Illini's Mendenhall likely a goner

The Big Ten's Offensive Player of the Year is all but off to find his fortune in the NFL.

Ever since Rashard Mendenhall began answering questions about the 2008 NFL draft -- a process that began in earnest in late October -- the junior running back never tried to ply Illinois fans with false hope for a return.

"You can't play football for a long time," Mendenhall said on Oct. 27 after rushing for 189 yards against Ball State. "It's going to end, so you've got to try and weigh all options."

Now, with 10 days until the deadline for underclassmen to put their name in the draft, coach Ron Zook has joined the group of public realists.

"I talked to Rashard (Thursday) night and talked to his mom a couple of times," Zook said Friday. "If I was guessing, I'd say Rashard's coming out. And I'm behind Rashard 100 percent."

If Mendenhall takes his school-record 1,681 rushing yards and 17 scores to the NFL, then that leaves junior Dan Dufrene (47 carries, 294 yards, 2 TDs) as Illinois' most experienced running back for 2008.

That might frighten Illini fans, particularly since Mendenhall was far and away Illinois' best weapon in the 49-17 Rose Bowl loss to USC.

But it doesn't seem to bother Zook.

"I know this," Zook said. "I am more excited now about where we're at and where we're going.

"I told the staff today, the two most important days in my life now are national letter (of intent) day and the Missouri game."

Recruits can sign letters starting on Feb. 6, while Illinois meets Missouri in St. Louis on Aug. 30