Illinois Football adds another Transfer DB

Illinois Football adds another Transfer DB.

An already spicy competition just got spicier. The Illini just added Southern Illinois safety Clayton Bush. The addition of Bush continues the Illini’s attempt to rebuild a secondary that amassed 24 interceptions, the most in college football. The fighting Illini lost four defensive backs (including three starting safeties), who are now on NFL rosters. Those defensive backs had 17 of Illinois’ 24 interceptions. The secondary was an anchor of one of the best defenses in college football last season.

Bret Bielema and his staff have been n tremendous in signing players out of the portal.

Bush joins fellow transfers Demetrius  Hill (Florida International) and Nicario Harper (Louisville). Harper was an FCS All-American at Jacksonville State before transferring to the Cardinals. Signing three transfer safeties was critical since the Illini play three safeties when they play five defensive backs. In addition, the Illini have high expectations this year, and bringing in an impact veteran reduces risk in the defensive backfield.

That said, the secondary room is quite crowded. In addition to the portal signees, Bush has to compete with returnees Matthew Bailey, TJ Griffin, Xavier Scott, Tyson Rooks,  d Kionte Curry for snaps. Bush is a free safety who can cover the deep half or deep third o the field. He also can come down and cover the slot if asked.

Clayton Bush began his career at Western Kentucky. Bush was a three-star recruit out of South Warren High School. He was the 17th-rated player in Kentucky. After a year close to home, Bush transferred to FCS Southern Illinois. In three seasons in Carbondale, Bush totaled 156 tackles, 12 pass breakups, and five interceptions in 3 years at Southern Illinois. Last season, he totaled 48 tackles, four pass breakups, and one interception. Bush comes to Champaign with one year of eligibility left.