Everyone in the Illinois football program knew about Terry Hawthorne's speed, but when the freshman put it on display against Michigan last week he renewed discussion about his future.

The East St. Louis product said he has broken 4.4 seconds in the 40, and no one was going to argue after watching him make what turned out to be a game-saving tackle.

Hawthorne arrived for camp in August as a receiver but was soon moved to defensive back at the prompting of coach Ron Zook. The question persists about where he will land for the long haul and if he might play both ways.

"I'm really comfortable playing cornerback now,'' Hawthorne said. "Coach Zook said I might get a chance to go on offense, so just be prepared. ... I'm not saying I will, but hopefully I'll start doing it next year sometime during the spring playing offense and defense.''

Hawthorne made his first start against Michigan and is expected to see extensive time today when the Illini play at Minnesota, which relies heavily on its passing game.

He secured a place in Illinois lore by chasing down Roy Roundtree at the 1-yard line, thwarting a touchdown and setting the stage for the Illini's first home win over Michigan since 1983.

Illinois defensive coaches have known from the start that Hawthorne's position change was not necessarily permanent. But co-defensive coordinator Dan Disch wants to keep him from moving to the offense.

"That will be an interesting question," he said. "And if they ask me it will be no. But it's up to Coach Zook and him.''

The change came because the Illini were considered to be deep at receiver. Hawthorne seemed to have a better chance of cracking the rotation at safety or cornerback.

He was named the country's top high school receiver by Parade Magazine but also dominated on defense for East St. Louis in 2008. He had 1,009 receiving yards with 19 touchdown catches and 118 tackles with eight interceptions.

Zook has raised the possibility of using Hawthorne both ways, something he also talked about doing with former Illinois cornerback Vontae Davis. That never happened.

"No. 1, there has to be a need,'' Zook said. "I'm not sure there's a need right now. That would be the first thing. As good an athlete as Terry is, it's hard to play both ways. It's impossible to get the amount of reps necessary (in practice). It's been done but it's just hard to do.''

In his first start, Hawthorne had six tackles and one pass breakup. Zook said there also was a play where the freshman was beaten but the pass was overthrown.

Hawthorne said he doesn't consider himself better at one position than the other, so where he lands isn't his concern.

"He came to me and asked how I felt about switching," Hawthorne said. "I told him I didn't mind for the team.''

Hawthorne also has been used on kickoff returns in recent games, but he has averaged just 18.4 yards on five attempts.

For a guy who was known in high school for making big plays with the ball in his hands, the chance to alter a game with nothing but pure speed was something different.

Zook is hoping the play against Michigan is a launching point for more wins.

"We'll have to wait and see what the meaning of the play is," he said. "There's no question it turned around the game. But as the season goes along, maybe it will be a major play in the turning of our season.''