is not included. I don't eat chicken any more. No chicken. A lot of red meat cooked medium rare. You gotta get those vegetables in too.

IB: Well, I'm guessing that excludes you from any midnight runs to Taco Bell...

RB: (Laughing) "Yeah, it can be hard sometimes. But when you really learn what's going into your body, it can be easy to give that stuff up."

IB: Has your healthy lifestyle worn off on any of your teammates?

RB: "Not really. Most of the guys either eat well or they don't. Eating healthy is sort of like your music taste, you like it or you don't."

IB: You have been a leader since you arrived your freshman year. Now that the receiving corps has some proven guys and upperclassmen to help you lead, is it easier to concentrate on yourself in camp?

RB: "Definitely. Right now I feel like we have not a couple but a whole group of guys who can go out there and play good football. When I first got here there was a lot of pressure not only to win but to perform as an individual because the passing game hadn't been producing like it needed to. Now I can concentrate more and relax."

IB: Has there been much of a transition switching from Coach Mike Locksley as offensive coordinator to Coach Mike Schultz?

RB: "As far as the play book it's pretty much the same. Schultz changed a few things, but really it isn't much different."

IB: And personality?

RB: "Well really the biggest thing is the accent. Schultz has that down South thing going on."

IB: What would be a successful season for you?

RB: "Just to return to a bowl game and to challenge for a Big Ten title. I really don't care about the personal numbers as much as I do the team wins."

More player interviews coming soon. Email IlliniBeat@gmail.com with any question requests.

Camp Rantoul Notes

Camp Rantoul is a crazy time for coaches, players, and media alike. It's hard to keep up with the workouts which span three fields. Here are some notes from this year's camp.


The safety position is one that fans often ask about. While the Illini faithful can rest easy knowing Donsay Hardeman's neck injury hasn't slowed him down much, the other safety spot seems to be up in the air. My guess is that junior Garret Edwards will get the nod for that first play against Missouri. Edwards may not have the athletic ability that sophomore Supo Sanni has, but he has the experience. Coach Zook has said many times that this year's defense must cut down on the big plays, and we all know that Missouri has been a big play offense over the last few years. Sanni did however receive work with the first team, and the coaches love to get in his ear after every play. You can tell that as the year goes on the staff would like to see Sanni challenge Edwards for time.

With the recent news of Terry Hawthorne's switch to defense, the time spent scouting him at wide receiver leaves me with little information about his hopes of playing time. I do know however that everything people have been saying about his athleticism is true. Surgery from a broken hand kept Hawthorne in a red "no tackle" jersey for most of Rantoul, but the word is that it is a precaution and he should be just fine by Sept. 5.

Joelil Thrash has been a very pleasant surprise this camp. The freshman defensive back out of Washington D.C. Woodson (the same school as QB Eddie McGee, DB Tavon Wilson, and LB Evan Frierson) got plenty of coaching just as Sanni did. He isn't the biggest player on the field, but he again is the breed of athlete that Zook has been bringing to Illinois. His cuts are quick and smooth, he just needs some time in the weight room and coaching.


A great match up to watch in the one-on-one receiving drills is wide receiver Cordale Scott against defensive back Dere Hicks. Hicks is listed at 5'10", 175 lbs. Scott on the other hand comes in at 6'4" 215 lbs. Advantage Scott. But somehow the out-sized Hicks fought for position and broke up some good passes. Scott won the jump balls for the most part, and I think that is where he will flourish in the college game. He not only has the height but also has long arms which he needs to use to snatch the ball out of the air and not wait for it to come to his body. Jeff Cumberland needs to get better at this as well, but at 6'5" 255 lbs. he has even more size to simply muscle for position.


In an interview with Chris Duvalt, IlliniBeat learned that his move from defensive back to wide receiver is something he wishes he had done freshman year. "It's a comfort thing," Duvalt explained, "I just feel like receiver comes naturally for me." Joining a corps which includes seniors Cumberland and Chris James as well as juniors, All-American Rejus Benn and promising Florida transfer Jarred Fayson, Duvalt also feels that he has been able to help the young guys mature.

Senior Quarterback Named to Manning List; Linebacker up for Lombardi

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - University of Illinois senior quarterback Juice Williams and junior linebacker Martez Wilson have been named to preseason watch lists, as announced by the awards' committees, Monday. Williams is up for the Manning Award given to the nation's top quarterbacks, and Wilson for the Rotary Lombardi Award, which is given to the outstanding offensive or defensive player set no farther than 10 yards from the ball.


Williams returns for his fourth season as Illinois' starting quarterback after leading the Big Ten in passing and total offense as a junior. Williams hopes to lead the Illini back to national prominence as he did in 2007 when the squad played in the 2008 Rose Bowl. In three seasons under center, he has racked up over 6,400 passing yards and over 2,000 on the ground. He is on pace to break Illinois' career records for passing and total offense and will challenge the Big Ten's all-time total offense mark.

