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Recruiting Wrap

Illini interested in Danville defender

Posted by: Jeremy Werner

Wednesday, October 7, 2009 9:00 AM

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The Danville defense has been feared menace in the Big Twelve this fall. The Vikings (6-0) have held opponents to an average of 9.7 points per game through six games, and they've out two opponents, including Decatur MacArthur, who was 5-0 before last week's 21-0 loss to Danville.

Cameron Ford, a 6-foot-1, 245-pound senior defensive end, has been one of the keys to the Vikings' stalwart defense. Ford is third on the team with about 50 tackles and has three sacks, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

"Our defense is stepping up every week," Ford said. "We're playing better every week. We're playing team defense, and it's just showing."

Ford is also a standout tight end (seven receptions for 113 yards and a touchdown) and has received several looks from Division I programs. Northern Illinois, Eastern Illinois, Southern Illinois, Illinois State, Central Michigan and Ball State have all shown interest.

"Recruitment is going good right now," Ford said. "I'm talking to some coaches, but right now I'm just trying to put together good game film and try to get a good highlight tape together so I can send that out at the end of the year so I can get more opportunities."

Ford traveled to Carbondale to see Southern Illinois defeat North Dakota State 24-14.

"It went good. I went down there and talked to the coaching staff and watched them play against North Dakota State, got on the field, watched their pregames and things like that."

"They're one of the top I-AA programs in the country. They're really good. They're really good in their conference. They've been to the playoffs like seven-straight years. They're a really good program because they stay consistent. They haven't really had any dropoff years since like '01."

Ford has also been in contact with coaches at nearby Illinois. While most schools project Ford as a tight end, Illini coaches told the Danville standout that he has a potential as a scholarship defensive lineman.

"(The Illinois coaches) were talking to me about trying to have a good defensive year," Ford said. "They said if I have a good defensive year, I could go there and play defense and work it out from there."

Ford said he hasn't planned any more visits to colleges this fall. But he is planning on doing big thinks with his high school team. The Vikings play Champaign Central (4-2) on Friday.

"Our goal is to win the Big 12 and then make a deep run in the playoffs and hopefully win state," Ford said. "We think that we can play with anyone in the state. We think we have the talent around the board to play with anyone no matter size or anything like that.

"I'm more focused on our team and just letting my play speak. Whatever happens, happens. But I have to go out every play and not take a play off. Every play is a play that could make or break me getting into a college. I just remember that."

RECRUITING RAMBLINGS

Illini commit CJ FIEDOROWICZ, a 6-foot-6, 240-pound tight end/wide receiver from Johnsburg, told HawkeyeNation.com that he is going to "keep his options back open" after seeing Illinois' first four games. He is planning official visits to Iowa and Wisconsin. Fiedorowicz said the Illini are still "No. 1" because he gave them an oral commitment but that "anything can happen." Illinois' 1-3 record probable isn't the biggest reason Fiedorowicz is having second thoughts. The fact that starting tight end Michael Hoomanawanui has just six catches for 66 yards is probably a bigger negative right now.
So is Illinois verbal commitment CHANDLER WHITMER second-guessing his pledge after a 1-3 start for the Illini? "No, not at all," Whitmer told IlliniHQ on Tuesday night. The future Illinois quarterback has led Downers Grove South to a 4-2 record this season. Read more about Whitmer in Thursday's Recruiting Wrap.