Writing Illini
Fansided

Illinois Football: 6 transfers the Illini should pursue for 2021

By Rees Woodcock

Nov 21, 2020; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Love Smith looks toward the scoreboard during the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2020; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Love Smith looks toward the scoreboard during the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
Nov 2, 2019; South Bend, IN, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies quarterback Quincy Patterson (4) throws in the first quarter against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 2, 2019; South Bend, IN, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies quarterback Quincy Patterson (4) throws in the first quarter against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Quincy Patterson – Quarterback – RS Sophomore

There are a few positions on the Illinois football team where I can say we have solid depth. If you look at the roster, I feel comfortable with what the Illini have at quarterback.

COVID-19 has sent the college football world into a spin, but one thing it did for Illinois was force the program to go to their backup quarterbacks. In the first five games this season, the Illini have started four different quarterbacks behind center.

The trial by fire style of play due to COVID-19 has enabled the Illinois coaching staff to see what they have in live game action at the quarterback position. With the being said, behind Brandon Peters, there isn’t much in the way of experience besides what we have seen this year.

Isaiah Williams is clearly the quarterback of the future, but it wouldn’t hurt to maybe have a little more competition. Someone like transfer Quincy Patterson would help improve the quarterback depth chart.

A 6-foot-4, 232-pound dual-threat quarterback out of Solorio Academy in Chicago, Illinois, Patterson was a wanted man when he was entering the college ranks. He was a four-star recruit who was ranked as the No. 275 player in the class of 2018.

When Patterson was originally being recruited, he had a number of great programs coming after him. The star quarterback was smart and his quarterback play was described as, “he’s got Cam Newton and Andrew Luck qualities,” by former NFL quarterback Trent Dilfer.

There was some mutual interest between Illinois and Patterson on the recruiting trail, but the talented Chicago native decided to pick Virginia Tech as his landing spot. A redshirt in year one was followed up by a redshirt freshman season that saw Patterson go 14-of-37 for 257 yards, 2 touchdowns and 1 interception.

After a few games in 2020 where Patterson was 7-of-10 for 93 yards and 2 touchdowns, the former top 300 recruit decided it was time to transfer out of the Hokies’ program. He is now on the move.

Bringing a quarterback back home who has the talent of Patterson would be big for the Illini. The worst thing that could happen is that he raises the level of play of the other quarterbacks on the roster. Patterson has a lot of star potential and would be a great addition to the Illinois football program.

Home/Illinois Football