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For the second year in a row, the Super Bowl will have a feature back from the University of Illinois. This time, the Illini tailback is the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Rashard Mendenhall;* who in 2008 became the first University of Illinois player taken in the first round of the NFL Draft since 1996.

14 years ago, UI produced the #2 (Kevin Hardy taken by Jacksonville) and #3 overall (Simeon Rice drafted by Arizona) picks. Hard to believe that team went 5-5-1. Mendenhall’s 4.45 forty time, ideal size at 5’11?, 225, a 33½ inch vertical, Shard has developed into a star in the NFL. The native of Skokie will burn by you, run through you and impress you with a last name that sounds like it should belong to a British aristocrat. Or perhaps the name of the English countryside mansion where that nobleman lives.

Mikel Leshoure is drawing all sorts of Mendenhall comparisons right now, as his draft stock is gaining serious momentum. But who are the other Illini rushers who made their presence felt in the NFL?

Pierre Thomas-
On December 30, 2007, in the New Orleans Saints’ season finale, injuries had taken regular starters Deuce McAllister (out for the season after the 3rd game of the season against the Tennesse Titans), Reggie Bush, and Aaron Stecker out of the game. Thomas proved he could carry the load and despite the Saints loss, Pierre made history that day. Not only did Pierre get his first NFL start in his hometown at Chicago’s Soldier Field against the Bears; he became the first Saints player to gain over 100 yards both rushing and receiving in the same game. It propelled him into a great 2008 season, and starter role in 2009, where he helped the Saints win it all.

Keith Jones-
Had some decent games with the Atlanta Falcons in 1980s.

Ty Douthard, Jameel Cook, Carey Davis, Jason Davis-
I probably wasted your time even bringing up their NFL careers. Rocky Harvey is currently a star with the Ft. Wayne Freedom by the way…I know you DON’T CARE!

Robert Holcombe-
The school’s all-time leading rusher had a fine seven year career as a fullback. In 1999, Holcombe won a Super Bowl with the St. Louis Rams. He played four seasons for the Rams and led the way for NFL MVP Marshall Faulk. Finished with just over a 1,100 career yards and 14 TDs.

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Paul M. Banks is CEO of The Sports Bank.net. He doesn’t have a real nickname, but he is also a regular contributor to the Tribune’s Chicago Now network, Walter Football.com, Yardbarker Network, and Fox Sports.com

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