Coach Ron Zook

University of Illinois head football coach Ron Zook announced the signing of 19 student-athletes to national letters of intent for his first recruiting class as an Illini.

³I am really excited about the group we have signed this year,² Zook said. ³This coaching staff worked as hard as I have ever seen to put together a class of character young men who will truly represent Illinois both on the field and off. We feel that the response from the high school coaches was extremely positive. We had a short window to work with, but many quality athletes welcomed us into their homes and listened to what the University had to offer. The kids we signed today are 100 percent committed to having success here at Illinois.

³I was very proud of our current team and the way they handled themselves during the recruiting process. They were our best ambassadors. I also want to thank the academic community who gave so willingly of their time during official visits. The overwhelming feedback we got from athletes who visited our campus was about the dedication they saw in the team, the staff and the community. There is no questioning the devotion to the football program and the athletic department.²

Among this year¹s signees are two athletes who have garnered four and five stars by recruiting publications, Rashard Mendenhall (Skokie, Ill./Niles East) and Derrick McPhearson (Hyattsville, Md./Fork Union Academy). Mendenhall, who enrolled this January and began taking classes at the University, is considered by many to be one of the Top-10 running backs in the country and the top recruit in the state of Illinois. He is a Top-100 recruit nationally by every major scouting publication. McPhearson signed with Florida out of high school last season, and followed Zook to Illinois after a season at Fork Union Prep School. He is rated the No. 11 prep school athlete and eighth-best receiver in this recruiting period.

The 2005 class features eight athletes from the state of Illinois, including six from the Chicago area. The Illini broke into Georgia with last season¹s class, and added three more Peach State standouts this season. Zook¹s connections to the Florida high school coaches resulted in three players¹ signings, while the reputation offensive coordinator Mike Locksley in Maryland also landed three. The remaining two signees hail from Ohio and Louisiana.

WILL BERGEN
Line, 6-4, 260
Tampa, Fla. / Middleton

Three-time football captain was named National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame Scholar Athlete in 2004 ... SuperPrep All-Region ... PrepStar All-Region ... Earned his team's offensive player of the year award as a junior ... Bench presses 320 pounds ... Led his team to a 2004 4-A District Championship ... High school football coach was Harry Hubbard ... Born on July 17, 1986 ... Full name is William Henry Karl Bergen, V ... The son of William and Donna Bergen ... Four-time National Honor Society and three-time National Technical Honor Society member ... Excels in the classroom with a 3.8 GPA ... Plans to major in Mechanical Engineering ... Sister Briley is attending Southern Illinois on a swimming scholarship and is currently a six-time 25K U.S. Open Water National Champion ... Chose Illinois over South Carolina and Iowa State.

PAUL BLALOCK
QB, 6-0, 190
Aurora, Ill. / Waubonsie Valley

Passed for 2,130 yards and 15 touchdowns during his senior season ... A three-star prospect by both Rivals.com and Scout.com ... Ranked as the 26th-best athlete in the state of Illinois by Rivals ... Rated the nation's 30th best quarterback by Rivals.com and No. 46 by Scout.com ... Also rushed for 550 yards and another 13 touchdowns ... SuperPrep All-Region ... PrepStar All-Region selection ... Named to All-State teams by Champaign News-Gazette and Illinois High School Coaches Association ... A top-25 Illinois recruit by Scout.com ... Three times named to All-Conference and All-Area teams ... As a junior, passed for 1,350 yards and 21 scores ... Holds single game school records for completions (26) and passing yards (406) ... Also broke school season records for total offense (2,550), pass attempts (248), completions (131), passing yards (2,130) and touchdown passes (15) ... Is the school's career leader in total offense (5,832), passing yards (4,572) and touchdown passes (27) ... The son of Chris and Jayne Blalock ... Senior Class President and Homecoming King ... Also a starter on the Waubonsie Valley basketball team ... Committed to Illinois during the summer of 2004 ... High school football coach was B.J. Luke.

