Illinois Football lands Colorado State linebacker Robert Edmonson

Illinois football continues its transfer portal haul with the addition of linebacker Robert Edmonson. The 6-foot-3, 225-pound linebacker has signed with the Illini after spending two years at Prairie View A&M and the past season at Colorado State. Per 247sports, Edmonson is a three-star transfer and the 196th overall linebacker in this transfer portal class.

Edmonson had a productive 2025 season with Colorado State. He played 335 snaps and had 47 tackles, 1.0 sack, and one interception.

How he fits with the Illini

Illinois needs depth at linebacker. Seniors Dylan Rosiek and Kenenna Odeluga are out of eligibility, while rotational pieces Malachi Hood and JoJo Hayden entered the transfer portal. The Illini are high on what rising senior James Kreutz can provide; Illinois football is rather thin at the linebacker position. They have some intriguing young talent in rising sophomore Grant Beerman and true freshman Cam Thomas coming into the room.

However, Robert Edmonson provides a veteran bridge to allow Thomas and Beerman to develop comfortably. The Illini also have talented linebacker Ismael Kante, who will likely play a lot of reps next year as well.

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