Throwback Thursday: Illinois Football’s 2008 Recruiting Class

Say what you want about Ron Zook, but the man could sell ketchup popsicles to women in white gloves.

It's a whole lot easier when you win and receive a Rose Bowl invitation the year prior. The Rose Bowl didn't exactly go as planned, but winning nine games, including victory of No. 1 Ohio State, puts you in the spotlight — especially for potential recruits.

That sell, and the promise for future glory, is what led the recruiting class of 2008 to come together. It turned out to be a doozy of a class for Illinois.

Ron Zook had connections in several states for players, but none more so than the Sunshine State. Florida was where Zook cut his teeth as a major college head coach, following a legend…