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Five Fighting Illini Find Right Fit At New Positions
Sept. 12, 2008
Change can be a good thing, especially for the Illinois football program this season. Five Fighting Illini have switched positions, and even sides of the ball, since arriving on campus, with all of them earning a starting position this season. Defensive end Will Davis, fullback Rahkeem Smith, offensive lineman Xavier Fulton, and wide receivers Jeff Cumberland and Chris Duvalt all have flourished at their new positions and are expected to make major impacts this season.
"It was one of those trial-and-error type of things," Davis said. "I went to the offensive side of the ball first and then I went to see how I did on the defensive side and that's where I stayed." The transition was easy for Davis, who also had a standout career as a defensive lineman at Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Greenbelt, Md., recording 136 tackles and 24 sacks. "Most of the footwork came back pretty quickly since I had been playing receiver," Davis said. "There's a lot of footwork involved in both positions." Even last year, however, Davis was still a bit undersized for a defensive end. He took care of that over the summer, though, gaining 30 pounds by using a 6,000-calorie diet to reach 268 pounds. Since making the switch, he has thrived at his new position, earning second-team All-Big Ten honors last season as a junior after recording 12.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks. Davis, who has played both defensive end and tackle already this season, is projected to be one of the linchpins of the 2008 Illini defense.
"I knew I had the athletic ability, but offense is more discipline," Smith said. "You're free to move before the snap on defense, but on offense there are more assignments and you have to remain still and be smart because of the different snap counts." Smith had plenty of help from former fullback Russ Weil and the Illini coaching staff when making the switch to the offensive side of the ball. "Russ really showed me the ropes last year," Smith said. "I also did a lot of flexibility work with our strength and conditioning coaches." Smith played in all 13 games last season as a fullback behind Weil, but this year he is expected to be the primary lead blocker for the Illini running backs.
"The day before spring ball started last season, Coach Zook said `We're going to try you at offensive line and if it doesn't work out, we'll move you back,'" Fulton said. "I was pretty shocked at first, but I was also optimistic about it." The position swap stuck and last season, Fulton started at left tackle in all 13 games for the Illini, garnering second-team All-Big Ten honors and helping the Illini set new school records for total offense and rushing yards. This year, Fulton, a preseason first-team All-Big Ten selection, is expected to be a strong force on the left side of the offensive line to open holes for the running backs and protect quarterback Juice Williams' blindside.
"I had thought about going out there a few times anyway, so when they approached me, I was kind of excited," said the 6-5, 251-pound Cumberland. "The main thing I worked on was my route running, but outside receiver was probably easier to learn than tight end." Cumberland is currently sidelined with a foot injury, but plans to return soon to build on his success from last season, where he caught 11 passes for 221 yards in his final four games at receiver. One highlight was his four-catch, 131-yard, one-touchdown performance against Northwestern. "I want to get out there to make plays and pick up where I ended last year to help contribute to the team," Cumberland said.
"I actually wanted to make the switch," claimed Duvalt. "I feel like receiver is more of my natural position now." In his first game at receiver in the season opener against No. 6 Missouri, Duvalt immediately made an impact, catching two touchdown passes for 46 yards. He followed that effort with another TD reception against Eastern Illinois.
These changes made by the coaching staff are expected to have a significant impact on this team's success. But teammates on the side of the ball that these players left are unwilling to let them off easy. "Brit (Miller) and I are roommates so he talks about it all time," Smith said. "Every time we meet someone he'll say `Yeah, he used to play linebacker but now he's a fullback,' just to try to be funny."
"I've been called a traitor for a long time and still am today," Fulton said.
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