Locksley and Illinois Are Rolling

Colleague Eli Saslow was out in Champaign earlier this week and writes about the "East Coast swagger" Washington-area players have brought to Illinois. Obviously, the hiring of Mike Locksley as offensive coordinator has helped the Illini recruit in D.C. Remember, when Maryland parted ways with Charlie Taaffe - anyone think Taaffe left in February completely on his own accord to pursue head coaching opportunities? - the plan was to hire Locksley. It didn't work out and Locksley is a thorn on the recruiting trail. Dunbar's Reggie Ellis and Friendly's Lamaar Thomas were in Champaign last weekend.