Illinois Football news: Wisconsin OLB Leon Lowery Jr signs with Illini

News: Illinois football has signed their first transfer portal commitment of the 2024-2025 offseason, Wisconsin EDGE rusher, Leon Lowery Jr. Lowery Jr. is a 6 foot 3 native of New Jersey who initially started his football career at Syracuse. He played four seasons at Syracuse including a 2023 season in which he had 3.5 sacks and 46 total tackles. Lowery Jr. then transferred to Wisconsin where he had 29 total tackles and 372 total snaps.

The sixth-year EDGE rusher will certainly provide experience to a room that will likely go through some turnover with the graduation of Dennis Briggs Jr, Seth Coleman, and Te’Rah Edwards. With current outside linebackers, Gabe Jacas and Alec Bryant contemplating their futures at Illinois, Lowery Jr is a strong start for the Illini’s efforts. The Illini have some young talent in the room including rising sophomore, Joe Barna, and East St. Louis native, JoJo Hayden.

First signing of the cycle

Leon Lowery Jr will bring Big Ten experience to the Illini. He is officially the first transfer portal addition for Bret Bielema and Illinois who will certainly be active in the portal. Outside of defensive linemen, the Illini will want to add an impact offensive lineman, tight-end, and wide receiver. In today’s media availability, Bielema described the transfer portal efforts as the busiest time of his coaching career. It is nice to see some of Bielema and his staff’s efforts pay off.

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