CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (UI Release) - University of Illinois head football coach Tim
Beckman announced that 10 members of the 2013 recruiting
class started spring semester courses on Monday. Five mid-year high
school graduates - defensive backs Dillan Cazley (Charleston, Ill.) and
Darius Mosely (O'Fallon, Ill.) and offensive linemen
Jesse Chadwell (Clarkston, Mich.), Christian Dilauro (Uniontown, Ohio)
and Austin Schmidt (Galena, Ohio) - join five junior college transfers
who were announced
on Dec. 19.
"All
of our early enrollees who started classes today are outstanding
players who fill areas
of need," Beckman said of the newest Illini. "The fact that five young
men graduated high school early in order to get started here speaks
volumes for their character as well as the academic support system that
we have in place here at the University of Illinois.
It shows that they're willing to go above and beyond and will do
whatever it takes to succeed at this level."
Cazley,
Chadwell, Dilauro, Moseley and Schmidt join junior college transfers
wide receiver
Martize Barr, defensive tackle Abe Cajuste, star Eric Finney, offensive
lineman Dallas Hinkhouse and safety Zane Petty as early enrollees in the
class of 2013. Beckman and his staff will complete the 2013 recruiting
class on Feb. 6, the first day of the regular
football signing period.
"I'm
excited about all 10 student-athletes who started their college careers
today," Beckman
said. "To bring in 10 guys early, that's probably one of the highest
numbers in the country. I'm very proud of the coaching staff and our
academic staff for the way they recruited these young men and got them
to believe in Illinois football and where we're
headed. The fact that they're starting classes this week and getting to
experience college football this spring will be huge for them as they
compete for playing time in 2013."