CHAMPAIGN - He has heard new voices speak up in ways that demonstrate leadership.

He has seen evidence that the success the University of Illinois football team experienced last season won't be taken for granted this year.

With just three of 15 spring practices remaining, including Saturday's annual Spring Game, Coach Ron Zook has seen many of the signs of progress he's been looking for.

Now, Zook hopes a crisp finish to spring drills will point the Illini in a positive direction until Camp Rantoul convenes in early August and the team zeroes in on the season opener Aug. 30 against Missouri.

In fact, Zook said he has even seen something he has never seen before: a players-only meeting called during spring practice.

"That was a first for me," Zook said Tuesday. "I didn't know if that was good or not…but it was."

Zook said that without even knowing what went on in the meeting. Coaches were not permitted to attend, but the suspicion is that team leaders, including linebacker Brit Miller of Decatur, called the meeting to make sure players were keeping a positive attitude at a time when coaches "were pushing them hard," Zook said.

"A month ago I said there were things we wanted to accomplish and one of those was leadership," the coach said. "This is a new team. Who's going to step up?

"In education, we teach math, reading and writing. But the one thing we don't do is teach them is to become leaders. Everybody is a leader differently. Some lead by example. Some do it by saying, `Let's go! Let's go! Let's go!"'

Miller, the senior who has taken over at middle linebacker for departed All-American J Leman, has become a more demonstrative leader, pulling players aside, talking and gesturing.

"The thing that has impressed me about Brit is that I told him, you won't be J Leman," Zook said. "I told him to be who you are. He's a good player. He's had a lot of plays here. He loves the university. Everyone wants to talk to him. He's a good quote. I told him, `Just be a good player."'

Offensively, Zook agrees it has been difficult running the football but said that's been a tribute to a defense he believes, "has a chance to be really special.

"And the No. 1 thing with our passing game, we're doing a better job knowing where to go with the football.

"Defensively, we wanted to add some wrinkles and I'm excited about the direction we're going there. We're big and we can run and now we have some older guys who have done it for a while."

Zook said the spring has produced a number of pleasant surprises and while naming them, it's clear the defense holds more than its share.

"David Lindquist (defensive lineman) is playing about as well as anyone we've had here," Zook said. "(Defensive end) Will Davis has gotten bigger. He's a very, very powerful leverage player.

"(Defensive lineman) Antonio James has really progressed. (Defensive end) Clay Nurse is a guy who can run and is explosive and powerful. I'm very pleased with him. (Defensive tackle) Josh Brent, when he gets playing to his capability, is going to be a pretty good player.

"I told (cornerback) Dere Hicks that he's doing everything we ask. He had two interceptions in our scrimmage Saturday and could have had four. I told him not to be surprised to have the ball in his hands."

Zook praised the play of safeties Nate Bussey and Bo Flowers and said he's excited to have ball hawk sophomore Travon Bellamy join the safety mix full-time when he resumes contact in the fall. Bellamy, a converted cornerback, had 33 interceptions as a high school standout in Maryland.

"(Tight end) Michael Hoomanawanui is getting better," Zook said. "He's trying to do everything we've asked.

"(Wide receiver) Chris Duvalt, he can be a play-maker for us. (Linebacker) Rodney Pittman has been a real pleasant surprise. He knows it's his job to lose."

Zook said he's been impressed with the eight early-enrollees (seven freshmen and one transfer) and said rookie offensive linemen Jeff Allen (6-4, 326 pounds, Chicago King) and Graham Pocic (6-7, 316, Lemont) have already demonstrated they'll be good college players.

"You never know about recruits until you get them here but it makes us excited to get the rest of our players here (this summer).

"There's no question we've made progress," Zook said. "But we still have a long way to go. My definition of turning the corner is when you win consistently, year-in and year-out. We haven't done that yet. We still have to prove that."

A jump from two victories in 2006 to nine victories last season showed considerable progress is being made. So far this spring, Zook thinks his Illini are at least building on that progress.

Mark Tupper can be reached at mtupper@herald-review.com or at 421-7983.