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Feature on Melvin by Vico at OHD.

Melvin appeared on several team?s radars early into his junior season of football. Pittsburgh, Nerdwestern, Wisconsin and Purdue were all in contact with him. South Carolina had made inquiries as well. Of all the school sending early inquiries regarding Melvin, no two stood out more than Notre Dame and Illinois. Notre Dame brought Melvin in for an unofficial visit to watch the Irish play the Middies, which may have been just the most unfortunate timing for Notre Dame. Melvin didn?t get as much mileage out of the loss as I ? and the rest of America ? did. Rather than think critically about the program for the loss, Melvin gave positive remarks about the atmosphere, the campus and the ?quality of a Notre Dame degree? that only Notre Dame alums mention. Illinois was the more important player here. Zook has targeted Ohio ? especially NE Ohio ? for intrusion. His method of attack: be the first BCS offer for some Ohio kids that Ohio State may be more methodical in evaluating. This was the case for Melvin, as the Illini were his first offer. He visited Champaign for their home game against the Badgers and liked what he saw. In fact, he really liked what he saw, it seems.

http://www.ourhonordefend.com/2009/0...ari-planet.php