News: Illinois Football Lands Penn Transfer DL Carter Janki

News: It’s been a busy day in the transfer portal for Illinois Football, as Penn University defensive lineman Carter Janki gives the Fighting Illini their second defensive portal addition on Sunday (1/4) — committing to the Fighting Illini with one season of eligibility remaining.

NEWS: Illinois Football has added Penn DT Carter Janki. Janki earned First Team All-Ivy honors in 2025 with 42 tackles, 9.0 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks

One Year of eligibility remaining for Janki pic.twitter.com/foulU7kioD

— Armchair Illinois (@ArmchairIllini) January 4, 2026

Over the course of four seasons in Philadelphia (two as a starter), the All-Ivy League senior totaled 78 tackles and 7 sacks for the Quakers. In addition, the senior racked up 39 solo tackles, 2 passes defensed, a forced fumble during that time, with a team-leading 4 sacks in 2025.

Undoubtedly, Janki is a chaos creator who gives Illinois a really solid, seasoned addition to Aaron Henry’s defense. With Curt Neal hitting the transfer portal, as well as Gabe Jacas, and James Thompson Jr potentially headed to NFL Careers, Janki is certainly a welcome addition to the front 7, who can provide leadership to the likes of Joe Barna, Angelo McCullom, Pat Farrell, and others.

Certainly, there will be other additions to the front seven, but, this is a very solid start.

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