PASADENA, CALIF. (AP) -- When linebacker J Leman looks around the Illinois locker room, he sees nothing but promise, a future filled with bowl appearances.
Even in the gloomy aftermath of a 49-17 pounding in the Rose Bowl, there's no shortage of optimism from the Illini.
The loss capped a remarkable turnaround that saw them shock top-ranked Ohio State, play in a BCS game and finish 9-4 after going a combined 4-19 in coach Ron Zook's first two seasons.
Leman says the team is loaded with talent and should be successful for years to come.
Leman, however, is a senior and won't be around for that potential success. The Illini also will lose first-team All-America guard Martin O'Donnell.
And star running back Rashard Mendenhall is considering turning pro after a record-setting junior season in which he ran for 1,681 yards.
(Copyright ©2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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