Chargers' Leshoure selects UI football program
By: Bob Asmussen
Tuesday, November 06, 2007 07:55:15 PM CDT
CHAMPAIGN – Centennial tailback Mikel Leshoure, a 2006 News-Gazette All-Stater, has made a commitment to join the Illinois football team.
Leshoure made it official Tuesday, visiting with the Illinois coaches at practice. In the Varsity Room parking lot, Leshoure said he decided to make his decision now and not take any other visits.
Leshoure, the reigning News-Gazette All-Area Player of the Year, is the 18th player to commit. Leshoure will enroll in January and participate in spring football. He won't play basketball for Centennial, a major blow for a program expected to challenge for the Big 12 title. Tryouts started this week and Leshoure didn't attend.
Leshoure finished with 1,062 yards for a Twin City-record 4,658.
Leshoure is the second running back to pick the Illini, joining Milford (N.Y.) Academy's Deries Hodge.
He is the latest in a long line of Centennial players to go from Mike McDonnell's program to join the Illini. Late last week, during a photo shoot at Tommy Stewart Field, Leshoure greeted current ex-Chargers turned Illini Jacob Willis and Tyler Rouse.
Leshoure might not have to wait long to get on the field. Current starting tailback Rashard Mendenhall will at least consider leaving a year early for the NFL draft. Mendenhall's backup, Daniel Dufrene, will be a senior in 2008.