title
Illinois
 Coach Mike Locksley
Illinois Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach Mike Locksley will be in the chat room on Signing Day, Wednesday, February 6, starting at 10 a.m. CT. Send in your questions today.
Moderator: Thanks, everybody, for sending in questions in advance for Coach Locksley. He'll be joining us in a little under 10 minutes, so keep sending things for Coach Locks!
Ryan (Yorkville IL): Hey coach, Most recruiting "experts" are saying that this incoming class doesn't have the big impact players like we got in last year's class, but that its strength is in its depth. Is this the type of class which will take a few years before we begin to notice their importance to the program?
Mike Locksley: No, there will be guys, as usual, out of this class who will have early impact for us. But what this class will do is create the competition at each position necessary for us to maintain a championship level. Bringing in a class that may not be as heralded but that is as talented, in our eyes, as any we've brought in.
Frank (geneseo): I get the impression that this staff is pretty close and enjoy working with each other? Is that true?
Mike Locksley: It's a really good staff, which is important when you spend as much time as we do. The great thing about it is there's all types of personalities and it's a lot like a family. They all blend into a good situation as a staff. It's like "The Breakfast Club."
Mitch (Moline): As the qb coach, how proud are you of the improvement that Juice made as the year went along? If you look at tape from where he was at when we played Western Illinois, vs how he was playing when we took on Northwestern, it is night and day. I can't wait to see how good he is after another off season.
Mike Locksley: You and I both, Mitch. I've been very pleased with Isiah's progression, but he still has a lot of room for growth. His best football is still ahead of him and we're going to continue to do the things necessary to make him and all of our quarterbacks as good as they can be.
Derek (Bloomington): Alright Mike, between you and me, how much did you pay the model who posed as your wife for your profile on this website? Congrats on a great year!
Mike Locksley: She actually paid me! I appreciate it, Derek. It just goes to show you how good of a recruiter I am. I'm sure my wife will enjoy it.
Neil Zerrusen (Champaign): Coach Locks just want to congratulate you on another terrific class and bringing in some TOP CALIBER wide receivers. My question to you is with all of these great receivers coming in along with Benn, James and Cumberland from last year are you going to change the offense a little and make it more of a passing, high attack, offense with a little less option and running The Juice? I look forward to your answer and want to thank you again for being part of the Orange and Blue and hope you are here to stay for years to come! (And hopefully this year we can get you to make the HIGH HONOR roll 12 games in a row with a BCS bowl appearance!!)
Mike Locksley: Neil, that's definitely something that needs to be done. The last few years we've improved in our target areas of improving taking care of the football and establishing the run. But the missing piece has been for the passing game to become more consistent and produce at a higher level. Bringing in this type of talent, along with our quarterback's development, will give us the ability to improve in that area. We're always looking to improve the offense and we hope we will be able to do that with the talent that we have acquired.
J Clod (Benton,IL): Just wanted to say congradualations on a great day so far. Thanks from Illini Nation!
Mike Locksley: Thanks, Clod! We appreciate all your hard work and effort and we need to have more Illinois high school coaches feed their top guys to our state university!
Larry (Peoria): I know you can't say names, but from reading the newspapers, it sounds like the ball is already rolling for signing day 2009. With three classes now signed, and another promising one shaping up, is this program finally on solid footing?
Mike Locksley: Yes, Larry, we feel that we've laid a solid foundation with our first three classes. It's Coach Zook's philosophy to get better every year and we realize that recruiting is the lifeline of what we do and it will continue to be a priority of us as a staff.
Jarrod (Bourbonnais, IL): Coach Locks, When will you guys as a coaching staff get to take a step back, relax, and realize how great of a class you guys have put together. Great Job... and to all the Coaches: Thanks for the Hard Work!
Mike Locksley: That's a Ron Zook question: unfortunately, recruiting is like shaving, if you don't do it every day, you look like a bum. We usually get to reflect during the month of July, but we've already started on the class of 2009. Our first pit stop will be July 1 with three weeks of vacation before we get going on another great season.
Ian (Albany): Which kids did the recruiting services not reward with high accolades that you think should have been more respected.
Mike Locksley: To be honest, we really don't follow those services. We feel like all the players that we've signed have the ability to help our program move forward in our quest for Big Ten and national championships. We recruit the best possible players to fit our needs, so we're happy with every one of the signees and look forward to them having great careers here.
Joe (Villa Grove): Coach, how do you see the competition for WR this fall.
Mike Locksley: It's going to be very, very interesting. We want to create the competition to bring out the best in our players. With the revamped receiving corps that we have now, I see it being a very competitive spring and fall, which can only help us.
Cort (Hartford, CT): Hey Coach, Congratulations on a great day! It must feel good to see the fruit of all your hard work. I was curious, specifically as it relates to the big name receivers we have coming in, how soon can you tell when a kid is going to be an "instant contributor" as a freshman? Is it on the HS field? Camp Rantoul?
