Finals finished, Illini focus on Rose Bowl preparations
CHAMPAIGN -- After a five-day respite for final exams, Illinois resumed preparations for the Rose Bowl on Friday afternoon.
Intensity was high for the two-hour session, even though the players were in shoulder pads and shorts.
"In terms of energy and excitement, probably couldn't have asked for any more," Illinois coach Ron Zook said. "Intensity? Couldn't have asked for any more. Are we a little rusty? Probably, but we weren't as rusty today as when we first came back (after Thanksgiving week)."
Starting strong-side linebacker Brit Miller sat out practice with turf toe, but he ran sprints on the side and Zook indicated he'll return soon.
Illinois plans to do some scrimmaging today, then take advantage of the end of the semester with double sessions Monday.
The Illini will continue practicing here until Thursday, then they'll take four days off for the holidays before boarding a charter flight Christmas night for Pasadena.
Recruits: Illinois already has 24 oral commitments in the 2008 recruiting class, but there remains room for seven or eight more.
That's why the Illini hurried off the practice field Friday -- so every player and coach could entertain the fistful of recruits in town for their official visits.
The headliners are Cleveland Glenville's Cordale Scott, a 6-foot-3 wide receiver, and Shawntel Rowell, a 6-4, 325-pound defensive tackle.
Both visited Ohio State and left without making a commitment, which could bode well for the Illini.
Wide receiver Brodrick Smith (Garden City, Kan.), linebacker Evan Frierson (Woodson HS, Washington) and offensive tackle Mark Popek (Plant City, Fla.) also watched practice.
Running back Mikel LeShoure, a Champaign product who committed to Illinois last month and plans to enroll in January, spent part of his time talking with the visitors.
Zook as in Hulk: In Sunday's Daily Herald, there'll be a Q&A with much-lauded Illinois strength and conditioning coach Lou Hernandez.
But there's too much stuff to fit into that story, so here's a taste as Hernandez describes Ron Zook's workout regimen.
For example, the players lift 2-3 times per week during the season. The 53-year-old Zook lifts four days a week -- either before or after practice -- and that doesn't take into account his daily 3-mile run on the treadmill at 6:30 a.m.
"He is the most consistent person in the building when it comes to his lifts," said Hernandez, who spots when Zook works on free weights.
"He has everything from a 500-pound squat to a 300-pound bench press. I chart everything for him as well. He wants to know how he's doing compared to where he's done."
Zook guessed he can lift more weight now than when he started at safety for Miami (Ohio) in the early 1970s.
"I go in there and get my tension out," Zook said. "Plus, it's a way that I know what's going on down there. We talk about every player and where they're at. That's so important down there.
"I know when somebody's having an issue or somebody's having a problem. Where our strength levels are. What kind of condition we think we're in. All the information you use to make decisions."
No Morgan: Sophomore wide receiver Joe Morgan's "personal issues" appear to include an inability to be an Illini.
He was not at Friday's practice and isn't expected to be part of the Rose Bowl entourage, though he is listed in Illinois' official bowl media guide.