He couldn’t wait to become an Illini

Posted In: Peoria Journal Star Illini
Date: Monday, February 1, 2010

For freshman quarterback Chandler Whitmer, Illinois football is the right place at the right time, even if that’s hard for everyone else to believe.

A four-star recruit from Downers Grove South, Whitmer completed the hours to graduate high school and enroll at Illinois for the spring semester. Whitmer arrived just at the right time despite joining a program following a 3-9 season that shook up the coaching staff and recruiting season.

Whitmer, sophomore Jacob Charest and redshirt freshman Nathan Scheelhaase are quarterbacks learning the system under newly hired offensive coordinator Paul Petrino.

“I wanted to graduate early and play in the spring game,’’ Whitmer said. “As time went on, the new coaches came in and had everybody learning the new offense. That just worked out even better for me to start learning the offense with everyone else. I’m not behind anybody.

“That’s a great opportunity for me. When things went wrong and things were a negative, this is a positive to come out of it. It’s a blessing to be on the same level as these other guys.’’

Football signing day Wednesday, but the 6-foot-1, 185-pound Whitmer got a jump on college. Rated 17th at his position nationally by Scout and 19th among pro-style quarterbacks by Rivals, Whitmer chose Illinois over Arizona, Iowa State and Stanford.

He and his family moved from Marietta, Ga., to suburban Chicago 2½ years ago. Now he must grasp an offense described as more complex than the previous system under fired coordinator Mike Schultz. The quarterbacks learn the playbook during sessions with Petrino, then throw on their own with receivers at the indoor complex.

Whitmer plans on making it a three-man race for the starting spot after the graduation of senior Juice Williams, who set a school record with 10,594 total yards as a four-year starter.

“I didn’t come here to sit the bench,’’ Whitmer said. “I came here to turn the team around, do what I do best and get the ball to the playmakers and win games. Illini Nation wants to see the program back on top. I will do everything I can to get us back to the Rose Bowl.

“I see potential. This program has the potential to do it.’’

Don’t forget about senior Eddie McGee, Illini coach Ron Zook said, when talking about quarterbacks.

“(Whitmer) is a very mature kid,’’ Zook said. “One of the things exciting about the position is you’ve got Charest that has experience, you have two freshmen who are very excited and you’ve still got Eddie. I feel good about that position.’’

Whitmer met Petrino on a home visit shortly after he was hired. For a crash course in the offense, they took the session to the Whitmer basement.

“He had me doing drops in the basement, reading defenses,’’ Whitmer said about Petrino. “My mother was a linebacker and my dad a safety.’’

Following two successive losing seasons, Illinois recruiting is ranked No. 70 nationally and No. 8 in the Big Ten Conference by Rivals. Whitmer stuck with his early commitment when it would have been easy to jump. With one day left before signing day, he’s the only four-star recruit on the Illini list.

“I gave my commitment,’’ he said. “I believe in staying true to Coach Zook. As long as he was going to be here, I will be here. Coach Zook knows what he’s doing. I believe in that. He brought in the best people to turn it around.’’

John Supinie can be reached at Johnsupinie@aol.com.
 

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