Photographer: John Dixon

Mikel Leshoure and his mom, Jazz Jones, toss a football around during a News-Gazette photo shoot in September.

Photographer: Holly Hart

As a freshman, Mikel Leshoure walks off the floor after Centennial's loss to Lincoln in a Class AA basketball sectional.

Photographer: Robert K. O'Daniell

Champaign Central's Verdell Jones III (Indiana basketball) and Centennial's Mikel Leshoure (Illinois football) have become household names around the Big Ten.

Photographer: Robert K. O'Daniell

As a junior, Mikel Leshoure, was a standout on the hardwood, earning first-team All-Area honors.

Photographer: Robert K. O'Daniell

Mikel Leshoure relaxes at Memorial Stadium in in the spring of 2009.

Photographer: John Dixon

Illinois coach Ron Zook gets after Mikel Leshoure on the sideline during a scrimmage at Memorial Stadium last spring.

Photographer: John Dixon

Mikel Leshoure holds his cousin Jeremiah Jones, 3, of Champaign while his mom Jazz Jones looks on after the 2008 spring football game at Memorial Stadium.

Photographer: Heather Coit

Mikel Leshoure poses with his mother, Jazz Jones near their Champaign home in May of 2007.

Photographer: John Dixon

Mikel Leshoure takes part in Media Day at Memorial Stadium prior to the start of the 2010 season.

Photographer: Rick Danzl

Offensive lineman Graham Pocic lifts Mikel Leshoure after Leshoure's second-quarter TD run against Southern Illinois last season.

Photographer: Rick Danzl

Mikel Leshoure sits on the sideline during a game at Danville as a senior at Centennial.

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Mike Leshoure rushes for a touchdown against Urbana during his sophomore season at Centennial.

Photographer: John Dixon

Jazz Jones shows off the tattoo she has of her son Mikel Leshoure.

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Mikel Leshoure) outruns Michigan defense to score a touchdown in a win against Michigan in 2009 at Memorial Stadium.

Photographer: Robin Scholz

Mikel Leshoure poses outside his Champaign home during his senior year of high school.

Photographer: Robert K. O'Daniell

Mikel Leshoure runs past a string of Northwestern defenders during his record-setting 330-yard game at Wrigley Field in November.

Photographer: Robert K. O'Daniell

Mikel Leshoure, middle, delivers Thanksgiving hams and turkeys to Urban Restoration Ministries in Champaign along with Ardie Jenkins, right, and Ervin Williams, executive eirector of Urban Restoration Ministries.

Photographer: Heather Coit

Mikel Leshoure (back row, third from left) and the 2007 News-Gazette All-Area football team gathered at the wishing well inside Champaign's Market Place Mall.

Photographer: HOLLY HART

As a junior, Centennial's Mikel Leshoure was The News-Gazette's Area Player of the Year.

Photographer: Robert K. O'Daniell

All-Area Player of the Year Mikel Leshoure (middle row, far left) relaxes with the All-Area team at Parkland College's Staerkel Planetarium in 2006.

Photographer: Holly Hart

Freshman Mikel Leshoure outruns Eastern Illinois' Bobson Mercier during an Illinois win in 2008.

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Mikel Leshoure avoids a tackle by Indiana's Jammie Kirlew in a 2009 road loss.

Photographer: Seth Perlman

Mikel Leshoure celebrates after scoring a touchdown in a win against Southern Illinois during his record-breaking junior season.