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A Few Illinois Football Players Enter the Transfer Portal

In unfortunate news, the Illinois Football program finds itself with 3 recently opened roster spots

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2 weeks ago

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A Few Illinois Football Players Enter the Transfer Portal
Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

A Few Illinois Football Players Enter the Transfer Portal

It’s that time of year again. The sun is shining, the flowers are blooming, and Illinois football & basketball fans are locked in on the transfer portal news, which seems to be non-stop at this point. Spring football is here as well, which means that Bret Bielema’s crew is working hard to shape his roster for the 2024 season. Especially as the Illini get into live scrimmages. With that said, players also catch a glimpse into what their play-time outlook will be. Which, is a recipe for potential transfers.

In unfortunate news, the Illinois Football program finds itself with 4 recently opened roster spots. Linebacker Jared Badie, wide receiver Eian Pugh, and Offensive lineman Will Leys, all took advantage of the spring football portal window. Furthermore, deciding to take their talents elsewhere. With the addition of these 3 guys, the total is now up to 8 players that have stepped away from the Illini program. Including Owen Anderson, Joey Okla, Dylan Davis, and Anthony Johnson.

Jared Badie

Badie is a 6’3, 255lb sophomore linebacker out of Oswego East High School in the Chicago metro. He played in seven games for Illinois football in 2023, and totaled 1 solo tackle in those 7 games. Certainly, Badie is very young in his career, and could have taken a step forward under Aaron Henry’s defensive staff. However, the native of Aroura Illinois decided on Tuesday to enter his name in the spring portal window. Jaded is a big body linebacker/edge rusher type, who certainly holds the framework of a good Big Ten defender. However, as the roster starts to take form, Jared decided to step away from the program.

Eian Pugh

A recruit that fans and the Illinois football staff were really high on coming out of high school. The Long, athletic freshman receiver was a big play maker for Fenwick high school in Chicago. Standing in at 6’3 and 180lbs, Eian certainly has the measurables, and the potential talent to be a big play maker at this level. However, the native of Naperville Illinois did not play a singe game for the Illini in 2023. Halfway into spring football, Eian decided on Friday (4/12) to enter his name into the Portal. Certainly, to head for a roster that needs more bodies in the receiving core.

Will Leys

On Monday (4/15), offensive lineman Will Leys decided to enter his name into the spring transfer portal window as well. The 6’2, 285lb sophomore JUCO transfer joined Illinois Football last season from Saddleback College. Unfortunately however, Will never saw playing time for the Illini. Bart Millers group is a projected position of strength in 2024. Arguably their deepest and best unit on the field. It is of no surprise to see a small handful of lineman step away for a better opportunities for playing time. Leys, a native of Anaheim California, will have three years of eligibility remining for his next destination.

Zachary Tobe

Sophomore defensive back Zachary Tobe is the Illinois Football squads most recent Transfer. Entering the spring football portal window on Tuesday evening. Zach is the mold of a big and athletic secondary player, in which Illinois has had recent success (Minus 2023, of course). However, it does not seem that things are going to work out at Illinois for Tobe.

The defensive back room mightily struggled in 2023, and going into the 2024 season, Illinois has not done a ton to address this position, outside of prep prospects.  Which, provides an opportunity to develop a young DB room, into good Big Ten Starters. Similar to Kerby Joseph, Quan Martin, and Devon Witherspoon (underrated Juco transfer). Certainly, Zach seemed to be in the mix as a starter in 2024, as a player who stepped up and started for Illinois when needed last season.

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Kirkland is a go-to source for Illinois athletics news, and content creator at Armchair Illini. His work has been featured in top media publications like Bleacher Report, Yard Barker, Autograph, Newsbreak, CBS Sports and more.

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