CHAMPAIGN - Had all gone according to plans, Saturday's Illini spring football game would have been a coming out party for tight end Michael Hoomanawanui of Bloomington.

He asserted himself through spring drills and had emerged as the first legitimate downfield pass-catching threat from the tight end position since coach Ron Zook and offensive coordinator Mike Locksley installed the offense for the 2005 season.

Hoomanawanui's stepped-up level of play was recognized at halftime of the spring game when he stepped forward to accept from Zook a plaque given to the team's most improved offensive player.

The trouble was that Hoomanawanui was standing in street clothes.

A strained hamstring convinced coaches to withhold him from action, spoiling his chance to show a crowd of 12,531 the progress he'd made.

During the presentation of the plaque, Zook made this ominous comment regarding his tight end's hamstrings: "We're going to get them fixed this summer."

Hmmmm. Surgery?

No, Zook explained after the game.

"He's had some other problems with them. He'll work and work and work and when he gets better, he stops working on them," Zook said. "Rashard Mendenhall had the same problem."

The solution, Zook said, was to get Hoomanawanui on a workout program and hold him to it, even when the hamstrings are pain-free.

Locksley praised Hoomanawanui, who was already regarded as a top-rate run blocker, into an improved pass receiving threat.

"He has really come along," Locksley said. "He was our most improved player on offense. He has become so much more of a threat in our passing offense.

"Traditionally, the tight end has played a big role in this offense. Early on, we tried to make Jeff Cumberland a tight end but he wasn't comfortable there. But now, with (Hoomanawanui) coming on, I think he'll play a prominent role for us."

Miller taking the lead

Almost always when there's a "players-only" meeting, it's to address negative issues away from the eyes and ears of the coaching staff.

The exception came this spring when a small group of Illini players, led by Decatur linebacker Brit Miller, called the team together and politely asked the coaches to stay away.

It was no surprise that Miller was a central part of the meeting. The coaching staff has specifically asked him to take on a larger leadership role since he's replacing J Leman, who was arguably the most looked-to leader last season.

Miller, center Ryan McDonald and quarterback Juice Williams addressed the team.

"We just thought that coach (Zook) was asking us who's going to step up and be leaders and this was one way of showing him," Miler said. "We told players if you want to step up and be a leader, let us know and show us. That's what it was all about.

"We talked about personal goals and team goals.

"A lot of people associate players-only meetings with negativity, and that wasn't the case. It was something we needed to do with the changing of the guard."

Miller also admitted a case of turf toe that bothered him going into the Rose Bowl is still causing him pain.

He said, however, that the matter should be resolved now that he can rest it before gearing back up this summer. "Rest is the only thing I can do for it and that hasn't been possible lately," he said. "You'ver got to go out there and show what you can do."

Burners

Wide receiver Chris Duvalt was asked if he is the fastest player on the Illini team.

No, he said, that honor goes to 5-foot-8 wideout Will Judson.

"Will is No. 1, Vontae Davis is No. 2 and I'm No. 3," Duvalt said.

What about University of Florida transfer Jarred Fayson, who returned the second half kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown in Saturday's spring game?

"I'm basing it on what we ran in the 40-yard dash and Jarred didn't run because of his hamstring," Duvalt said. "But he's definitely in the top five."

Top linebackers

The 10 greatest Illini football players at each position will be honored during the Sept. 6 home opener against Eastern Illinois.

The first group to be named, based in part on fan internet voting, are the school's top 10 linebackers.

Named to the linebacking group (in alphabetical order) are Darrick Brownlow (1987-90), Bill Burrell (1957-59), Dick Butkus (1962-64), Kevin Hardy (1992-95), John Holocek (1991-94), Dana Howard (1991-94), J Leman (2004-07), Ray Nitschke (1955-57), Scott Studwell (1973-76) and John Sullivan (1974-78).