Illinois first BCS offer for Indiana OL

Plymouth, Ind., offensive lineman Dan Samuelson had an extended weekend of college visits that saw the 6-5, 290-pound prospect on three different college campuses. When he returned home from the three-day tour, he received news of his first BCS offer.

"I got an offer from Illinois on Monday," Samuelson said. "I went to their junior day on Sunday and they called my coach the next day and told him they wanted me to be on their team, so that was very good."

Having a chance to see Illinois' campus the day before provided Samuelson context to his offer from the Illini.

"I thought it was a great place and I am pretty interested," Samuelson said. "I was very close with the offensive line coach, Coach [Luke] Butkus. He was very cool and it really got my attention."

Prior to his trip to Illinois, Samuelson attended a junior day at Michigan State on Saturday and received feedback from the Spartan's coaching staff.

"They are interested and would like to see more pass set film because my original highlights do not include any pass sets," Samuelson said.

Samuelson's three-campus in three days tour concluded on Monday with a stop at Purdue where he met with the Boilermaker's coaching staff, took an academic tour and watched one of the team's work outs.

"[Purdue] Coach [Donn] Landholm, who is the linebacker's coach and recruiter for my area, was the first coach to come see me at my school. I have been talking to him for quite awhile," Saumelson said. "They said they are interested as well and would like to see me come to camp to see if they would like to offer me."

Prior to his offer from Illinois, Samuelson had picked up offers from Bowling Green and Wyoming. He does not have any more trips officially scheduled, but expects to see a number of schools in the coming months.

"I have been invited to just about every Big Ten spring practices," Samuelson said. "I have been invited to junior days at Notre Dame, IU and Toledo."