Safety Blake Ruffin recovered a fumble in his first collegiate game at Eastern Illinois in 2021 but missed all of last season with a knee injury. (Photo by EIUPanthers.com)
First in a four-part series; Next: Illinois State Redbirds
By Barry Bottino
An interception on the third day of fall camp last season showed the impact Blake Ruffin can make on a football field.
That impact, however, was erased seconds later.
“I was running it back,” said Ruffin, a sophomore safety at Eastern Illinois. “I got pushed, then I cut wrong. From there, I knew something was wrong.”
That something was a torn ACL in his left knee and the end to his 2022 season.
“The first two months (post injury) were really hard for me,” said Ruffin, who showed promise as a freshman in 2021 when he recovered a fumble in his first collegiate game at South Carolina and played in all 11 games. “The whole month of August, just watching everybody practice and waiting for my surgery date. That was rough.”
Despite the mental and physical challenges of a full season away from the field, Ruffin is back and thriving this fall.
“So happy to be back,” he said.
Ruffin is one of four Fresh Faces at Eastern Illinois this fall. The annual Prairie State Pigskin series introduces readers to a promising group of newcomers to the roster and returnees who will play expanded roles.
The 6-foot-4, 205-pound Ruffin provides versatility for Eastern in the secondary. He can play both safety spots and relishes the opportunity to get back on the field beginning Aug. 31 in the season opener at Indiana State.
“I felt that last year we had the right people and the right talent, then we had some unfortunate things happen,” said Ruffin, who was among a number of key injuries across the roster. “We all believe we can go out and get everything accomplished this year that we want.”
Ruffin is part of a deep secondary that has built a strong bond.
“It’s our chemistry,” he said. “We all understand how each other plays and where each one of us will be. We have a good sense of communication. A lot of our verbal communications are quick. We just know.”
EIU head coach Chris Wilkerson gave Ruffin full clearance in fall practices, with a catch.
“Me and Coach Wilk had a long talk about being wrapped up until Aug. 31,” Ruffin joked.
Wilkerson’s advice was simple, according to Ruffin: “Just knock off all the rust, keep getting ready and sharpen up.”
EIU’s other 2023 Fresh Faces include:
Defense
Adonis Forrest Jr., S, Junior
Like Ruffin, the 6-4, 215-pound Forrest provides versatility by playing both safety spots. “That helps us a lot,” Ruffin said. “If anyone goes down in those spots, we can throw him in, and he’ll play it. He’s learned the system pretty quickly.”
The recruiting website 247Sports.com named Forrest the No. 1 junior college safety in his class last season at Contra Costa College in northern California. He made 13 tackles a year ago during an injury-shortened season.
Offense
Eli Mirza, WR, Junior
Mirza’s production last season at Sierra College near Sacramento, Calif., was impressive. Along with 74 catches, he hauled in 10 touchdowns.
This fall, he will be used as a slot receiver for the Panthers, a place where he feels quite comfortable.
“I’ve worked in the slot pretty much my whole life as a receiver,” he said, citing his agility and quickness. The 5-11, 190-pound Mirza had two games last season at Sierra with 10 receptions. “They found ways to get me the ball, through motions, putting me on the outside, on the inside. Being reliable for my quarterback is a big key for me.”
Kevin Daniels, RB, Redshirt Sophomore
At 230 pounds, the Northern Arizona transfer has impressed teammates with his athleticism. “You’d think someone the size of him would be a big bruiser,” Ruffin said. “He’s really light on his feet.”
Daniels rushed for more than 1,100 yards at NAU in 2021 as a freshman, earning FCS Freshman All-America honors from HERO Sports.
Last season, he played in only three games before a season-ending leg injury.
Barry Bottino is a co-founder of Prairie State Pigskin and a 19-year veteran of three Illinois newspapers. He has covered college athletics since 1995.
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