Eastern Illinois University Athletics

EIU: 2007 Outlook: Projected to start at left guard or center following spring workouts... 2006: Started first 10 games of season before suffering an injury against Tennessee State... graded out an average of 83.6 percentage for 10 games... 2005: Graded at 80.6 percent in 224 plays with 42 knockdown blocks... started final game against Samford... 2004: Played 123 snaps with 13 knockdown blocks and no QB sacks allowed.

HIGH SCHOOL: Champaign News-Gazette Special Mention All-State and team captain for coach Andy Bitto at 2003 IHSA Class 6A state champ Carmel HS (13-0)... also was two-time All-Lake County and two-time East Suburban Catholic All-Conference... during his three year career Carmel was 39-3 with three conference championships, a Prep Bowl title and the state championship.

PERSONAL: Communication studies major... No. 1 sports highlight was "winning the state championship"... son of Andy Gross and Rosemary Cairo... cousin Louis Cairo is a redshirt freshman on EIU defense.