Wilson enters his second season as a starter at linebacker and first in the middle. He ranked 14th in the Big Ten in tackles in 2008 and fifth in fumbles recovered. In two seasons, he has recorded 98 stops, including 8.5 for loss, and five sacks. He is ranked in preseason publications as an All-Big Ten selection and earned freshman All-America honors in 2007.

(Information from Illinois DIA)

Williams Named to Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Watch List

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. University of Illinois senior quarterback Juice Williams has been named to the 22-man watch list for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm award, given to the nation's top senior signal-caller.

Williams returns for his fourth season as the Illinois' starting quarterback after leading the Big Ten in passing and total offense as a junior. Williams hopes to lead the Illini back to national prominence as he did in 2007 when the squad played in the 2008 Rose Bowl. In three seasons under center, he has racked up over 6,400 passing yards and over 2,000 on the ground. He is on pace to break Illinois' career records for passing and total offense and will challenge the Big Ten's all-time total offense mark.

Named after the man many refer to as the greatest quarterback ever to play the game of football, Johnny Unitas, the Golden Arm award is sponsored by the Golden Arm Educational Foundation, Inc. and Transamerica, a leading provider of innovative business and personal financial services.

The 2009 winner will be presented with the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award on Friday, December 11 at the Tremont Grand Meeting & Banquet Facility in downtown Baltimore.

(Information from Illinois DIA)

For more information visit www.goldenarmfoundation.com

Illinois Sells Out Student Football Season Tickets

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. <>

"Reaching the student cap is one of our annual goals," Assistant Director of Athletics for Ticket Operations Jason Heggemeyer said. "It's a great indicator that we're on our way to more sellouts and a tremendous home field environment at Memorial Stadium."

Memorial Stadium is on the brink of being sold out for the Oct. 3 Penn State game and the Oct. 10 Michigan State contest. The game against the Spartans also serves as the 2009 Homecoming game. Both the Oct. 31 Michigan and the Nov. 14 Northwestern games will soon require the opening of the first five obstructed rows in the lower bowl.

"The energy at our football games begins with the student section," said Chris Hanna, Assistant Director of Athletics for Sales & Marketing. "There is a great deal of buzz about Coach Zook's football team and his coaching staff on our campus, in our community, and across our state. People should act quickly if they want to join the sea of orange at Memorial Stadium. Our top games will sell out soon."

Illinois doubled its season ticket base over the past two years, including four sellouts in each of those seasons. This year's ticket sales are comparable to 2008 levels. Fighting Illini football tickets can be purchased any time at FightingIllini.com or by calling 1-866-ILLINI-1 during normal business hours.

(Information from Illinois DIA)

Just in time for some football!

Welcome to Illini Beat, your newest source for all things Illini. Ron Zook showed off his new roster Thursday as the Illini took the practice field for the first time since spring ball. The team worked in two squads with the Orange taking the field first. Here is a look at the quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers who went first.

Coach Zook seemed as energetic as ever, high-fiving players during warm-ups and moving from drill to drill. The Orange squad featured senior QB Juice Williams, junior wide receivers Rejus Benn and Jarred Fayson, and U.S. Army All-American freshman Justin Green.

The talk of the summer has been the receivers who have been rated by some recruiting services as high as the number two unit in the nation. After watching Benn and Fayson on Thursday, the hype seems warranted. Both players showed great leadership both vocally and with their play. Benn has been double-teamed since the first snap he took at Illinois, but those days may be over. Fayson looked great running routes and snatching the ball out of the air. I think it would be safe to say that the young wideouts are learning from some of the best. Speaking of young wideouts, I was impressed with sophomore Cordale Scott who looked every bit of his 6' 3" listing. Fans were excited to grab Scott out of Cleveland Glenville, the same OSU pipeline school that produced Ted Ginn Jr. and Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith. He may be ready to live up to the excitement.

The Orange running backs included senior Daniel Dufrene, sophomore Mikel Leshoure, and the aforementioned Green. The drills were low contact, but you still got the sense that Green came to campus ready to compete. He grabs the ball out of the backfield and takes off with a great burst. Former Champaign Centennial product Mikel Leshoure has always been an imposing figure at 225 lbs., but after a great year in the weight room he looks much leaner. Dufrene was best in the pitch drills. He showed his maturity securing the ball.

The quarterbacks were throwing and running the option. Juice has obviously worked on his timing. He seemed poised and confident. It may only be the first practice, but you can tell Juice wants to leave Illinois the right way. Watching him work with quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase was fun, because it's apparent that the younger guys really look up to him. Scheelhaase was mobile as advertised and was surprisingly accurate. If I had to choose something for him to work on, it would be arm strength.

Overall the offensive skill positions looked solid for a team starting a new season. There is a lot of talent but also a lot of experience. The Orange squad featured a number of key players for the Illini. The skill positions are looking good on offense, and that will be important as this team figures to score a lot of points.

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