Illinois Football news: South Dakota State TE Davin Stoffel Signs with the Illini

NEWS: Illinois football has signed former South Dakota State Tight end, Davin Stoffel. Stoffel is a 6 foot 6, 250-pound rising redshirt sophomore who will have three years of eligibility. After entering the transfer portal, Stoffel visited ACC schools including North Carolina and Wake Forest before ultimately committing and signing with Illinois football. The Mosinee, Wisconsin native caught 14 passes for 177 yards and one touchdown this past season. Bret Bielema and the Illini certainly seemed likely to add one tight end in the transfer portal this offseason given where their room is at. Though captain Tanner Arkin will return, there is a need for a second tight-end given the type of offense Bielema and Barry Lunney Jr like to run.

Carson Goda has run out of eligibility and Henry Boyer chose to enter the transfer portal and has committed to Kentucky. Though Cole Rusk is an intriguing option and would have likely started this past year, he is coming off a major knee injury.

What’s next for Illinois football?

For the most part, Illinois football should be set for the 2025 season. Barring any major surprises in transfer portal entries or major injuries, the Illini are returning 18 starters from their 10-win team. Star QB Luke Altmyer will return, and so will J.C. Davis, Gabe Jacas, and Xavier Scott. With Stoffel, the Illini have added ten total transfer portal players. If there are any more additions, I assume that the Illini will be adding some kind of depth to the defensive back room.

Otherwise, the Illini will start working toward the Spring game and their class of 2026.

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