The Orange and Blue News had a chance to speak with Ryan Clifford last night about his plans for the future.Ryan is the former Naperville Central all-state running back who helped lead that team to the 1999 Class 6A state championship. Ryan will walk-on to the Illinifootball team this fall.

Out of high school Ryan signed with Eastern Michigan University after interest from NIU,Illinois and Indiana. Ryan told me he was 'very interested' in Illinois and was going to visit but when Ken Rogers committed to Illinois in late fall of 99,the staff called Ryan and told him that he could visit but that the Illini didn't have a scholarship for him. He eventually chose EMU and thought that he could come in and start as a true freshman. First day of practice at Eastern,Ryan tore his ACL and was out for the year. During the fall,he realized that he really 'didn't like or fit in' at Eastern and started to think about transferring. 'My dream was always to play in the Big10,and I decided that I was going to do that no matter what,' Ryan told me. He informed the Eastern coaching staff that he would be leaving the program and looking to transfer to a Big10 school.The Eastern coaches weren't very happy since Ryan was a very'high-profile' recruit for Eastern. He got in-touch with Illinois and told them of his plans. The coaching staff was very excited about the prospect of Ryan walking on.Illini assistant Mike Mallory handled the re-recruiting of Ryan,Ryan visited Champaign four times and metwith the coaching staff.Mike Mallory had been at Northern Illinois Ryan's senior year and had been theHuskies assistant that recruited Ryan for NIU. Small world.Illinois lineman Dave Hilderbrandwas also on the Naperville Central team that won the state championship in 1999.

Right now,Ryansaid he is5-foot-10 and a solid 205 pounds. He is working out daily at an Aurora gym under the supervision of former Northern Illinois football player Cory Micelli. One of Ryan's workout partners is former Oswego/Notre Dame fullback Joey Goodspeed. Goodspeed is currently a member of theNew Orleans Saints. Ryan will be able to practice with the team this fall but won't be eligible to play till the 2002 season. He will then have three years to play for the Illini. Whether it be at running back,safety,wide receiver,Ryan told me he doesn't care where he plays,he'just whats to get on the field' for the Illini.He will report with theincoming freshman to campus next month.Ryan assured me that he is looking forward to the competition and 'won't back down' at Illinois.With his determination and drive,I think we will be seeing a lot of RyanClifford on the field forIllinois in the future.