Illinois Football: Myles Brennan should be a target for the Illini

The Illinois football program fell to 3-6 after a disappointing loss last weekend to Rutgers.

This loss pretty much put the Illini out of any chance for a bowl game barring some great run that includes a victory over another top 25 program. With that being said, it is time to start evaluating where we are as a program.

Every position should be looked at and combed through. I think a majority of Illinois fans would say the biggest issue on the team right now is at quarterback. That is why I think Bret Bielema and the Illini should take a look at a high-profile transfer quarterback who just entered the portal days ago.

Illinois football should shoot their shot with LSU transfer, Myles Brennan.

Listen, I realize things haven’t gone well at Illinois with transfer quarterbacks recently, but this seems like a good fit considering what both sides want out of the relationship.

Illinois benefits

From the Illinois point of view, we need a quarterback who can actually throw the ball down the field with some accuracy.

This isn’t just a statement about the current quarterback room for the Illini. I am talking historically, Illinois hasn’t been able to move the ball down the field very well. There are only a few names that come to mind, like Kurt Kittner, Tony Eason, and Jeff George, who could really spin it. I am sure I am missing a few names, but you get the point.

Just this season alone, Illinois quarterbacks are a combined 128-of-253 for 1,304 yards, nine touchdowns, and three interceptions. They are only completing 50.6% of the passes on the season as well.

The Illini are averaging 144.9 yards per game through the air, which ranks No. 123 out of 130 teams in college football. The 50.6% completion is actually ranked worse at No. 125 out of 130 teams. The Illinois offense is ineffective for one reason and one reason only, and that is due to the fact we don’t have a passing game. We are only scoring 17.6 points per game right now, which ranks No. 117 out of 130 teams.

If we are being realistic as Illinois fans, we will realize that the starting quarterback for 2022 is not on the roster right now. This program cannot go into next season with expectations that the quarterback room will improve. That is why Brennan would be a great option for the Orange and Blue.

Myles Brennan benefits

People are going to read the title of this article and think why in the world would Brennan want to come to Illinois and play football. They haven’t been relevant in years.

According to all the reports about Brennan’s transfer, he is wanting to go to a program where he can start right away. He has one more shot to show the world he has great ability and is an NFL-level quarterback. Illinois can provide him with the starting job from the time he steps foot on campus.

While the Illini have struggled greatly at times this season, there are some nice pieces to put around Brennan too. He wouldn’t be coming into a situation that has zero talent.

Illinois’ running game could easily be one of the best in the country. Chase Brown and Josh McCray are both coming back in 2022. They would provide Brennan relief as he wouldn’t be looked upon to carry the Illini offense.

Brennan’s wide receiver room would also look pretty solid. Isaiah Williams is a legit burner who can be one of the top wide receivers in the Big Ten if he just had a quarterback to throw him the ball.

Casey Washington has the ability to be a really good player. Deuce Spann has some big catches this season and has shown flashes of greatness. Luke Ford is coming back at tight end. He was one of the best tight ends coming out of his recruiting class.

All of these playmakers have a ton of talent, but they don’t have the ability to catch passes very often due to Illinois not having a solid quarterback.

Brennan would have a chance to step into a situation where he could start for a Big Ten team from day one. He would have a coach who knows how to develop players. He would also have the talent around him to thrive.

Just think, if Brennan would come to Champaign and make Illinois into a seven or eight-win team, then his dream of making an NFL roster would most likely come true. The Illini will hopefully be a player for Brennan when it is all said and done.