Has Pilcher reopened his recruiting

Hinsdale (Central), Ill. strongside defensive end prospect Doug Pilcher (6-foot-5, 235 pounds) made an early August verbal commitment to the University of Illinois. Pilcher's head coach Tony Lombardi fills us in on the latest recruiting news on his All State player.

“Doug and his family were pretty disappointed when the Illini fired Ron Turner," Lombardi said. “Both of his parents are alumni and I know Doug still have loyalty and strong feelings for the Illini."

Pilcher has also started to receive additional scholarship offers and recruiting interest.

"Doug's received a scholarship offer from Wisconsin, and I know that he's considering taking an official visit to Madison this coming weekend. He was scheduled to make his official visit to Illinois this weekend, but the remaining coaches called and asked id he would reschedule that visit. I'm pretty sure that the Illinois coaches wanted his to take his official visit to Illinois on December 10th, but I think Doug like a lot of kids is waiting to see what happens with the coaching situation."

Lombardi knows from experience that Pilcher is smart in keeping his options more open at this point.

"I'm hoping that Doug takes a look at just one or two schools before he makes his final choice, especially under these circumstances. You just never know what can happen with a coaching change. It wouldn't hurt at all if he gets to see a few schools, and if he's still sold on the Illini, then by all means go for it. I'll totally support Doug and his family in whatever decision they decided to make. I'm sure it will all work out for Doug and his family."

Doug Pilcher had scholarship offers from Illinois, Northwestern, Indiana and Northern Illinois before making his earlier verbal commitment to the Illini. Michigan State and Michigan also was showing Pilcher serious interest back in early August.