SURVEY SAYS ...

Each day during Camp Rantoul, we will run survey answers from the Illinois football players. Today's guests:

FULLBACK JAY PROSCH

You are in the Leaders Division. Give us a better name. Gods

What celebrity do people say you look like? John Cena

What is your all-time favorite horror movie? "Scream"

Did the U.S. women's team make you a soccer fan? Yes

Favorite food during training camp? Fruit

You can have any kind of pet, what's it going to be? Lion

Nickname you would like people to start calling you? Killer

Place in the world you most want to visit? Mobile, Ala.

Other than your girlfriend, who will be cool if you answer this, who is your dream date? Jennifer Aniston

LINEBACKER RALPH COOPER

Will there be an NBA season? Hopefully, this lockout thing is getting old

You are in the Leaders Division. Give us a better name. Division of Men

Is President Obama getting re-elected? He better. "Yes, we can."

What is your all-time favorite horror movie? "Friday the 13th"

Did the U.S. women's team make you a soccer fan? Yeah. I didn't know goalies were so beautiful (Hope Solo)

Is golf a sport? Heck, yeah. I can't get that little ball in

You can have any kind of pet, what's it going to be? T-Rex

Preferred practice time: 7 a.m. or 3 p.m.? 7 a.m. Get in and get out

Nickname you would like people to start calling you? Coop

Place in the world you most want to visit? Paris

Other than your girlfriend, who will be cool if you answer this, who is your dream date? Meagan Good

SAFETY/LINEBACKER TRULON HENRY

You are in the Leaders Division. Give us a better name. Champions

What celebrity do people say you look like? Boxer Lennox Lewis

Is President Obama getting re-elected? Yes, without a doubt

What is your all-time favorite horror movie? "Friday the 13th"

Favorite food during training camp? Oatmeal

You can have any kind of pet, what's it going to be? Lion

Nickname you would like people to start calling you? Slime

Place in the world you most want to visit? Cape Town, South Africa

Other than your girlfriend, who will be cool if you answer this, who is your dream date? Well, if we weren't both happily married, I would say Denise Zook

SCHEDULE STUFF

The team has its first double session of Camp Rantoul today at 8:05 a.m. and 6:15 p.m. A single session is scheduled at 3:30 p.m. Thursday.

POSITION WATCH: Tight end

The Illinois coaches have been talking about the new guys at the position. Hard not to see JON DAVIS and MATT LaCOSSE zipping down the field, catching passes and working their way toward early playing time.

But there's an older gentleman doing his part, too. One that might be a bit of a surprise.

After a 2010 season wrecked by an injured foot, former St. Joseph-Ogden standout ZACH BECKER is healthy again.

"It's been about 18 months or so since I've been fully healthy," Becker said. "It feels good to be out here. I'm just knocking some rust off still. After I get all that off I'll be good."

Becker is confident his foot will hold up. It's been nine months since his last surgery. If he hit six months after the surgery without further complications, he was told his chances for a full recovery would increase.

"I haven't had any problems since then," Becker said.

Becker, who is listed as a senior, played in three games in 2010. Normally, that would help his case for a medical hardship, giving him an extra year. But the fact that his playing time came in the middle of the season could decrease his chances.

Becker isn't worried about 2012. That, he said, will be in the hands of the coaches.

"I'll take it if they get me one," Becker said. "I'll happily come back."

COACHING CORNER: Offensive line coach Joe Gilbert

He isn't moving quite as fast as he would like. Blame a cranky knee that is acting up again.

But JOE GILBERT is enjoying his third trip to Camp Rantoul. Having four-fifths of his starting offensive line returning contributes to that enjoyment.

The lone opening is at strongside tackle, where redshirt freshmen MICHAEL HEITZ and SIMON CVIJANOVIC are competing to replace injured starter COREY LEWIS.

"Both guys are splitting the reps with the ones," Gilbert said. "One kid does some things better than the other. We'll see how they grade out."

An important test for Heitz and Cvijanovic comes during Saturday night's scrimmage at Rantoul High School. With the coaches on the sidelines and fans in the stands, Gilbert will be able to see how they do in live action.

