Jeff George still is a member of the Illinois football team, but spring practice began without him Monday.
With George still undecided about whether he`s going to turn pro, Illini coach John Mackovic decided the quarterback should remain on the sidelines until he makes up his mind. George has until March 22 to make a final decision.
”I talked to him late last week, and he told me he`s not prepared to make a decision,” Mackovic said. ”I said I understood. I thought it would be better for him to get the facts before he starts practicing.”
Mackovic said George was willing to take part in drills. Mackovic, though, didn`t want to get into a situation where George would participate in drills for only a few days and then leave the team.
”Hopefully, he will be back,” Mackovic said. ”It`s a difficult situation. If he`s going to be with us, he should be with us for good.”
There`s speculation George is waiting to see what Houston`s Andre Ware does before making his decision. If Ware, the 1989 Heisman Trophy winner, who is practicing, stays in school, George has a shot at being the top quarterback selected in the draft.
”We haven`t talked about Ware,” Mackovic said. ”He`s weighing a lot of things heavily. He has a genuine idea of the pros and cons. He`s taken his time. In the long run, that could be the best thing in making his decision.” Mackovic said he plans to talk to George toward the middle of the week.
