Defensive tackle updates recruitment, talks Illini

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2016 defensive tackle Mike Panasiuk from Roselle (Ill.) Lake Park is getting to know new Illinois D-line coach Mike Phair, and he had a chance to spend some time around Phair during a recent visit to the Illini campus.

"Coach Phair is getting familiar with the players just like I am," Panasiuk said. "We were messaging each other on Twitter before I came here, and he was really excited to get out here. He was talking to me about the things I would do if I came here."

Panasiuk (6-foot-4, 285 pounds) checks in as the No. 15 player in the state of Illinois, and the No. 45 defensive tackle nationally. He started garnering Power Five conference interest after a break-out season in 2014 as a junior.

Offers are in from Illinois, Vanderbilt, Iowa, Iowa State, Penn State, Syracuse and several others, with interest from Indiana, Wisconsin, and Boston College. Panasiuk said he hasn't started to trim things down yet.

"I'm still open," he said. "More schools are talking to me and saying they could offer me soon. I'm still looking and trying to find the right fit where I would feel comfortable for the next four or five years. I visited Iowa and Penn State a couple of weeks ago. I'm looking to go visit Wisconsin and Indiana soon. I'm also trying to get out to see Vanderbilt over my spring break."

During his visit to Illinois, Panasiuk was hosted by Illini linebacker Mason Monheim and defensive lineman Rob Bain.

"I stayed for an overnight unofficial visit, so I got to be around the team," Panasiuk said. "It was great.. Being around them and getting the feel of what it's like to be at the next level is really awesome."

Panasiuk then got the full tour of the Illinois campus and facilities, and took in an Illini spring practice at Memorial Stadium.

Known as a strong run stuffer and bull rusher, Panasiuk uses his strength to overpower opponents at the high school level.

"That's basically what I do," he said. "But this off season I'm going to work on my hands and my feet more so I can perfect things at the position I play."

OrangeandBlueNews.com will get a look at Panasiuk in action when he competes at the Rivals Camp Series Presented by Under Armour in O'Fallon (Ill.) on May 3.

"I'm just going to go out there and compete and do my best and see the other athletes," Panasiuk said. "They are pretty much all going to play at the next level, so it will be great to go out there and compete against them."