BLOOMINGTON - The question comes frequently for University of Illinois football coach Ron Zook, former head coach at Florida: What is the difference between the Southeastern Conference and the Big Ten?

"The thing I say is, the biggest difference is in the Southeastern Conference, you may have more big guys who can run," Zook said Wednesday.

In other words, more guys like Josh Brent.

Earlier Wednesday, the 6-foot-3, 305-pound Brent, a Central Catholic High School star, made good on his oral commitment to the Illini, signing a national letter of intent.

Zook said he sees in Brent what he saw so much of in the SEC.

"When you look at Josh, you see a 300-pounder who is light on his feet, plays basketball and is quick and athletic," Zook said.

"I always say the closer you are to the football (lining up), the harder it is to play as a young guy.

"Josh is a guy who is big and strong and can run. When you're big and you can run, you usually find a way to get on that field."

Brent starred on both sides of the ball at Central, earning all-state and All-America honors. He will play defense for the Illini after being ranked the ninth-best defensive tackle in the nation and the No. 5 recruit overall in Illinois by Rivals.com.

Brent orally committed on Dec. 26, choosing the Illini over Big Ten heavyweights Ohio State, Michigan and Wisconsin.

His mix of size, strength and quickness prompted Ohio State coach Jim Tressel to visit Central Catholic in early December. In the end, Brent said the best fit athletically and academically was at Illinois, where the Class A state shot put champion also plans to compete in track and field.

Brent hopes to play next season, calling it "a definite possibility."

"But it's not going to be given to me," he said. "I'm going to have to come in and work just as hard, or even harder, than somebody else who's already there. The opportunity is there. Whether or not I take advantage of it is up to me."

Brent was in on more than 80 tackles as a senior with 19 tackles for loss and eight sacks, helping Central to a 9-2 record. Rated a four-star recruit by Rivals.com and Scout.com, he also is the starting center on the Saints' No. 8 state-ranked basketball team.

At Illinois, he will be reunited with former Central standout Michael Hoomanawanui, a freshman tight end for the Illini this past fall.

Brent called Hoomanawanui's presence "a great thing," adding, "I won't come in and be shellshocked when I get into everything. He's told me some things he wished he would have done and could have done and given me the heads up on them."

Brent is part of a recruiting class rated among the top 20 in the country. He said Illinois made "vast improvement" last year, even though it was not reflected in its 2-10 record.

"With the class we have coming in, more improvement is to come," Brent said. "We're not going to have instant success like some fans want us to. But I think success will eventually come to us."

Brent's public "signing" came at 12:30 p.m. in the Central Catholic cafeteria. However, his signed letter of intent was faxed to Zook hours earlier.

"I called him as soon as I sent my papers through," Brent said. "He was pretty excited to get the call."

And Brent?

"I was as pumped as I could be at 7 o'clock in the morning. It was pretty early," he said. "I'm usually up (at 7), but not actually doing anything or actually moving. I just have my eyes open around that time."