If there's one area where Ron Zook has been consistently strong since arriving at Illinois in December 2004, it's in recruiting. Zook and his staff thrilled the masses by hooking several four-star athletes and the occasional five-star in his first five recruiting classes.

But in the wake of a 3-9 season, a massive change on the coaching staff and a plethora of rumors about Zook's future, Illinois didn't garner its usual fistful of blue chips. Quarterback Chandler Whitmer, who's listed at 5-foot-11 and 185 pounds, is the only four-star recruit among the 20 the Illini landed.

They had a commitment from four-star safety Corey Cooper since his sophomore year, but he switched to Nebraska at the last minute. ...More