BuckTwenty
Parties with Pete Johnson's Beard
Verballed to Illinois, per Rivals (no article posted just yet).
Zooker picked up a good one.
Zooker picked up a good one.
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Different Paths, Same End
Dunbar Duo Follows Unlikely Road: First Ballou, Then Illinois
By Alan Goldenbach
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, November 23, 2006; Page E06
Nathan Bussey wasn't going to kid himself. In a perfect world, Bussey believed, he and Arrelious Benn, best friends on Dunbar's football team, would lead the Crimson Tide to its fourth straight Turkey Bowl title today. Then, their football futures would head separate ways.
Benn, perhaps the nation's top wide receiver in the class of 2007, would be en route to some national championship-contending college program. Bussey, a three-year starting quarterback with magnificent statistics but lacking the mechanics recruiters sought, would head to whatever team would give him a shot. He knew it might not even be a Division I-A school.
"I was going to have to accept that we were going to go to separate schools," Bussey said. "Over the summer, I just promised him and the rest of my teammates that we'd go to the Turkey Bowl before that."
Bussey and Benn delivered on that promise -- for the fourth straight time. No. 13 Dunbar (9-1) plays Ballou (8-3) today in the 37th D.C. Interscholastic Athletic Association title game at Eastern High. Not only would a Dunbar victory today put the Crimson Tide alongside its teams from 1998 to 2001 and Eastern (1958-61) as the only schools to win four straight city championships, it also would make Benn the first to play on four championship teams and Bussey the first to quarterback three title winners.
Their recruitments could not have unfolded more differently. Improbably, however, their football careers are poised to continue at the same place: the University of Illinois.
"I never thought in a million years we'd be playing at the same school. Never," Benn said. "I thought I'd go to some big-name school and he wasn't being recruited that much."
Said Dunbar Coach Craig Jefferies: "It was two ends of the spectrum. When people found out Nate was going to Illinois, they were like, 'Wow, that's big-time for him.' But when Arrelious said he was going to Illinois, it was like, 'What's going on here? What's he thinking?' "
Bussey said he had to realize some schools were turned off by his insistence on wanting to play quarterback. At 6 feet 2, 203 pounds -- coincidentally, the exact same measurements as Benn -- Bussey was projected as a safety in college.
Benn said he felt awkward discussing recruiting with Bussey.
"I never talked to him about recruiting," Benn said. "I probably would've felt uncomfortable, so I just kept it to myself."
Throughout Benn's recruitment, Notre Dame was the clear favorite. Benn was there, along with several top 2007 recruits, last Jan. 14 for the Irish's Junior Day. Perennial powers Florida State and Miami also were high on his list.
Yet Illinois, which has had just two winning seasons since 1995, wasn't discouraged. Illini assistant Mike Locksley, a Ballou High graduate and former Maryland assistant who maintains close ties to the Washington recruiting scene, still pursued Benn.
"I pretty much told [Locksley] that he wasn't going to get Arrelious," Jefferies said. "He said, 'Thanks, but I'm going to keep recruiting him.' "
Locksley cannot discuss Benn or Bussey yet. NCAA rules prohibit schools from talking about recruits until they have a signed letter-of-intent in hand. But he was able to get help elsewhere.
"I just tried to get him to consider the school," said Illinois freshman Vontae Davis, a Dunbar All-Met who graduated last year. "I told him, 'It's just going to be like Dunbar again if you come out here, winning championships.' "
Meantime, Bussey, began to accept his future might be at a position other than quarterback.
Bussey was invited for an official visit to Illinois on Sept. 23.
Bussey loved the school and its scholarship offer to play safety. Finally, he thought, a Division I school in a major conference wanted him. He committed a week later.
Then, Bussey turned his attention to his teammate.
"He kept telling me to check [Illinois] out," Benn said, "and I always kept playing the role of 'Nah, I can't see myself at Illinois.' "
Benn had a secret, though. He had soured on Notre Dame, saying he felt the coaching staff pressured him too much to commit before exploring all of his options. He also had cooled on Miami and Florida State.
"I liked throwing people off," Benn said. "I realized that I'm going to be playing at the same school as [Bussey], but I wonder if he knows. I don't think he can read me."
ESPN had arranged to air Benn's college decision announcement on Nov. 9. The night before, Bussey drove to Benn's house.
