Chicago junior WR lands Big Ten offer

The Class of 2005 at Chicago Morgan Park saw the Mustangs and head coach Lexie Spurlock having five players sign Letters of Intent to Division 1 schools. From very early indications, the Mustangs look to again have some seriously talented prospects in demand already from it's Class of 2006.

Chicago (Ill.) junior wide receiver prospect Chris James (6-foot-1, 185 pounds) from Morgan Park High School has landed his first scholarship offer from the University of Illinois on Wednesday. James joins teammate dual threat quarterback prospect Demetrius Jones as the second Mustangs to land an offer from the Fighting Illini this winter.

"My head coach (Lexie Spurlock) called me into his office today and gave me a letter from the University of Illinois," James said. "The letter said that Illinois was offering me a scholarship. Coach told me that he was on the phone earlier today with the coaches at Illinois and they told him that the Illini were going to offer me a scholarship."

James, who caught 28 passes for 550 yards and 7 touchdowns in his 2004 junior season, is excited to get his first offer from the Illini.

"I'm thrilled about getting my first offer from the Illini. One of my personal goals was to get an early scholarship offer, but I really didn't think it would happen this early. I'm excited about Coach (Ron) Zook and the new Illini coaches. I'm thrilled to get an offer and so is my family, but I also know that I still have a lot of work left to do to get ready for my senior season."

James, who is running indoor track for the Mustangs this winter, is hoping to get out to make a few college junior day visits soon.

"I was hoping to get down to Illinois this Saturday but we have an indoor track meet on Saturday. I'm planning to check out some junior days at Illinois, Notre Dame, Michigan, Iowa and Purdue. Those schools have been sending me regular mail and they have all invited me to various junior days."