Turner, Illini go on a switch hunt Hayden among group moving from 'O' to 'D'

RANTOUL, Ill. -- Knowing they faced the difficult challenge ofimproving a defense that gave up 39.6 points per Big Ten game lastfall, Illinois coach Ron Turner gathered his defensive assistantsover the winter and handed them his offensive roster.

The board is open," Turner said. You can draft anybody you wantexcept E.B. Halsey from the offense."

When the draft was over, Kelvin Hayden, Illinois' top receiverlast fall, was penciled in at cornerback. Morris Virgil, who hadaveraged 6.8 yards per carry in limited rushing duty the previous twoseasons, was a strong safety. James Cooper, an obscure tailback,moved to cornerback. And 6-7, 270-pound Chris Norwell, who had been atight end in a promising group of freshman offensive linemen, was adefensive tackle.

Hayden and Virgil, both seniors, are projected starters. Norwell,a redshirt freshman, will see extensive duty up front as a keyreserve if he doesn't win a starting job. Cooper, a junior, has shownsigns he'll be a top reserve at cornerback.

In an age when specialization and year-round preparation are therule, can they become successful defenders this quickly?

They can, and they're expected to," Turner said. They all playedboth ways in high school. They've all done it. It's a differentlevel, but they're good football players. And they'll get better asthey go."

Hayden, who had 10 interceptions as a freshman at Hubbard HighSchool, is especially enthusiastic about the switch.

Me and Morris talk about how when we get a pick, we're just goingto do what we did on offense," he said.

Hayden thinks his move should help not only a defense that hadonly two interceptions last season, but also his pro prospects.

That's everybody's dream," he said. I'm trying to put myself inthe best situation. For now, though, I'm just focused on this year.It's a new day, a new attitude."

After falling behind Halsey and others on a crowded tailback depthchart last fall, Virgil got an early taste of safety duties when heshifted to a depleted defense in the middle of the 2003 season.

When I got switched last season, I didn't set my mind to safetyfor a while because then I moved back to running back," Virgil said.But when the season was over, I talked with coach Turner, and hesaid, I want you to be our starting strong safety.' Once he gave methat goal, I put my mind to accomplishing that. It was a chance toplay."

Norwell also is enthusiastic about the switch.

On defense, you just react," he said. That suits me real well."

The offensive crossovers are making strides on defense, said MikeMallory, the Illini's new defensive coordinator and a standoutlinebacker at Michigan in the early '80s.

I don't want to say there was uneasiness," Mallory said, but ittook some time to get comfortable. We tried to keep things basic atfirst, so they could work on their technique. You can see themgetting more and more comfortable."

After going through some undeniable highs and painful lows usingthe tricky schemes of Mallory's predecessor, Mike Cassity, theIllinois defense likes the idea of getting back to basics.

We've simplified things," Turner said. We're going to do less, andwe're going to do it better. Most importantly, we're going to tacklemuch better."

Count Halsey among those who believe the new defenders can hit theground running.

There's no question those guys can make the switch," he said.They're athletes."