This we know: Ron Zook recruited talent to Illinois.

From 2010 to 2013, Illinois produced 10 players selected in the first three rounds of the NFL Draft, more than Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State or any other Big Ten team. That includes four first-round picks whom Zook recruited: Vontae Davis (2009), Corey Liuget (2011), Whitney Mercilus (2012) and A.J. Jenkins (2012).

But this we also know: Zook struggled to recruit talent during his final two seasons at Illinois. Questions about job security - which were legitimized when he was fired by first-year athletic director Mike Thomas following a 6-6 season in 2012 in which Illinois lost its final six regular-season games - limited Zook's ability to close with talented recruits.

Illinois finished with the nation's 70th-ranked recruiting class in 2010 and 42nd ranked recruiting class in 2011, though the 2011 class would've been much lower if it took into account that top-ranked recruits Dondi Kirby (a four-star prospect) and several three-star prospects never made it to campus.

The lack of talent showed this weekend- the draft was filled mostly with prospects from the 2010 and 2011 recruiting classes - when no Illini was drafted for just the second time in 42 years (2006, following Zook's first season, was the only other season during that period that Illinois was shut out of the draft).

Illinois was an odd football factory under Zook. Tons of next-level prospects but too few college football victories.

Third-year Illinois coach Tim Beckman hasn't recruited the top-end level talent that Zook coaxed to Champaign early in his tenure but is trying to assemble the depth Zook struggled to build. But to win at the college level, you're going to need next-level talent.

So which current Illini players could play in the NFL?

Simon Cvijanovic, CBSSports.com ranking: 40th ranked offensive tackle

Cvijanovic should rank a little higher here. Left tackle is a priority position in the NFL, and Cvijanvoic has the size, enough athleticism, experience and production to earn an NFL spot. He could be a Day Three pick next spring.

Jon Davis, 27th ranked tight end

What could've been. That probably will be the refrain when Davis' playing days at Illinois are over. One of the team's most athletic weapons, the 6-foot-3, 240-pound senior has been limited due to a chronic knee injury. As dangerous of a weapon as Davis could be as a multi-dimensional H-back, NFL teams likely will be deterred by his medical exams.

Alex Hill, 25th ranked center

Hill, a 6-foot-3, 310-pound interior offensive lineman, certainly has the size for the NFL (though he could use some tightening up). But at this point, he probably doesn't have the mobility or athleticism to play at an NFL level.

Matt LaCosse, 71st ranked tight end

NFL scouts came to see Wes Lunt throw passes during a practice last fall. They also took notice of the 6-foot-6, 245-pound tight end. LaCosse certainly looks the part. He has the size and speed thing down. But Lacosse could've used another year of seasoning - his blocking especially - but was forced into playing time as a freshman. He blossomed last year (20 catches, 237 yards and three touchdowns) and could be in for an even better season next year. He will test well, and could at least carve out a career like former Illini superfreak athlete Jeff Cumberland, who is entering his fourth year with the Jets after going undrafted in 2010.

Donovonn Young, 32nd ranked running back

At this time last year, Young looked guaranteed to get a shot at the NFL. He had solid production as both a runner (571 yards, 4.4 yards per carry) and a receiver (38 receptions) as a sophomore and just looks the part. But under offensive coordinator Bill Cubit, Young lost his way and his job to do-everything back Josh Ferguson. The 5-foot-11, 220-pound Texas native may have added too much muscle before last season and lost some burst. Young won't ever have top-end speed, has had some issues holding onto the ball, needs to improve his blocking and dances too much in the back field. But he is a strong, tough runner between the tackles that has shown an ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. He seems to have accepted a smaller role for his senior season (will that save some tread on his tires?) as the short-yard option, but he will have the opportunity to make an impact and an impression on NFL teams. A year ago, he looked like a draft pick. Right now, he looks like an undrafted free agent.

Justin Duvernois, eighth ranked punter

The senior has had some issues with consistently placing the ball where he wants but he has averaged more than 41 yards per punt in each of the last two seasons. That might need to increase to find an NFL spot.

Earnest Thomas, 24th ranked strong safety

Thomas has the physicality and the size teams now want out of a safety. But he simply doesn't have the speed.