"Big day tomorrow, huh?" Bussey asked. "So, seriously, where are you going?"
"Florida State. They're going to give me the key to the city."
Bussey nodded, wished his friend well and drove home.
When he walked into his bedroom, Bussey saw a text message on his cellphone. It was from Benn.
Don't tell anybody. Go Illini.
"I came to school the next day," Bussey said, "and I still couldn't believe it."
Bussey was alongside Benn's mother, Denise, and Jefferies, hugging Benn after he made his announcement from the ESPN Zone in Northwest.
Today's game, it turns out won't be their last together. In fact, maybe it's just the start.
"Now, we'll both go to the [NFL] and get drafted by the same team," Benn joked.
Different Paths, Same End
Dunbar Duo Follows Unlikely Road: First Ballou, Then Illinois
By Alan Goldenbach
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, November 23, 2006; Page E06
Nathan Bussey wasn't going to kid himself. In a perfect world, Bussey believed, he and Arrelious Benn, best friends on Dunbar's football team, would lead the Crimson Tide to its fourth straight Turkey Bowl title today. Then, their football futures would head separate ways.
Benn, perhaps the nation's top wide receiver in the class of 2007, would be en route to some national championship-contending college program. Bussey, a three-year starting quarterback with magnificent statistics but lacking the mechanics recruiters sought, would head to whatever team would give him a shot. He knew it might not even be a Division I-A school.
"I was going to have to accept that we were going to go to separate schools," Bussey said. "Over the summer, I just promised him and the rest of my teammates that we'd go to the Turkey Bowl before that."
Bussey and Benn delivered on that promise -- for the fourth straight time. No. 13 Dunbar (9-1) plays Ballou (8-3) today in the 37th D.C. Interscholastic Athletic Association title game at Eastern High. Not only would a Dunbar victory today put the Crimson Tide alongside its teams from 1998 to 2001 and Eastern (1958-61) as the only schools to win four straight city championships, it also would make Benn the first to play on four championship teams and Bussey the first to quarterback three title winners.
Their recruitments could not have unfolded more differently. Improbably, however, their football careers are poised to continue at the same place: the University of Illinois.
"I never thought in a million years we'd be playing at the same school. Never," Benn said. "I thought I'd go to some big-name school and he wasn't being recruited that much."
Said Dunbar Coach Craig Jefferies: "It was two ends of the spectrum. When people found out Nate was going to Illinois, they were like, 'Wow, that's big-time for him.' But when Arrelious said he was going to Illinois, it was like, 'What's going on here? What's he thinking?' "
Bussey said he had to realize some schools were turned off by his insistence on wanting to play quarterback. At 6 feet 2, 203 pounds -- coincidentally, the exact same measurements as Benn -- Bussey was projected as a safety in college.
Benn said he felt awkward discussing recruiting with Bussey.
"I never talked to him about recruiting," Benn said. "I probably would've felt uncomfortable, so I just kept it to myself."
Throughout Benn's recruitment, Notre Dame was the clear favorite. Benn was there, along with several top 2007 recruits, last Jan. 14 for the Irish's Junior Day. Perennial powers Florida State and Miami also were high on his list.
Yet Illinois, which has had just two winning seasons since 1995, wasn't discouraged. Illini assistant Mike Locksley, a Ballou High graduate and former Maryland assistant who maintains close ties to the Washington recruiting scene, still pursued Benn.
"I pretty much told [Locksley] that he wasn't going to get Arrelious," Jefferies said. "He said, 'Thanks, but I'm going to keep recruiting him.' "
Locksley cannot discuss Benn or Bussey yet. NCAA rules prohibit schools from talking about recruits until they have a signed letter-of-intent in hand. But he was able to get help elsewhere.
"I just tried to get him to consider the school," said Illinois freshman Vontae Davis, a Dunbar All-Met who graduated last year. "I told him, 'It's just going to be like Dunbar again if you come out here, winning championships.' "
Meantime, Bussey, began to accept his future might be at a position other than quarterback.
Bussey was invited for an official visit to Illinois on Sept. 23.
Bussey loved the school and its scholarship offer to play safety. Finally, he thought, a Division I school in a major conference wanted him. He committed a week later.
Then, Bussey turned his attention to his teammate.
