Illinois joins a growing number of football programs that use GPS technology for 'smarter' practices

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - As football players enter the Illinois weight room, a digital monitor catches their eyes. Skill-position players pause to check the screen and see if they've been included in the "speed freaks" club.

Thanks to Illinois' recent purchase of athletic vests that include a Global Positioning System device to track performances, coaches and athletic trainers are collecting data to help them optimize players' physical conditioning in practices.

But for some players, it's simple. It's all about speed.