ERIC BLOCK
Line, 6-3, 282
New Orleans, La. / Jesuit

PrepStar All-Region selection ... Rated among the top 30 players from the state of Louisiana by Scout.com ... Named first team All-Conference, All-Area and All-State ... Picked as one of the top 20 players in the New Orleans area by the Times Picayune ... Earned All-District, All-Region and All-League honors as a junior ... Bench presses 375 pounds and squats 550 ... Plans to major in pre-law or business ... The son of Roy and Donna Block ... High school coach was Jay Pittman.

IMMANUEL CHU
Line, 6-2, 263
Woodstock, Ga. / Woodstock

Rated by Scout.com as one of the top 50 recruits from the state of Georgia ... Recorded 70 tackles, 16 for loss, five sacks and two forced and recovered fumbles as a senior ... PrepStar All-Region ... First player in Woodstock High history to start 40 games at the varsity level ... Was the county's Defensive Player of the Year and member of the County Super 6 team ... All-County selection as a junior and senior ... Also named to the All-Region and All-Area teams ... Earned four letters for football ... The son of Chong Chu ... High school coach was Mike O'Brien.

WILL DAVIS
Back, 6-3, 235
Greenbelt, Md. / Eleanor Roosevelt

A member of the SuperPrep Magazine top-25 team ... Started on both sides of the ball ... Earned first-team All-State, All-Metro, All-League, and All-County honors ... Named to the Maryland Super 44 All-Star team and the P.G. County North All-Star team ... Averaged over 28 yards per reception as a senior ... Made 21 receptions for 579 yards and 10 touchdowns as a wide receiver ... Also recorded 136 tackles and 24 sacks on defense ... Had eight passes broken up, one safety, one blocked punt and four forced fumbles ... SuperPrep All-Region selection ... Lettered two years in football and track and one year in basketball ... High school football coach was Rick Houchens ... Full name is William Benjamin Davis Jr. ... Son of William Davis Sr. and Pearine Davis-Parkinson ... Has seven brothers and two sisters ... Mom played basketball for the Liberian national team and the University of Liberia and his uncle, John Davis, played soccer for Liberia ... Planning to major in kinesiology ... Plans on becoming a doctor following graduation ... Chose Illinois over UConn, Boston College and Virginia.

GUESLY DERVIL
Back, 5-11, 180
Jacksonville, Fla. / Ed White

Rated as Rival's 32nd best athlete ... Rated among the top-100 prospects in the state of Florida by Scout.com ... Also the 82nd-ranked cornerback by Scout.com ... Made 85 tackles as a senior ... Also had three interceptions and broke up 12 passes ... SuperPrep All-Region ... PrepStar All-Region ... Also played as a receiver, recording 23 receptions for 345 yards and four touchdowns ... Played in the CaliFlorida Bowl at Miami's Orange Bowl, representing his home state ... Brother, Guerlin, currently plays football at NC State ... The son of Asilia Dervil ... Chose Illinois over Alabama, Nebraska and West Virginia ... Played for current Illini assistant coach Dan Disch at Ed White High School until he left for the University of Florida ... High school coach was Terry Gilliam.

KYLE HUDSON
Back, 5-11, 165
Mattoon, Ill. / Mattoon

Played both receiver and defensive back as a senior ... Averaged 15.9 yards per reception ... Also recorded 25 solo tackles and four interceptions, two returned for touchdowns ... Three-time All-Area and All-Conference performer ... Earned special mention All-State honors as a senior ... Earned letters in football, basketball, track and baseball ... As a junior, won the state high jump title with a jump of 6'10" ... In 2003, tied the state playoff record with three interceptions in one game ... Selected to play in Illinois Shriners All-State game ... High school football coach was Gerald Temples ... Full name is Kyle Jordan Hudson ... Born Jan. 7, 1987 ... The son of Darryl Hudson and Gayle Patrem ... Father played baseball at Lakeland College ... Sister, Kelsey, played basketball at Lakeland College ... Personal best forty time was recorded at 4.4 seconds flat.

