Mendenhall might make early jump to NFL
With each additional 100-yard game and tackle-shredding trip into the end zone, Rashard Mendenhall must answer that many more questions about his future.
Specifically, where will the junior running back play next year? Could he leave early for the NFL?
"You know, that's always in the back of your mind," Mendenhall said after Saturday's 28-17 victory over Ball State. "You want to do that, but as of right now I just want to play the season and focus on the season and then look back and weigh your options."
Leaving seems much more realistic today than it did nine weeks ago for the Niles West product.
One pro scout suggested that the 5-foot-11, 218-pounder, who doesn't turn 21 until June, already owned the prototypical NFL body going into the season.
And with 1,113 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns through nine games, Mendenhall's muscular numbers have caught up to his physique. Before he decides whether to jump, he will try to find out how high he projects in the April draft.
"I just want to know and just try to make the best decision," he said. "You can't play football for a long time. It's going to end, so you've got to try and weigh all options.
"The coaches and my family, we try to keep all that separate. We've got a season to play. After the season there's going to be plenty of time to decide what we're all going to do."
Mendenhall needs just 218 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns to break Illinois' single-season records in both categories.
Rejus rules: Freshman receiver Arrelious "Rejus" Benn got lost in the hubbub of Rashard Mendenhall's and Juice Williams' milestone performances Saturday.
But Benn put his name in the Illinois record book as well with his 4-catch, 97-yard showing. His 556 receiving yards for the year broke Brandon Lloyd's freshman record.
Benn, who owns a team-high 42 catches, needs just 2 more to break Ty Douthard's freshman receptions mark.
Benn has an outside chance to become the eighth Illinois player (and sixth wide receiver) to catch 60 passes in a season.
New commit: According to Rivals.com's "Edgy Tim" O'Halloran, Homewood-Flossmoor free safety Supo Sanni committed to Illinois on Sunday as he concluded his official visit.
The 6-foot-3, 197-pound Sanni, who becomes the Illini's 17th recruit to date, also received offers from Oregon, West Virginia, Iowa, Michigan State and Louisville.
Rivals.com ranked Sanni in early September as this state's No. 17 prospect in the class of 2008.
The Illini also have commitments from Lemont OL Graham Pocic (No. 5), Simeon QB/all-purpose Jack Ramsey (No. 7), Mt. Carmel DE Glenn Foster (No. 12), Simeon LB Nate Palmer (No. 15) and King OL Jeffery Allen (No. 24).
TV alert: ABC has selected the Illinois-Ohio State game to be its 2:30 p.m. Big Ten showcase on Nov. 10.