Recruiting calls that have extra impact

CARSON, Calif. -- At this stage in the football recruiting season, college coaches can make one call per week to senior prospects.

Since that makes each contact so precious, Illinois' coaches are taking advantage of their famous surroundings to achieve maximum impact.

"Yesterday, we were going by the (L.A.) Coliseum," said head coach Ron Zook, who promptly picked up his phone and dialed a recruit. " 'Hey, I'm just going by the Coliseum here …' "

Co-defensive coordinator Dan Disch said he was looking up at the "HOLLYWOOD" sign in the nearby hills and called a recruit to let him know where he was.

Disch and assistant head coach Reggie Mitchell both indicated they plan to make some calls Tuesday prior to the Rose Bowl.

"You can't call two hours before a game," Mitchell said.

To uphold the rule, yet live up to his role as Illinois' recruiting coordinator, Mitchell suggested he might place calls on the team's long bus ride to the Rose Bowl.

How many calls might be make?

"As many as I can," Mitchell said.

Meeting of the minds: Mike White, the last coach to lead Illinois to the Rose Bowl, showed up to see part of Saturday's practice and spent an extended period talking with Ron Zook.

It's the latest episode in their burgeoning friendship, which included White's speech (at Zook's behest) to the current Illini prior to the 2007 spring game.

"I just saw a good look in these kids' eyes," White said. "From a coaching standpoint, Ron has done a great job. I think he's ahead of where he thought he was going to be, which is a credit to him. And it sounds like he's got a lot of excitement for the future, too."

White, who lives in Newport Beach, has made arrangements to rent a motor home and host a Rose Bowl tailgate with 25-30 of his former players. They're also planning to sit together in the stands.

White doesn't serve as a coach or a consultant much anymore, though he's going to handle the West squad in the East-West Shrine Game.

Dick Vermeil, his former boss with the St. Louis Rams, is scheduled to coach the East squad. White said senior middle linebacker J Leman is expected to play for the East.

Zook feels good: After coming away from Friday's practice feeling disturbed by his players' focus, Ron Zook exhaled after Saturday's vigorous effort.

"I feel a lot better," Zook said with a smile. "A lot better. Today the energy level was there and the focus was there."

After the 75-minute practice session, the defensive players hit the weights and emerged looking ripped.

"That was just my last lift as an Illini," senior tackle Mike Ware said.

Fightin' words: Here's USC tailback Chauncey Washington's take on the Rose Bowl:

"I believe our speed is going to be a real difference. We're so fast on both sides of the ball."

Today's plan: In its final session at the Home Depot Center, Illinois conducts its usual "Thursday practice" in private.

Prior to that, the coaches and players will show up at Universal Studios CityWalk at 10:30 a.m. PST for a pep rally.