GREG McCLENDON
Back, 6-2, 207
Columbus, Ga. / Carver

As a running back, ran for over 1,300 yards as a senior ... Scored 11 touchdowns ... Named first team All-Conference and All-Area for his on-field efforts... Averaged 5.7 yards per carry as a junior at Carver, rushing for 1,030 yards on 185 attempts for 10 touchdowns ... Also caught 20 passes for 395 yards and one score ... Honorable mention All-State as a senior ... Was named his team's most outstanding player as a freshman ... Full given name is Gregory Alan McClendon ... Born on Dec. 25, 1986 ... Son of Sandra McClendon ... High school coach was Wallace Davis ... Chose Illinois over South Carolina.

DERRICK McPHEARSON
Back, 6-0, 195
Hyattsville, Md. / DeMatha / Fork Union Academy

A four-star prospect by Scout.com and Rivals.com ... Ranked 11th among Prep School prospects by Rivals.com ... Rated the nation's eighth-best wide receiver by Scout.com ... Attended Fork Union Academy Prep School in 2004 ... Recorded 38 receptions for 778 yards and eight touchdowns in 2003 as a senior at DeMatha High School ... Also returned two kickoffs for touchdowns, registered 23 tackles and three interceptions in limited defensive play ... Benches 320 pounds and squats 550 with a 38-inch vertical jump, while running a 4.38 40 time ... Named to the Washington Post's All-Metro first-team ... Helped lead DeMatha to a perfect 12-0 record and the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference championship ... A standout baseball player out of high school was sought by many major league teams ... Hit .400 as a senior with five home runs ... Would like to pursue a career in criminal justice ... Chose Illinois over Florida, Clemson, Maryland, Nebraska and Virginia Tech and had offers from LSU and South Carolina ... Father, Gerrick, played defensive back at Boston College from 1984-87 and went on to play in the NFL with the New England Patriots ... His mother, Kim, was a standout high school track star ... Is one of eight children ... Brother, Gerrick, is a cornerback on the Maryland squad.

RASHARD MENDENHALL
Back, 6-0, 190
Skokie, Ill. / Niles West

Rated the No. 1 recruit in the state of Illinois by Scout.com ... A five-star prospect by Scout.com ... Named to Rivals Top-100 team ... Ranked the nation's 24th-best recruit by Scout.com ... Named to the Student Sports Top-100 list of senior prospects ... Averaged 9.1 yards per carry as a senior at Niles West, rushing for 1,453 yards on 160 attempts and 14 touchdowns ... PrepStar All-American and Dream Team selection ... Named the No. 1 recruit in the state of Illinois by the Chicago Sun Times ... Named to SuperPrep's Elite 50 list ... Also a SuperPrep All-American selection, ranked the nation's No. 4 running back by the same publication ... The sixth-highest rated running back in the nation by Scout.com ... Selected for the Fifth Annual U.S. Army All-American Bowl ... As a junior, rushed for 1,832 yards and 19 touchdowns, while averaging 11.6 yards per carry ... Recorded 1,300 yards and 21 scores as a sophomore ... Verbally committed to Illinois as a junior ... Also had over 1,000 career yards receiving and 13 touchdown catches ... Was a three-year All-Central Suburban Conference selection for football and two-time pick for track ... Named to All-State teams as a junior in both football and track ... An All-Area selection for both sports as a sophomore and during his junior year for football ... Was the Outstanding Performer at the Illinois prep Top-Times meet as a junior ... Finished seventh in the state 100-meter dash as a sophomore ... Also lettered in basketball ... High school football coach was Mark Egofske ... Full name is Rashard Jamal Mendenhall ... The son of Walter and Sibyl Mendenhall ... Born on June 19, 1987 ... Older brother, Walter, currently a member of the Illini football team ... Enrolled early to the University of Illinois and will go through spring drills with the team ... Would like to pursue a career in graphic design.

