Illinois Football News: Illini Land Defensive Lineman From FSU

Transfer Portal season is well underway, and Illinois football has again made the news for a key addition. According to Matt Zenitz, a national college football reporter for 247 Sports, Illinois Football has landed Florida State defensive lineman Tomiwa Durojaiye from the transfer portal.

The big man’s addition marks the 5th addition of the offseason for the Fighting Illini from the transfer portal. (3rd on the defensive front)

Other Transfers Thus Far: Wisconsin EDGE Leon Lowery, Northern Illinois Quarterback Ethan Hampton, Ball State Wide Receiver Justin Bowick, and Wisconsin DL Curt Neal.

Former Florida State defensive lineman Tomiwa Durojaiye is expected to transfer to Illinois, @chris_hummer and I have learned for @cbssports/@247sports.

Durojaiye, who transferred to FSU from West Virginia, had 23 tackles and 3.5 sacks for WVU in 2023.https://t.co/10Sz3YxlzO pic.twitter.com/vZLGrUEJBz

— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) December 23, 2024

Thoughts – Tomiwa’s Future Impact for Illinois Football

Tomiwa will battle for minutes in a defensive line room that is in high demand for veteran presences following the eventual exits of fellow former Seminole Dennis Briggs Jr, as well as Te’Rah Edwards. Coach Terrance Jamison needs as much quality rotational depth as he can get going in 2025, and Tomiwa is now a contender to battle for reps with returners Alex Bray, Gentle Hunt, and Jeremiah Warren, (among others) as well as incoming Wisconsin transfer Curt Neal.

Durojaiye has been to four different schools in four seasons, and to this point, he showed his best production in 2023 for West Virginia, where he recorded 3.5 sacks on 23 total tackles for the Mountaineers. However, the veteran saw a major decrease in production in 2024, tabbing up only 3 tackles (1 being a sack) for the Noles.

What the Film Says

Work is there to be done on Tomiwa’s ability to shed blocks, to make a high impact on the passing game. However, the soon-to-be redshirt-junior could make a key addition to the Illini’s rotation for high probability run downs. With time yet to develop, Tank Wright and Coach Jamison could certainly help Tomiwa find his ceiling.

With that said, consistency has to be there for the 3-time transfer.

Regardless, the Illini added another much-needed veteran to the room

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