Illini's Mendenhall unsure whether or not to turn pro
By Mark Tupper
mark.tupper@lee.net
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LOS ANGELES -- Some college juniors with pro potential might be lured back to campus by the chance to play on a national championship-contending team. Others might be tempted by the opportunity to win the Heisman Trophy. | Illini page
But Illini running back Rashard Mendenhall, the Big Ten Player of the Year who is rumored to be considering an early jump to the NFL, said such factors will not be considerations when he makes his decision.
So what would be left for Mendenhall to accomplish by returning to Illinois for his senior year?
''In my mind, not too much,'' Mendenhall said Friday as Illinois prepares for Tuesday's Rose Bowl showdown with Southern California. ''I'm not really big on accolades or awards.''
In that case, individual honors might not tempt Mendenhall, who after a breakthrough season in which he rushed for 1,526 yards and 16 touchdowns, would be on the Heisman Trophy short list next season.
''That's not really something I'd come back for,'' Mendenhall said.
Finally, Mendenhall was asked, ''What would make you come back?''
''I'm not so sure,'' he said.
Mendenhall, who has said he does not like talking about his NFL plans, knows it's part of the landscape, especially when a large media throng stands in front of him as it did on Friday.
''There are a lot of things you have to weigh,'' he said. ''It's a big decision.''
Mendenhall did say he has completed the paperwork that requests an assessment of his pro draft status by an NFL evaluation board.
''That's something you want to keep up with to make sure you make all their deadlines,'' said Mendenhall, who indicated that his mother, coach Ron Zook and a former high school coach are helping him sort through his options.
Mendenhall just finished his junior year and said he is enrolled in classes next semester that would kick off his senior season.
''It's just like going through the recruiting process because everyone wants to know what you're going to do,'' he said. ''Teammates want to see you stay and play another year, but they haven't been bothering me about it.''
Offensive coordinator Mike Locksley said Mendenhall is predictably uncomfortable talking about his future.
''That's Rashard for you,'' Locksley said. ''He's always been a quiet kid, very humble. He will never be the guy who stands out in the front and says, 'It's all about me.' He always gives credit to (fullback) Russ Weil and his offensive line.
''He understands that for him to have the kind of year he's had, a lot of different parts have come together.
''But he is as versatile a back as I've been able to coach, and I've coached some guys who are playing on Sundays. Rashard is a tremendous receiver out of the backfield. He can be a good power back. And his best trait is his tremendous feet and vision.
''He has the ability to run through people, the ability to run by people and the ability to make people miss. He's very versatile.''
