News: Illinois Football Running Backs Suffer a Massive Transfer Portal Loss

With the Transfer portal set to close on April 25th, an unexpected entry has struck the Illinois Football roster, with spring football nearing its conclusion.

According to a report from Hayes Fawcett of On3, Illini running back Josh McCray has decided to enter the transfer portal and seek a fresh destination to finish out his final season of eligibility.

With starter Kaden Feagin banged up for much of Illinois’s historic 2024 season, McCray took the lead in the ground game, racking up 609 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on 117 carries, with an average of 5.2 yards per attempt—plus a receiving score in addition. His much-needed production was crucial to the Illini’s offensive success and played a key role in Illinois winning 10 games for the first time since 2001—all sealed by a massive performance in Illinois Citrus Bowl victory over South Carolina, where he was named MVP.

Can the Illini offense withstand the loss?

BREAKING: Illinois RB Josh McCray plans to enter the Transfer Portal, he tells @on3sports

The 6’1 235 RB played in all 13 games this season

Was named the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl MVP after rushing for 114 Yards & 2 TDs vs South Carolina https://t.co/RlUbB6EMhS pic.twitter.com/8zhvBweoBO

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) April 15, 2025

Can Illinois Football Withstand the Loss?

Barry Lunney Jr.’s offense will definitely miss that kind of experience and talent—especially from a guy like McCray, who fits the Big Ten mold of big, tough rushers. That said, with a healthy Kaden Feagin (junior) set to return in 2025, along with speedy sophomore Ca’Lil Valentine and junior Aidan Laughery, Thad Ward’s running back room still looks solid heading into the final stretch of spring ball.

Of course, Illinois Football is always looking to build as much quality depth as possible, and a loss like this is far from ideal—especially when you’re losing a culture guy like Josh. But in today’s college football landscape, with NIL and the Transfer Portal, you just can’t keep ’em all.

There’s no doubt McCray will have a strong market. Whoever lands him is getting a good one.

Dec 31, 2024. Orlando, FL, USA. Illinois Fighting Illini running back Josh McCray (6). Camping World Stadium. Credit: Jeremy Reper. Imagn Images.