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Illinois Football: 5 graduate transfer quarterback options for the Illini

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - NOVEMBER 05: Fans wave the 'Hail to the Orange' flag over Dad's day as the Illinois Fighting Illini take on the Michigan State Spartans during the Big Ten Conference game on November 5, 2016, at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - NOVEMBER 05: Fans wave the 'Hail to the Orange' flag over Dad's day as the Illinois Fighting Illini take on the Michigan State Spartans during the Big Ten Conference game on November 5, 2016, at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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SHREVEPORT, LA – DECEMBER 26: NC State quarterback Jalan McClendon (2) looks for a receiver in the Camping World Independence Bowl between the Vanderbilt Commodores and the NC State Wolfpack on December 26, 2016, at Independence Stadium in Shreveport, La. (Photo by John Bunch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images).
SHREVEPORT, LA – DECEMBER 26: NC State quarterback Jalan McClendon (2) looks for a receiver in the Camping World Independence Bowl between the Vanderbilt Commodores and the NC State Wolfpack on December 26, 2016, at Independence Stadium in Shreveport, La. (Photo by John Bunch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images). /

1. Jalan McClendon

The first transfer option for the Illinois football team in 2018 is Jalan McClendon. He is a 6-foot-5, 221-pound graduate transfer from North Carolina State.

McClendon has been a backup for much of his career with the Wolfpack. This past season, he only threw three total passes for 17 yards. His best season came two years ago when he threw for 176 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

Coming out of high school, McClendon was a highly decorated recruit. He was rated as a four-star recruit who was the No. 273 player in the class of 2014 and the No. 12 player in the state of North Carolina. He is now looking for a new home after deciding to graduate. He will have one year of eligibility remaining.

Illinois is in a precarious situation as far as the quarterback situation goes. They just had two quarterbacks leave because they saw the writing on the wall of being third and fourth string at best.

The Illini only have one quarterback on scholarship right now – Cam Thomas – and one coming in from the class of 2018 – MJ Rivers. But, Illinois needs more depth and a graduate transfer would give some experience to the Illini. But, I don’t think McClendon is the way to go if Lovie wants to go in the transfer direction for a year.

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