Ten Big Game Changers: Illinois WR Eddie McGee

CHICAGO - Few Big Ten players have done more for less satisfaction than Illinois senior Eddie McGee. 

As a freshman in 2007, he relieved quarterback Juice Williams in the opener against Missouri, completing 17 passes for 217 yards and a touchdown while rushing for another. He played sporadically that season at quarterback and filled in at wide receiver. He even threw a 56-yard touchdown pass in the Rose Bowl. 

McGee's story because a virtual broken record as a sophomore and junior. He filled in from time-to-time for Williams and took a few snaps at other positions. Illinois failed to reach a bowl in each of those seasons, which ate away at McGee. 

So before this season, McGee went to Illinois Coach Ron Zook and told him he wanted to move to wide receiver permanently. It was an easy decision for Zook, who great'y admired his all-purpose athlete from Washington D.C. 

"It was easy because he was the one that decided to move," Zook said. "I think if you go back and you get around Eddie McGee, he's a guy that cares about one thing, and that's winning. He cares about this team. 

"He's never complained. He's kind of been in the backup role behind Juice. All he wanted to do what do whatever he could to help the team. His frustration was more because he wanted to do more; it wasn't because of anything else. That's why I felt like I owed him the ability to play the position he felt like was best for him." 

McGee, who stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 210 pounds, has 1,303 yards of total offense in his three seasons at Illinois. His motives for switching, he said, are purely unselfish. 

"Part of is I wanted this team to win and do what's best for the team," he said. "I also wanted to do what's best for myself as well. I think either way I would have been playing. I just think that this was the best. 

"It was pretty much my call." 

Zook respects McGee for his leadership quality as much as his all-around skills. Zook cited a 2007 incident in California where McGee voiced his displeasure with a teammate over their lack of respect for their teammates. 

"After the Rose Bowl, J Lehman was talking to the team, and J is a pretty emotional guy and one of the leaders," Zook said. "One of the young kids, who is no longer with us, was kind of yapping and Eddie went off on him about respect, and that's what he thinks of this team." 

McGee has a chance to become a focal point in Illinois' passing attack this year. Williams graduated and top wideout Arrelious Benn became a second-round NFL draft pick. McGee likely will combine with Jarred Fayson on the outside and give freshman quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase two veteran targets. 

McGee also has a chance to change the perception around the Illinois program, too. 

"Juice was a great player, Arrelious was a great player," McGee said. "All of those players when I came here were great players. Bt we still have a lot of great players, a great bunch of talent and a great bunch of athletes. We still have one of the best coaches in the nation who will put us in the best situation to do what we do best. That's going to help us be successful." 

ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI 

• 2009 record: 3-9 (2-6 Big Ten)
• 2009 review: The Fighting Illini failed to live up to expectations yet again, losing nine of their last 11 games. The offense failed to gain traction through its first seven games, scoring more than 17 points just once. After an offensive awakening against Michigan and Minnesota, which produced a combined 73 points, the Illini failed to generate any momentum late in losses to Northwestern, Cincinnati and Fresno State. Mikel LeShoure came on strong at running back, rushing for 734 yards at 6.8 yards a carry despite starting only three games. The Juice Williams era ended with a whimper after passing for 1,632 yards and 12 touchdowns. Williams, who led Illinois to the Rose Bowl in 2007, finished his career as the Fighting Illini's all-time leader in total purpose yards with 10,594.
• 2010 schedule: S4 Missouri (at St. Louis); S11 Southern Illinois; S18 Northern Illinois; O2 Ohio State; O9 at Penn State; O16 at Michigan State; O23 Indiana; O30 Purdue; N6 at Michigan; N13 at Minnesota; N20 at Northwestern; D3 at Fresno State
• 2010 preview: LeShoure  and Jason Ford are talented young backs that need to carry the load offensively as the Illini work in new quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase. Illinois has the talent to compete for the Big Ten's mid-pack, especially on defense. Clay Nurse led Illinois in sacks last year, and leading tackler Ian Thomas also returns. Illinois also returns its best defender, linebacker Martez Wilson, who suffered a neck injury in the season opener last year.
• Making the rounds: Illinois opens against Missouri, a team that has beaten the Illini five straight in their series. The Illini avoid Big Ten favorites Iowa and Wisconsin but play at bowl teams Penn State, Michigan State and Northwestern, plus Michigan. Illinois also hosts MAC favorite Northern Illinois, which could be a handful. In a pivotal stretch from mid-October through mid-November, Illinois plays five consecutive weeks against Big Ten teams that won six or fewer games last year.
• Bowl game if: The offensive line comes together, and freshman quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase can run the offense efficiently.
• Home for the holidays if: The offense fails to gel and Scheelhaase struggles.
• Quotable: "It's kind of like the attitude we had a couple of yers ago when we were fortunate enough to go to the Rose Bowl. I think on paper we're probably every bit, if not better, a football team than we were that year." -- Illinois Coach Ron Zook
• Prediction: 6-6, 3-5 Big Ten (Dallas Football Classic)