Sportshorts for Thursday, Feb. 7, 2013

Bailey tops Illini recruiting haul

The most notable among Wednesday’s signees for the University of Illinois was Aaron Bailey, a four-star recruit from Bolingbrook.Bailey, son of the former NFL receiver by the same name, is rated as the No. 9 quarterback nationally by Rivals.com and the No. 4 player in the state. The 6-foot-2, 220-pounder is expected to be in position to take over once Nathan Scheelhaase graduates.

The Illini’s haul is a positive sign, with two four-star recruits out of a class of 25 commitments, which includes Ottawa’s Michael Hermosillo, who is listed as a wide receiver.

Three five-star recruits pick Irish

Linebacker Jaylon Smith, running back Greg Bryant and safety Max Redfield led Notre Dame’s signing day arrivals, three five-star prospects pacing a class that is set to challenge for a top 5 spot nationally.

Smith, a 6-foot, 3-inch, 212-pounder from Ft. Wayne, Ind., was ranked as the nation’s No. 3 player in the most recent Rivals rankings. Bryant, a 5-foot-11, 197-pound back from Delray Beach, Fla., was No. 19 overall.

Top-ranked recruit picks Ole Miss

Mississippi landed the
top prize of the 2013 recruiting class with heralded defensive end Robert Nkemdiche.

The 6-foot-5, 260-pound 18-year-old, a two-time high school All-American who amassed 43 sacks during his prep career, will join a rising Ole Miss program that is coming off a 7-6 season capped by a victory in the BBVA Compass Bowl under the direction of first-year head coach Hugh Freeze.

NFL

Bears to boost
season-ticket prices

Season-ticket prices for 2013 Chicago Bears games will increase between $3 and $10 per game for 90 percent of the seating bowl.

Non-club season-ticket prices now will range from $79 to $165, with United Club prices ranging from $265 to $540 per game.

Giant’s release
RB Bradshaw

The New York Giants released running back Ahmad Bradshaw and defensive tackle Chris Canty as part of their continued efforts to get under the NFL’s salary cap.