BRIT MILLER
Back, 6-1, 230
Decatur, Ill. / Eisenhower

Rated the No. 17 recruit in the state of Illinois and No. 84 among linebackers nationally by Scout.com ... Ranked 37th among linebackers by Rivals.com ... As a senior, led his team in tackles, tackles for loss and sacks ... PrepStar All-Region ... Named to All-Conference and All-County teams as a quarterback, running back and linebacker in high school ... SuperPrep All-Region ... Rushed for 1,249 yards and 19 scores his senior year ... Ran the option and had 1,106 yards rushing and 15 touchdowns as a junior ... Also had 105 tackles and 10 sacks from his linebacker position ... Is Eisenhower's all-time leading rusher ... Earned 10 letters in football, basketball and track ... Recorded 243 tackles between his junior and senior season ... State track qualifier in the 4x100, 4x200, shot and discus ... High school football coach was Dennis Sheppard ... Born on Sept. 15, 1986 ... Full name is Brit William Miller ... The son of Randy and Teresa Miller ... Member of the National Honor Society ... Listed in Who's Who Among Students ... Named Academic All-Conference Scholar-Athlete all four years ... Earned Academic All-State honors senior year ... Biggest thrill in sports was beginning his football career on a 1-8 team, then qualifying for the State playoffs senior year.

MIKE NABOLOTNY
Back, 6-6, 240
Glenview, Ill. / Glenbrook South

Senior captain averaged 16 yards per catch at tight end ... Earned All-Area honors from the Chicago Sun-Times in 2004 ... Also was named Special Mention All-State by the Chicago Tribune and the Illinois High School Coaches Association ... First-team All-Star by Pioneer Press ... Started every game at offensive guard as a junior ... Lettered in both football and basketball ... High school football coach was Mike Noll ... Born Oct. 4, 1986 ... Full name is Michael John Nabolotny ... The son of Michael and Diane Nabolotny ... Sister, Danielle, is a sophomore on the Loyola women's basketball team ... Cousin, Nicole Rinaldi, plays basketball at UIC ... Honor roll student ... Received CSL Scholar Athlete Award in 2004.

DOUG PILCHER
Line, 6-5, 230
Hinsdale, Ill. / Hinsdale Central

Rated the No. 13 recruit in the state of Illinois by Scout.com ... Also ranked No. 32 among linebackers by Rivals.com and 40th nationally by Scout.com ... A three-star prospect by both Scout.com and Rivals.com ... Made 97 tackles, 21 for loss, and 18 sacks as a senior ... SuperPrep All-Region ... Named to the Chicago Sun-Times Area Top 30 Prospects list ... PrepStar All-Region ... Earned All-State, All-Area and All-Conference honors his senior year ... Senior captain also caught nine balls for 84 yards and two touchdowns ... Recorded 26 career sacks for a school record, breaking his brother Steve's mark ... Earned letters in football, basketball and baseball ... High school football coach was Tony Lombardi ... Full name is Douglas Ryan Pilcher ... Born on July 18, 1987 ... The son of Jim and Debbie Pilcher ... Both parents attended Illinois and his brother is currently attending ... Four-year honor roll student ... Two-time scholar athlete also earned Academic All-Conference honors as a senior.

RODNEY PITTMAN
Line, 6-2, 190
Fort Washington, Md. / Friendly

Accounted for 132 tackles, eight sacks and two interceptions in 2004 ... Earned All-State honors as a senior ... Also earned All-County honors from the Washington Post ... Rated the No. 56 prospect in Maryland by Rivals.com ... Played both linebacker and defensive line as a senior as well as tight end on the offensive side ... For his career, he totaled 270 tackles, 22 sacks and 36 quarterback hurries ... Chose Illinois over Marshall, Syracuse and Boston College ... Runs a 4.6 40 ... High school coach was George Early ... Excellent student with a 3.5 high school GPA ... Earned the school's Academic Athlete of the Year ... The son of Ronald and Reka Pittman.

