CHAMPAIGN – There was a good reason for the smile on Lovie Smith’s face Saturday as his Illini football team went through its third practice this spring.
Ringing the Memorial Stadium field was the largest collection of quality recruiting talent since Ron Zook’s heyday leading to the Rose Bowl appearance in January of 2008.
The players and their families were everywhere – more than 100 bodies scattered from end zone to end zone, curiously watching the Illini team go through their drills.
By the time the day was over, Lovie was hugging moms, high-fiving dads and somewhere in his office throwing his arms around the highly coveted recruit who said “yes” to the Illini Saturday.