Josh Ferguson, 40th ranked running back

This intrigues me. Ferguson has gained about 1,943 yards in basically two seasons at Illinois: 1,143 yards rushing and 800 yards receiving. The 5-foot-10, 185-pound running back is stronger than he looks, but he doesn't have the body to be a traditional NFL bell-cow back. But how many bell-cow backs are there in the NFL? In a pass-happy scheme - New Orleans? - he has the potential to be a big-time threat. It wouldn't shock me if he went between rounds 4 and 5.

Ted Karras, 19th ranked guard

We all know Karras has the bloodlines - he is one of seven in his family to play at the Big Ten level and his late great-uncle Alex, an NFL great - but he also has the size (6-foot-4, 300 pounds), physicality, nastiness, the technique and leadership qualities that will impress NFL teams. He should be a mid-round guy.

Kenny Nelson, 76th ranked defensive end

We didn't think Whitney Mercilus would be an NFL player before his historic junior season. I'm not predicting that for Nelson. But coming off a strong spring, Nelson appears to finally be putting it all together. He's always had the length (6-foot-6) but appears to now have the strength. Now he needs to show burst off the edge and production. There's potential here, but Nelson has a long way to go.

Teko Powell, 57th ranked defensive tackle

Like LaCosse, Powell could've used a redshirt season. Entering his third season, he still needs a lot of technique work. But he has shown progress with each rep. He has the size and talent to be drafted.

Eaton Spence, 31st ranked cornerback

Spence doesn't do any one thing well, but he is solid at almost everything. Right now, he's a poor man's Tavon Wilson - which isn't good enough for the NFL - but he has two more seasons to show he has Wilson-like potential.

V'Angelo Bentley, 50th ranked cornerback

Bentley's size - 5-foot-9 - limits his potential. But he's an aggressive player and willing learner. His greatest asset though would be as a returner (two return touchdowns last season). If he can prove over the next two seasons that he can also be a reliable nickel corner, he could find a spot as a late-round pick or as an undrafted free agent.

Mason Monheim, 15th ranked inside linebacker

Brit Miller had the speed to play in the NFL. J Leman had the size (by the time he was a senior) and All-America production. Monheim won't blow away NFL teams in workouts but his end-of-career production - he already has 183 tackles - might get him a spot in a training camp.

Geronimo Allison, unranked wide receiver

The 6-foot-3 JUCO transfer needs to add strength but his athleticism makes him an intriguing go-up-and-get-it wide receiver, and he also has the speed to get behind some cornerbacks.

Jihad Ward, unranked defensive tackle

We have no idea yet if he can play at a high level, but when you're 6-foot-7 and 285 pounds with athleticism, you're an NFL prospect. If he produces, he could be drafted higher than any current Illini upperclassman.

Wes Lunt, fourth ranked quarterback

Illinois has had five first-round draft picks since 2008. Lunt - the 6-foot-5 redshirt sophomore quarterback - probably has the best chance of any current Illini to be a first-round pick (and, yes, that will be hard to accomplish). He has everything NFL teams are looking for physically: tall, strong-armed and getting stronger. He also has a lot of experience in pass-happy offenses. What Lunt - the likely starter this year - must show now is 1) that he can stay healthy 2) improved mechanics and 3) that he can be accurate. Lunt probably isn't Jeff George (the No. 1 pick in 1989), but he could be Tony Eason (the No. 15 pick in 1983).

T.J. Neal, 12th ranked inside linebacker

I like this kid as a weakside, pursue-and-tackle linebacker. He made plays in limited playing time last year (38 tackles) and had a strong spring. Too early to tell here.

Tyrin Stone-Davis, unranked wide receiver

The 6-foot-3 JUCO transfer is not as refined as fellow receiver Geronimo Allison, but his size and speed combo make him a prospect worth watching.

Darius Mosely, 12th ranked cornerback

Caleb Day, unranked cornerback

Mosely has the better technique but Day - who had a breakout spring - has the size and quick-twitch, turn-and-run ability to be drafted in the top four rounds.

Jarrod Clements, unranked defensive lineman

Dawuane Smoot, unranked defensive lineman