SAM PORTER
Line, 6-1, 221
Chicago, Ill. / Morgan Park

A three-star recruit by both Rivals.com and Scout.com ... Made 127 tackles, 12 for loss, as a senior ... Also had 11 sacks ... Named All-State ... SuperPrep All-Region ... Three-year starter ... Ranked the 31st best defensive end by Rivals.com ... Named an Illinois top 30 football prospect by the Chicago Sun-Times and Rivals.com ... The son of William, Jr., and Rita Porter ... High school football coach was Lexie Spurlock.

TREVOR SCOTT
Line, 6-3, 270
Fort Valley, Ga. / Peach County

Three-year starter at Peach County High School ... Helped lead 2004 team to a 13-2 record, class 4-AAA state semifinals ... As a junior, led team to state championship game ... Aided team in scoring over 60 points on three occasions during senior season ... High school coach was Rance Gillespie ... Chose Illinois over UConn.

RAHKEEM SMITH
Back, 6-1, 213
Lombard, Ill. / Willowbrook

A Scout.com top-25 Illinois recruit ... Ranked the 19th-best prospect in the state of Illinois and the 52nd-best outside linebacker in the nation by Rivals.com ... A three-star prospect by both Scout.com and Rivals.com ... Recorded 82 tackles and seven sacks as a senior with three fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles and seven tackles for loss ... Led the team in rushing with 783 yards on 146 carries as a running back, scoring nine touchdowns... Twice earned West Suburban Gold All-Conference honors ... Was an All-Area selection by the Arlington Heights Daily Herald in 2004 ... After lacerated kidney injury as a sophomore, came back with 67 tackles, 11 for loss, and 12 sacks in 2003 ... SuperPrep All-Region ... Three-year varsity member ... High school coach was Mark Olson ... Full given name is Rahkeem Jamaal Smith ... Born on October 10, 1987 ... The son of Tamilla and James Smith ... Is one of eight children ... Brother, Tramell, is a middle distance runner on the Illinois track team.

TREMAYNE WALKER
Line, 6-3, 285
Tallahassee, Fla. / James Rickards

First team All-Big Bend conference as a senior ... Played in first annual Taleco Senior Bowl in Tallahassee ... Named school's outstanding defensive lineman junior and senior year ... Placed second in both the Big Bend and city weightlifting championships heavyweight division ... Three-year letter winner in football ... High school football coach was Maurice Belser ... Born on Dec. 1, 1986 ... The son of Mike and Kershawn Vergenz ... Member of the Future Business Leaders of America ... A volunteer for Meals on Wheels ... Aspires to be head of marketing for a major corporation after finishing school ... Chose Illinois over Ole Miss and UCLA.

SIROD WILLIAMS
Line, 6-0, 226
Garfield Heights, Ohio / Garfield Heights

Recorded 70 tackles, including 30 solos as a senior ... Had 11 sacks and 11 tackles for loss in 2004 ... Also registered 14 quarterback pressures and caused and recovered two fumbles ... The 37th-rated recruit in the state of Ohio by Rivals.com and among the top 40 in the state by Scout.com ... Posted 171 career tackles and set a school record with 15 sacks ... Had 18 TFLs and 20 pressures in his career ... Named his team's Most Valuable Player, leading the squad to a 9-2 record ... Earned first-team All-Ohio honors ... Set school records in the weight room with a 300 power clean, 35-inch vertical jump and a 3.85 shuttle run ... Also squats 450 and benches 365 pounds ... The son of Doris Williams ... High school football coach was Chuck Reisland ... Tore his ACL and returned to action three months later.