Asmussen Eisenmenger is latest local product to say 'yes' to the Illini
CHAMPAIGN - It is an exclusive club.
One with a couple of entry requirements: 1. Must be good enough to play Big Ten football and 2. Grew up a long bike ride from the Illinois campus, in the 217 area code.
On Wednesday, the hometown club added its latest member when Unity star quarterback Dane Eisenmenger took Bret Bielema's offer and became an Illini.
He joins a prestigious list of News-Gazette area standouts who decided to stay close to home to play college football.
There is going to be a big Unity cheering section each week at the beautiful building on First and Kirby.
The stay-at-home club has been good for Illinois football, producing All-Americans (Champaign Central linebacker J Leman), Academic All-Americans (St. Joseph-Ogden wide receiver John Wright Jr.) and NFL draft picks (Centennial running back Mikel Leshoure and Rantoul offensive lineman Sean Bubin).
Eisenmenger isn't the first from Unity to say "yes" to the Orange and Blue. That would be 1950s halfback Don Grothe and 1950s end Rocky Ryan.
The list of area quarterbacks who played at Illinois goes way back and includes Champaign's John Easterbrook, Fred Major and Dustin Ward.
For some reason, the area has been an absolute gold mine for Illinois on special teams. Kickers (Danville's Caleb Griffin and Champaign's Chris White), punters (Urbana's Matt Minnes) and long snappers (Urbana's Brian Scott, Centennial's Michael Martin and Patrick Rouse and St. Joseph-Ogden's Ryan Craig).
Need some blocking? Danville's Julian Pearl delivered. Tackling? Urbana's Sam Ellsworth, Champaign Central's Greg Boysaw and Jeff Trigger and Danville's Greg Colby.
Want a pass batted away? Try Urbana's Morris Virgil (also a standout runner), Champaign Central's Drew McMahon and Tyler Rouse answered the call.
Stuffing the run or making a key sack? Centennial's late Robby Long, Schlarman's Glenn Collier, Tuscola's Fred Wakefield and Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley's Bryce Barnes.
Absolutely need a game-winning catch? Centennial's Jacob and Lenny Willis Jr. learned from their Ohio State alum dad and Illinois assistant Lenny Sr.
Eisenmenger won't be the only 217 product on the 2026 team. Former GCMS standout Aidan Laughery and former Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond standout Kaden Feagin will help at running back and tight end, respectively.
The best part
Eisenmenger will be supported like no other player. By his family and friends and by the community, Philo, where he grew up.
And by the C-U area.
He is one of them, and the fans want to him succeed.
There will be no need to adjust to a new city. Eisenmenger is from here and knows the best places to eat and where to find cheap gas (good luck with that one).
He will turn into a tour guide for his out-of-town teammates, who will ask "Where are the best donuts? "Who has the best pizza?" And "What is this Quad I keep hearing about?"
Homesickness won't be any kind of issue when you can zip home in 10 minutes.
Going from high school to college academically can be a challenge, but Eisenmenger is a strong student with ample local support. The entire community wants him to excel in the classroom and on the field.
Being a townie has other positives. All those who came before him will be on his side. If Eisenmenger has questions, there are endless resources.
I'd start with Leman, who still lives in the community and roots for his alma mater. But there are so many others, all wanting his path to be as rewarding as their own.
Pressure, what pressure?
Eisenmenger was a wizard for the Rockets excelling in three sports.
But college is more difficult. It will take a second for him to learn Barry Lunney's offense and the speed of college football. That pass that was always completed in high school sometimes gets knocked away. It is part of the learning process.
But Eisenmenger has time to develop. East Carolina transfer Katin Houser was brought in to start in 2026. He has a ton of experience and will be a valuable asset for Eisenmenger this season. I'd suggest the freshman listen to every word and follow his lead.
There are other quarterbacks ahead of Eisenmenger on the depth chart, so again, no rush. Every day provides a chance to get better.
One potential annoyance that might come up: Everyone might think because Eisenmenger is now a part of the team, he has unlimited access to tickets.
Let's put that notion to bed right now, he does not. Players are allowed a limited number of free admissions to each game, but those should go first to immediate family.
Credit cards work just fine at the Illinois ticket office.
Please, let Eisenmenger concentrate on the games at hand.
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This story was originally published June 11, 2026 at 9:59 AM.