News: Gentle Hunt Commits to Illinois Football

News: Gentle Hunt Commits to Illinois Football

News is breaking on Wednesday morning (5/15) that Illinois Football had picked up their third transfer portal addition of the off-season. According to Matt Zenitz of 24/7 Sports, Florida A&M defensive lineman Gentle Hunt, has committed to Illinois. The grad transfer was a three-time all-conference player for the Rattlers from 2021-2023, wreaking havoc on SWAC offensive lines. The Illini saw the D-Line as a priority in the portal for roster building and made quick work of snagging Hunt. A highly productive veteran player, who can come in and play a heavy amount of snaps for coach Terrance Jamison.

The expectation is that former Florida A&M three-time all-conference defensive lineman Gentle Hunt is going to transfer to Illinois, a source tells @247Sports.

Posted 89 tackles, 24 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks the last three years at Florida A&M.https://t.co/OaDQsh3TZ2 pic.twitter.com/CE0eujqkvE

— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) May 15, 2024

Gentle Hunt

On Sunday (5/12), Illinois football offered Florida A&M defensive Lineman Gentle Hunt. As a senior, Hunt earned All-SWAC honors in 2023 after totaling 32 tackles, 11 for loss, and 5.5 sacks for the Rattlers. Standing in at 5’11 and 290 lbs, he is a bit undersized for his position. However, Gentle’s quick twitch ability, and strength led to high productivity play. Illinois now has the chance to lock down the native of Gainesville Florida, who will be visiting Champaign in the near future. The Illini are Hunt’s biggest power-5 offer thus far, and coach Terrance Jamison is in a good position to lock down another quality transfer for the room.

LOCKED IN 🔒 pic.twitter.com/CUUlxi4ncT

— Gentle Hunt (@gentlelh83) May 15, 2024

WATCH

Impact

Certainly, D-Line is a position where NFL attrition has taken a major effect on the Illini roster. The “Law Firm” of Keith Randolph and Johnny Newton just recently departed Illinois Football for the NFL. Opening two major holes on the Illini’s defensive line. Coach Terrance Jamison brought in transfers like Auburn DL Enyce Sledge , as well as Florida State DL Dennis Briggs Jr to fill the voids. The unit seemingly had good spring with the new additions. Of course, despite the re-transfer of Youngstown State DL Anthony Johnson.  However, roster moves happen, and coach Terrance Jamison now added to the room.

Coach Bielema has been high on Alex Bray and Terah  Edwards. However, there is not a ton of proven experience here. As we know in the Big Ten, injuries happen quite often on the line of scrimmage. As a result, Illinois must be well-equipped with productive depth pieces. Gentle was really good at FAMU, and brings the experience needed to be a leader in the Big Ten.

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