Four workouts into his return to football, basketball forward C.J. Jackson says he’s not ready to give up either sport quite yet.

Jackson dressed for Saturday’s scrimmage, but did not record any stats. Nor did he offer any real suggestions of what exactly his future as an Illini athlete will look like.

“I don’t have to make a decision right at this moment,” Jackson said after the football Spring Game on Saturday. “I have a couple months to teeter-totter, and the coaches are open to that.”

Football coach Ron Zook said he realizes that four workouts is not enough time to catch up after more than two years away from the game. He said he also knows it is too soon to expect Jackson to make up his mind about what he will do for the summer and into next fall.

“Obviously, he’s an athlete; anybody who can play basketball at the University of Illinois is an athlete,” Zook said. “He’s got a great smile on his face, and I’m looking forward to sitting down to see where he’s at.”

Despite his indecision, Jackson made one thing clear about his future.

“I’ve got to play basketball, man, I’ve got to play it.” he said. “My heart’s still out there on the hardwood.”

Honorary coaches talk change

Former Illini and NFL standouts Jeff George and Simeon Rice served as honorary coaches at the Spring Game. And being the good alumni they are, the pair spoke positively of Illinois’ progress – both in construction and in recruiting.

“Aesthetically, everything’s getting built up; it’s a beautiful thing,” said Rice, a linebacker who was the No. 3 pick in the 1996 NFL draft. “You see so much progression; it’s coming back for me in a time capsule, but a pretty one. It’s a beautiful thing to see where this team’s going. They look like a first-class program. The future is now, and they’re ready for it.”

George, who was Illinois’ only No. 1 pick when the Indianapolis Colts chose him first in 1990, had more to say about recruiting than about physical rebuilding.

“If you can get the top prospects to come, you’ll have something special,” George said. “I’m not sure when the last time they had a winning season and went to a bowl game was, but I know they’re close. I think this will be the year for them.”

Next year’s top prospect

Juice Williams was not a member of Friday’s All-Hair Team, but he broke out a unique look of his own Saturday, sporting a mohawk for the Spring Game.

Williams said he had receiver DaJuan Warren coif his hair before the game, but he had defensive lineman Antonio James shave it off before doing interviews afterwards.

“It wasn’t something I wanted to walk around campus with,” Williams said.

Quote of the day

“All I know is two years ago the weather was not very good, and we were not very good, The weather is beautiful today, so hopefully we’re going to be a lot better as well.” – Coach Ron Zook on the relation between the crowd turnout and Saturday’s warm weather.