Gilbert said Heitz is a "big, physical kid. In the run game, he gives us a little bit more pop at times. Simon, right now, is probably a little bit better at pass protection."

Having every other starter back helps some. But offensive lines work together. It only takes one faulty part to mess it all up.

"Michael and Simon are very smart," Gilbert said. "It's not an issue of assignment at this point. It's who is going to be better techniquewise and physicalwise in getting the job done."

When Lewis returns, likely early in the Big Ten season, Gilbert won't rush him onto the field.

"If we've got a group of guys who are playing well, we're going to go with that group," Gilbert said. "Corey will work in. He's a talented kid. We want to be very smart and not try to bring him back too fast."

The competition at tackle is helping the Illini build depth for the future. Star tackle JEFF ALLEN is out of eligibility after the season.

Now, about Gilbert's knee ... the former Hamilton College standout has had four operations on it. Last week, while getting up from lunch, his kneecap went the wrong direction. Gilbert was able to pop it back into place. Former offensive linemen are tough.

"It's a little hard to get around," Gilbert said. "I get the cart, unfortunately."

IN THE NEWS

BLOWN AWAY

Well, not exactly. But closer than normal.

With strong, gusting winds during Tuesday's practice, the Illinois quarterbacks faced a challenge completing passes. One they likely will see again during the season. The winds tend to blow on football Saturdays in the Midwest.

"We're used to it by now," Illinois starter NATHAN SCHEELHAASE said. "It's never too fun. But it wasn't too bad. That's probably one of the best days I've had in the wind. If it comes off anything less than perfect, the ball can do some crazy things."

The Illinois receivers helped their quarterbacks, going after the ball aggressively. DARIUS MILLINES made a leaping catch during the team period.

"The ball kind of sailed a little bit," Scheelhaase said. "Darius found a way to come up with the ball. That's what you've got to have. I've got to do what I can to deliver the ball in the receiver's framework. If it's not, the receiver has got to make a play."

The wind was mostly coming from the side. That's better, Scheelhaase said, than throwing into the wind.

"With it at your back, it can even throw a little wrench into it, especially on deep balls," Scheelhaase said. "Sideways is all right. You've just got to be aware of it."

Illinois quarterbacks coach JEFF BROHM has been there, playing in windy games at Louisville and in the NFL. And watching his quarterbacks play in wind-filled college games.

"We've got to get used to throwing in it," Brohm said. "The key is have a tight spiral, putting some velocity on it, cutting it through the wind. It's good that it's happening right now."

Illinois coach RON ZOOK said he didn't notice the wind except during the Oklahoma drill. Large bags that normally would have been set up weren't used because the wind was knocking them over.

"I never thought about it after that," Zook said.

SECOND TIME AROUND

The sophomore knows what the freshman had to learn. For RYAN LANKFORD, Camp Rantoul means football. All day and all night.

One of the stars of the spring session, Lankford has continued his good work in training camp.

"As a whole, I think we're getting a lot better," Lankford said. "Wide receivers, we're out here working hard, just trying to be great."

Lankford excelled in the spring with A.J. JENKINS and Millines sidelined with injuries. Now, they are back and healthy.

"I'm really just doing the same thing I did in the spring," Lankford said. "When A.J. went down, someone had to step and take that role.

"The competition is very strong. Ultimately, the best guys will be on the field."

CHECKING IT OUT

With three picks in the first three rounds of April's NFL draft, Illinois has become a popular spot for pro scouts. Nothing has changed this year.

Scouts continue to find their way to Camp Rantoul, wearing the logo and colors of their respective teams.

Technically, they are looking at upcoming seniors. But there is no rule against watching the underclassmen. Three were drafted from Illinois after last season.

RADIO DAYS

WDWS is all over Camp Rantoul. STEVE KELLY will host "SportsTalk" at the site each Tuesday and Thursday. WDWS will air the Illinois scrimmage Saturday at Rantoul High School. And "The News-Gazette Sports Page" is scheduled to broadcast from Camp Rantoul on Monday.