Mike Locksley: Usually, the adage is "the further away from the ball that you are, the easier it is to play early," so receivers tend to have the best chance to make immediate impact. In recruiting, we're able to identify those top playmaker-types very early in the process with our emphasis on speed and playmaking ability on the outside. We feel like we've got the type of players that enable us to move forward as an offense.
Tim (St. Louis): With the loss of Mendenhall to the NFL, will you go with a backfield by committee (as you did at times with Rashard, Dufrene and sometimes Pollard last year) or will you try to go with one primary back with others sprinkled in on passing downs?
Mike Locksley: In this day and age, having one running back is uncommon. This year, Daniel and Troy (before the injury) were able to contribute. If someone steps into the forefront as the feature back, I still see us using others in the program to complement that guy.
Steve (Des Plaines): If you and Coach Zook were to arm wrestle would you absolutely demolish him?
Mike Locksley: I don't think so! He's the workout type and I haven't lifted a weight since I left college.
Ty (Mattoon): With the improvements to the stadium and with recruiting back on its feet, do you feel that Illinois Football can get back to the powerhouse team that it was known for back in the old days?
Mike Locksley: No doubt about it, Ty! With the facility upgrades, the leadership in place and with the football team being led by Ron Zook, Illinois is on the fast track to becoming a team to be recognized nationally.
Josh (Chicago): Besides 40 times, bench press numbers, and the like, what do you like to see in a recruit? A good motor? Good work ethic? Intensity on the field?
Mike Locksley: Love the motor aspect. If guys play hard on film, they usually play hard all the time. The big thing for us is athleticism and playmaking ability. If he has athleticism, plays with a high motor and makes plays, he'll be an Illini recruit.
Jonny (Taylorville): What year will Jarred Fayson be eligible to play? 2009? And how mnay years of eligibility does he have remaining?
Mike Locksley: He'll be ready to go in 2009 with two years left. Having him on our scout team this year will greatly benefit our defense.
Curt (Orlando): How many pounds of prime rib did you devour at the Beef Bowl?
Mike Locksley: I actually ate three goldfish; I'm not a big beef eater.
John(Newark, OH): Coach-was great to read the article about you on espn.com the other day. Where did your relationship with Dunbar HS begin? Did you play there? Thanks again for all of your hard work over the past season. My saturdays were relevant again.
Mike Locksley: I didn't play at Dunbar, John, but I whooped them up pretty good three times while I was at Ballou. My relationship with Coach Jefferies began when I got into coaching. Dunbar has perennially put out great players, as have all the other DCIAA schools, which I felt, once I became a coach, were underrecruited
John (Decatur): Coach, do you see WR Kyle Hudson returning for his senior year or just focusing on baseball? Keep up the good work!
Mike Locksley: All indications are that Kyle plans on being with us, as well. He's made every workout for both sports, so we're expecting him to continue to be a very valuable member of our program.
Jeff (Champaign): Looking back on last year's recruiting class (the freshmen) were there any players that ended up contributing much more immediately than you had expected?
Mike Locksley: Troy Pollard probably was the biggest surprise for us prior to his injury. Brian Gamble switching over from defense in a pinch to contribute offensively was a nice surprise and addition for us.
Mitch (Champaign): Do you know the flight attendants on the ILL to MD flights by name yet? Why do you think you've had so much success in Maryland over the years and do you expect us to continue to get a few blue chips from there every year?
Mike Locksley: I usually drive my RV across Interstate 70, Mitch! I do see Maryland and D.C. continuing to be a primary recruiting area for us with the success of our players, both in the classroom and on the field, here. Good players continue to recruit good players, and that's been big for our success. there.
jerry (New York): Has Luiget officillay sent letter? Scout says yes but Illini recruiting says nothing!
Mike Locksley: As of 10:26, Corey Liuget is an Illini! He's a big-time player and we're very excited to have him on board. It's a major get for Coach Mitchell going down into enemy territory in Miami and getting a guy like Corey!
Dan (Cary): Speaking of Gamble, will he move back to safety or stay on your side of the ball? Thanks for the hard work.
Mike Locksley: That's something that we'll decide as we move into spring football.
Ryan Sharpe (Champaign): Since you've had a chance to reflect on the season, what do you think was the primary catalyst behind the offense's improvement?
Mike Locksley: The lack of turning the football over was huge for us this year. The last two years we were in the lower 10th percentile in turnover ratio and this year we were in the top 40th percentile. That gave us opportunities to move the ball and win games.
Gail (McLean, VA): So if you and your wife were to arm wrestle, I'm putting my money on Kia
Mike Locksley: Than that's where you're wrong, Gail! But Coach Zook's taking Kia, too.
Moderator: Thanks, everybody, for all the questions, but Coach Locksley is going to get moving. We'll be back at 2 p.m. today with Illini receiver Arrelious Benn.