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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 /
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Mississippi State’s Garrett Shrader (6) scores a touchdown to give MSU a 14-0 lead in the second quarter. Mississippi State and Ole Miss played in the Egg Bowl on Thursday, November 28, 2019 at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville.2019 Egg Bowl
Mississippi State’s Garrett Shrader (6) scores a touchdown to give MSU a 14-0 lead in the second quarter. Mississippi State and Ole Miss played in the Egg Bowl on Thursday, November 28, 2019 at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville.2019 Egg Bowl /

5. Garrett Shrader – Quarterback – Sophomore

I have already named one transfer quarterback in Quincy Patterson so far. But the more irons in the fire the better when it comes to the transfer market.

A newly listed transfer who is looking for a new home is Garrett Shrader. A talented power-five quarterback, Shrader would be a great option for the Orange and Blue.

Shrader was a dual-threat quarterback coming out of Charlotte Christian High School in Charlotte, North Carolina. He was rated as a four-star recruit who was the No. 238 player in the class of 2019 and the No. 7 dual-threat quarterback in the nation.

A ton of teams were after Shrader, including the likes of Alabama. But the talented quarterback picked Mississippi State. In 10 games as a freshman with the Bulldogs, Shrader was 88-of-153, which is a 57.5-percent completion percentage. He also threw for 1,170 yards, 8 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. On the ground, the North Carolina native was even more effective, rushing for 587 yards and 6 touchdowns.

Mississippi State went through a coaching change in 2020, though. Shrader only had a chance to play in one game this season and it was at wide receiver. With all of the change going on within the Bulldogs’ program, Shrader is now looking for a new home.

As mentioned in the Patterson slide, Illinois’ future is likely to be Isaiah Williams. But there is nothing wrong with some healthy competition. I want the Illini to have a great program that wins on a yearly basis. Shrader could help us get to that point.

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