"He kept telling me to check [Illinois] out," Benn said, "and I always kept playing the role of 'Nah, I can't see myself at Illinois.' "
Benn had a secret, though. He had soured on Notre Dame, saying he felt the coaching staff pressured him too much to commit before exploring all of his options. He also had cooled on Miami and Florida State.
"I liked throwing people off," Benn said. "I realized that I'm going to be playing at the same school as [Bussey], but I wonder if he knows. I don't think he can read me."
ESPN had arranged to air Benn's college decision announcement on Nov. 9. The night before, Bussey drove to Benn's house.
"Big day tomorrow, huh?" Bussey asked. "So, seriously, where are you going?"
"Florida State. They're going to give me the key to the city."
Bussey nodded, wished his friend well and drove home.
When he walked into his bedroom, Bussey saw a text message on his cellphone. It was from Benn.
Don't tell anybody. Go Illini.
"I came to school the next day," Bussey said, "and I still couldn't believe it."
Bussey was alongside Benn's mother, Denise, and Jefferies, hugging Benn after he made his announcement from the ESPN Zone in Northwest.
Today's game, it turns out won't be their last together. In fact, maybe it's just the start.
"Now, we'll both go to the [NFL] and get drafted by the same team," Benn joked.
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bigtenuofIfb
Freshman
From a Dec 6 Scout article with Been
"What Illinois is missing are more guys with that ?swagger.? Now comes another one in Benn. ?I want the ball in pressure situations. I love it. I want the ball in tough games. Illinois was close in a lot of games; next year we?re going to win those games. We?re going to a bowl game next year. Starting January 16th I will be in classes. I can?t wait,? Benn added. "
now you gotta love a guy with confidence and "swagger" but Illinois going bowling next year?
AH NO
"What Illinois is missing are more guys with that ?swagger.? Now comes another one in Benn. ?I want the ball in pressure situations. I love it. I want the ball in tough games. Illinois was close in a lot of games; next year we?re going to win those games. We?re going to a bowl game next year. Starting January 16th I will be in classes. I can?t wait,? Benn added. "
now you gotta love a guy with confidence and "swagger" but Illinois going bowling next year?
AH NO
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crazybuckfan40
Head Coach
I still think this kid has more potential on the defensive side of the ball @ LB.
I think that when a team needs to resurface the best thing to do is put the athletes on defense and let them stop the other team...
I think that when a team needs to resurface the best thing to do is put the athletes on defense and let them stop the other team...
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bigtenuofIfb
Freshman
crazybuckfan40;684310; said:
with an exception of a couple blow outs, for the most part Illinois did a pretty good job on Defense this year.....It was their Offense that was terrible....never seen so many recievers drop passes in my life.
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crazybuckfan40
Head Coach
bigtenuofIfb;684319; said:
Yeah, but an athlete like Benn could be a difference maker @ LB.
Did Joe Morgan play this year?
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bigtenuofIfb
Freshman
no he didn't and I'm not really sure what the deal was with him.... Thats a good question to which I don't have an answer. Illinois outa be alright at LB next year with Leman and Steele coming back.
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LightningRod
Legend
An Early Graduate of Dunbar, Benn Adjusts to Hectic College Schedule
Excerpt regarding early enrollment from Zook's perspective:
Excerpt regarding early enrollment from Zook's perspective:
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ol104
RIP Neutron Man
Compare Zook's quote about the end of ones senior year to what Coach Tressel would (ie..it is a special time in the young man's life and he should relish the moment)...I wish Benn luck at Illinios except when they play us, but i have a feeling that he will ultimately regret going to Illinios. Early playing time is great as a freshman, but to me winning games is more important...off my soapbox
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ulukinatme
Old Skool
Benn to enter NFL Draft as a Junior: Illinois Fighting Illini's Arrelious Benn to enter draft, sources say - ESPN Chicago
I was looking forward to him committing to the Irish his freshman year, but he had a pretty decent career despite his numbers being down in '09. Can't help but wonder if Golden Tate would have ever seen the spotlight if Benn had been Clausen's target, they probably would have left Tate as a Running Back.
I was looking forward to him committing to the Irish his freshman year, but he had a pretty decent career despite his numbers being down in '09. Can't help but wonder if Golden Tate would have ever seen the spotlight if Benn had been Clausen's target, they probably would have left Tate as a Running Back.
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