By Mike HelfgotCorey Cooper remained silent Wednesday when the moment of truth arrived. The most sought-after defensive back in Illinois simply placed a Nebraska cap on his head.
Cooper, the Proviso East safety who was the top-ranked uncommitted recruit heading into national signing day, chose the Cornhuskers over Illinois, Notre Dame and Arizona.
The 6-foot-2, 203-pound senior, who announced his decision in a morning ceremony at the Maywood school, verbally committed to Illinois nearly two years ago but re-opened up the recruiting process this school year.
"It wasn't about wins and losses," he said. "I wasn't comfortable with the stability of the (Illinois) staff."
Photo: Proviso East's Corey Cooper (left) and Antoine Lewis (right) are bound for Nebraska and Purdue, respectively. (Heather Charles/For the Tribune)
The ceremony at Proviso East was briefly delayed so Antoine
Lewis could run to his locker. The Purdue recruit forgot his letter of
intent.
Lewis, a 5-foot-10, 175-pound cornerback, echoed Cooper's thoughts on committing too soon. He originally committed to Minnesota in March before switching to the Boilermakers in December.
"I don't care if things start rolling in June or January, you need to weigh all your options because things change," Lewis said. "You need to look at the depth chart. Don't let coaches pressure you into a decision."
Arizona became 13-feet-4-inches taller at offensive tackle with signatures from Simeon's Fabbians Ebbele and Carmel's Mickey Baucus.Signing both 6-foot-8 linemen eased the loss of Cooper to Nebraska. Ebbele announced his decision Wednesday, choosing the Wildcats over Illinois, Northern Illinois, Kansas and Eastern Michigan.
Three Morgan Park players -- quarterback/receiver Daron Brown (Northern Illinois), cornerback Brian Jones (Ball State) and defensive end Matthew Mosley (Ball State) -- were among the Public League players to sign. Others include King lineman Greg McKee (UConn) and Lane offensive lineman Laken Tomlinson (Duke) and defensive lineman Louis Trinca-Pasat (Iowa).
LaSteven McKinney opted for a chance to play running back at Southern Illinois rather than defensive back or receiver in the higher-profile Mid-American Conference.The Nazareth Academy senior committed to Central Michigan in the fall, but reconsidered because of the MAC school's recent coaching change. He also had offers from Toledo, Eastern Michigan and Illinois State.
Lewis, a 5-foot-10, 175-pound cornerback, echoed Cooper's thoughts on committing too soon. He originally committed to Minnesota in March before switching to the Boilermakers in December.
"I don't care if things start rolling in June or January, you need to weigh all your options because things change," Lewis said. "You need to look at the depth chart. Don't let coaches pressure you into a decision."
Arizona became 13-feet-4-inches taller at offensive tackle with signatures from Simeon's Fabbians Ebbele and Carmel's Mickey Baucus.Signing both 6-foot-8 linemen eased the loss of Cooper to Nebraska. Ebbele announced his decision Wednesday, choosing the Wildcats over Illinois, Northern Illinois, Kansas and Eastern Michigan.
Three Morgan Park players -- quarterback/receiver Daron Brown (Northern Illinois), cornerback Brian Jones (Ball State) and defensive end Matthew Mosley (Ball State) -- were among the Public League players to sign. Others include King lineman Greg McKee (UConn) and Lane offensive lineman Laken Tomlinson (Duke) and defensive lineman Louis Trinca-Pasat (Iowa).
LaSteven McKinney opted for a chance to play running back at Southern Illinois rather than defensive back or receiver in the higher-profile Mid-American Conference.The Nazareth Academy senior committed to Central Michigan in the fall, but reconsidered because of the MAC school's recent coaching change. He also had offers from Toledo, Eastern Michigan and Illinois State.
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Thanks for letting the ILLINI hang for 2 years kid! How would you have felt if they had pulled your scholarship at the last minute.
So much for a two year commitment! But he's probably right; Ron Zook is a "dead coach walking" and will hopefully be gone after next season. Ron Guenther should also be shown the door.